Downtown
Must-See RVA! — John D. Smith House
A look into the history of Richmond places that are still part of our landscape.
2617 East Franklin Street
Built, 1856
VDHR 127-0192
The latest of the three houses illustrated is that of John D. Smith, an upholsterer and paper-hanger, at 2617 East Franklin. Built in 1856, this house remained in the family of Mr. Smith until 1900.
![[HOR]](https://rvahub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/John-D-Smith-House-2.jpg)
[HOR]
This whole block between Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh is an interesting example of the houses built in the late ’fifties under neo-Greek influence. The location is particularly impressive, the back porches sharing a magnificent view over the James River.
(Library of Congress) — Beers Illustrated Atlas of the Cities of Richmond & Manchester, 1877 — Plate M — showing ownership by Maria Smith
The Smith house was the most satisfactory of those still remaining, until its step-gables were injured in a storm a few years ago and replaced by simple slanting gables. A comparison of its present appearance with our photograph demonstrates forcibly the charm that this type of gable-end added to a dwelling. [HOR]
June 2019
There are two John D. Smiths, both buried in Hollywood Cemetery, dying in 1861 and 1867 respectively. Neither left much in the way of a public record, so it’s not possible to tell who was the actual owner of the house or to say much more about it.
(ProQuest® Sanborn Maps Geo Edition™) — Sanborn Insurance Maps of Richmond (1925) — Plate 208 — showing concrete steps between Franklin & Main Streets
However, the house’s position at the southwest intersection of Franklin and Twenty-Seventh Streets is interesting to note. As you can see in the Beers map above, Twenth-Seventh used to extend all the way to Main Street, which would have made for a steep road similar to nearby Twenty-Third Street. The Sanborn maps of 1905 show this road still in place, but by 1925 it had been replaced by the concrete steps which remain today.
(John D. Smith House is part of the Atlas RVA! Project)
Print Sources
- [HOR] Houses of Old Richmond. Mary Wingfield Scott. 1941.
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Community
Shootings on July 3rd and Early July 4th Result in a Death and Six Injuries
Two separate unrelated incidents occurred. One at City Dogs in the Fan and another near Cyber Café on Broad Street.
West Main Street Death Investigation
Sunday, July 3, at approximately 10:26 p.m., officers were called to the 1300 block of West Main Street for the report of random gunfire. RPD officers responded and located an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.
Anyone with information about this death investigation is asked to contact
Major Crimes Detective A. Coates at (804)-646-0729 or Crime Stoppers at
(804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.
This RVA/Reddit thread has some unconfirmed details and first-hand reports on the City Dogs shooting.
Update July 5th:
Arrest Made, Victim Identified in West Main Street Homicide and Aggravated Assaults
The Richmond Police Department has charged the suspect in yesterday’s shootings on West Main Street. Derrick Adjei, 24, of Alexandria, Virginia, was taken into custody by Virginia State Police last night at approximately 11:01 p.m. after the vehicle Adjei had been operating was involved in a single vehicle collision on northbound I-95.
RPD detectives, investigating the West Main Street shooting, have charged Adjei with malicious wounding. Other charges are pending. A booking photo of Adjei is not yet available.
Detectives have identified the victim of the shooting as Kyle Stoner, 36, of Richmond. Sunday at approximately 10:28 p.m., officers were called to the 1300 block of West Main Street for the report of a shooting. RPD officers responded and located an adult male, Stoner, on a patio of a business, down and unresponsive suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.
An adult female and an adult male were also injured during the incident and have received treatment for injuries that were not considered life threatening.
Anyone with further information about this incident is asked to contact Major Crimes Detective A. Coates at (804)-646-0729 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.
West Broad Street Shooting
At approximately 3:39 a.m., Richmond Police officers responded to the report of random gunfire in the 00 block of West Broad Street. Six people were reported shot near the Cyber Café, an after-hours club including four adult males and two adult females.
Of the six who sustained gunshot wounds, two are considered life-threatening and four non-life threatening. One man was transported by ambulance, others were self-transported to the hospital for treatment.
There is no public threat at this time.
Anyone with information about this shooting investigation is asked to call Detective Reyes at (804) 646-3874 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.
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LaDiff the hip furniture store left Shockoe Bottom for the sweet, sweet Southside. Now after 8 months their new location is open. They’re calling it an extremely soft opening so walls are still getting painted, product being placed, and outdoor furniture won’t be available until next spring.
You can get all the details on their website.
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Community
Attention River Lovers Huguenot Flatwater Work Day on Saturday
The universal access ramp is done at Huguenot Flatwater but there is still some finishing touches that need to be made to the are.
Message from James River Outdoor Coalition
Needs plans for your Saturday? Come help out your local park system at the JROC project! We need LOTS of hands to prep the grounds at Huguenot Flatwater for the opening of the new universal access ramp!
We’ll be digging out and painting parking blocks, clearing debris, and opening up the area around the ramp. There’s more work to be done at the Western Overlook if we have enough help.
Meet at 9:00AM this Sat. 6/18 at Huguenot Flatwater in the James River Park System.