After riding my bike down Richmond-Henrico Turnpike for the last 6 months headed to and from work, I finally decided to learn a little about the community I ride through.
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Begun as an area of development in Henrico County, Virginia in 1890 by James H. Barton, Barton Heights rapidly developed as the result of being linked via streetcar in 1894 across the deep ravine of the Bacon's Quarter branch of Shockoe Creek, which flows into the Shockoe Valley. The area incorporated as a town in 1896, and was annexed by the city of Richmond in 1914.
The Town of Barton Heights Historic District encompasses 367 contributing buildings (305 main buildings and 62 outbuildings). They are primarily spacious wood frame houses, most built in the first quarter of the 20th century, and sited on 50-foot-wide lots. The houses are largely built in the Queen Anne or Colonial Revival style.
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The house right on the other side of the grove of trees is called Barton Mansion. This mansion is one of staple buildings in the neighborhood and has been a private home, a polio treatment center, a sanitarium, and a nursing home. In 2016, a local contractor was attempting to remodel the mansion into 17 apartment suites. I couldn't find any up to date information on how the project is turning out.
I hope you enjoy the trip through Northside. There is one parking spot right off Richmond-Henrico Hwy which will lead you right to the cache.