Most of the postcards of Petersburg focus on Sycamore Street. It expanded southward in stages throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries and became southside Virginia’s retail center.
During this period as the street expanded and businesses came and went new postcards were produced as a record of these changes. Petersburg has also seen it share of devastating fires. These have reshaped this part of Sycamore Street as can be seen in the photo below. It was photographed not far from this location.
Sycamore Street after a devastating fire.
The court house clock tower can be seen in the background.
The location depicted here was a frequent spot for photos looking both north and south. Many of these photos would become postcards! This particular postcard records Sycamore Street over a century ago with East Tabb Street to the left of the image.
