Old Towne Historic District

The original town, laid out in half acre lots along the Appomattox River, was called "River", "Main", and "Old" Street throughout its life, until it changed to Grove Avenue earlier this century. It contains the largest number of 18th century buildings of any neighborhood in the city. In 1762, the town expanded up the hill to include a second development known as "New Town" or "High Street". Here, many of Petersburg"s most notable houses were built during the 18th and 19th century. The city's oldest structure, known as the Young Ladies Boarding House, was constructed in 1764. The broad range of building types in the Old Towne Historic District, from the modest 18th century houses of Grove Avenue, and the one-story frame worker's cottages on Cross Street to the mansions of High Street and the fine federal townhouses and stores downtown, make this area one of the most varied and exciting historic neighborhoods in Virginia.