Petersburg

Characterized by the remnants of cobblestone streets, notable historic landmarks and an array of eclectic storefronts, Old Towne Petersburg immerses residents in a picture of the past despite its modern-day urban surroundings. The northern border of this neighborhood is the Appomattox River, a tributary of the larger James River that flows through nearby Richmond. While Old Towne remains faithful to preserving its national historic identity, recent construction projects have helped to breathe new life into the neighborhood: “Old Towne Petersburg is being rejuvenated with an abundance of shops and restaurants,” says Cheryl Hagelstein of Front Door Realty LLC. This area is also home to a prominent arts scene and several creatively driven organizations, including the Petersburg Area Art League, the Walton Gallery and the Ward Center for Contemporary Art. A trip down Old Street illustrates the neighborhood’s unique blend of centuries-old properties and newer commercial spaces; among the historic structures is Appomattox Iron Works, an industrial iron-production complex consisting of nine buildings that were built prior to the Civil War. Right next door is the Buttery Baking House, a modern bakery with a menu full of breakfast favorites. Farther along Old Street, residents can sit down for afternoon tea at the Blue Willow Tea Room and browse collectibles in Pennistons Alley Antiques, both of which are housed in twin Federal townhouses built in 1815. Over on East Bank Street, Demolition Coffee is a popular industrial-themed café where locals flock to secure their morning caffeine. For a night on the town, Trapezium Brewing Company and Old Towne’s Alibi, a pub-style eatery, both offer a vintage atmosphere and craft drinks. 19th-century Federal and Italianate-style row houses alongside standalone brick homes reflect a large portion of the historic residential properties in Old Towne. Other commonly seen housing styles include single-family homes and townhouses that display Second Empire, traditional-style and Colonial-inspired architecture. Many of the residential properties in this area feature various brickwork constructions, vividly colorful facades and eclectic exterior finishings. Smaller remodels can be found on Pocahontas Island, the oldest and easternmost part of the neighborhood that’s home to a historically Black community and the Pocahontas Black History Museum. For the most part, homes in Old Towne tend to range in price between approximately $125,000 and $425,000. The Appomattox River provides the backdrop for much of the community’s events and offers residents convenient access to related recreational opportunities, including bass fishing, canoeing and hiking along the Appomattox River Greenway trail. One of the greenway’s several trailheads is located at Appomattox Park, a small open green space with a parking lot; an additional trailhead can be found at Patton Park, an urban green space situated just outside the neighborhood. The nearby Petersburg Family YMCA offers both indoor and outdoor recreation activities in addition to hosting fitness classes, youth programs and community-focused activities. Students in this area are zoned for Petersburg City Public Schools; young learners can jumpstart their academic journeys at Walnut Hill Elementary School, which receives a C-minus rating from Niche. Students might then head to Vernon Johns Middle School, which feeds into the C-minus-rated Petersburg High School. Although run by the Chesterfield County School district, the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology is also located in Petersburg and stands as a premier magnet school that draws students from 14 localities. One of the highlights of Old Towne’s dynamic community is the River Street Market, a weekly gathering of vendors billed as a blend of arts, produce and culture. There are also a number of historic buildings in this neighborhood that have established themselves as event spaces; the Appomattox Iron Works building uses its renovated outdoor area to host festivals such as Arborfest. The Petersburg Union Station, which finished construction in 1910, became defunct in the latter half of the 20th century and has since been transformed into a popular venue for large events and celebrations. Commuters have convenient access to Interstate 95, which runs north-south near the neighborhood’s eastern side and travels approximately 25 miles into the Richmond area. Petersburg Area Transit (PAT) operates multiple bus lines throughout the city, many of which have stops in Old Towne. PAT also operated specialized transportation and express routes to Richmond for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens.