Commerce Street Industrial Historic District, Petersburg, VA, listed on the NRHP in Virginia
Commerce Street Industrial Historic District is a 9-acre area in Petersburg, Virginia, made up mainly of factory buildings from the early 1900s. The district contains four major structures: the Petersburg Trunk and Bag Company, Titmus Optical Company, Rogers and Madison Trunk Corporation, and Southern Chemical Company, all built of brick with simple forms and large windows for factory work.
The district developed in the late 1800s and early 1900s as Petersburg became a center for industry and manufacturing, supported by its location near rivers and transportation routes. The area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 and expanded again in 2012 to include additional warehouses and smaller industrial buildings.
The district shows how factory workers and their families lived alongside industrial operations, with simple cottages placed near large brick factories. This spatial arrangement reflects how work and home life were intertwined in the industrial city.
Many buildings in this district are privately owned and not open for tours, but can be viewed from the street. Plan a leisurely walk through the quiet streets to observe the brick facades and window designs while respecting private property.
The district contains a group of workers' cottages in its southwestern section, simple homes built specifically for factory workers that are rarely seen in industrial areas today. These modest houses give visitors insight into how factory families lived during the early industrial period.
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