This postcard shows a very active Bollingbrook Street around the year 1920. One of the earliest streets to be named in Petersburg, it was the first to be surfaced in 1813. As was the custom, many of the buildings had shops on the first floor and residences above. Of note on this particular postcard is the misspelling of the street name!
Throughout the 9-month siege of Petersburg this street was a popular target for Union cannon fire during the American Civil War. Can you see the holes created by cannon balls in the homes pictured below?
The building to the left edge of the postcard was originally built in 1859 by the Petersburg Library Association. The Virginia Railway and Power Company purchased the building in 1910. It served as their Petersburg office and interurban terminal in the rear. Trolleys would travel to and from Richmond from this passenger station. The structure was demolished in 1933 after the offices and passenger station were moved to the new Electric Building. A parking lot currently occupies this location.
Two of the buildings in this image still exist today on Bollingbrook St. The Farmer’s Bank building, erected in 1817, and the Nathaniel Friend House, constructed in 1816. Both are visible to the left of this postcard. The Nathaniel Friend House can be seen in the photos below.
