Our history
Ginter Park Terrace is one of several neighborhoods developed north of the city during the early 20th century. The neighborhood was first subdivided and marketed in 1913 along the streetcar line.
The triangular-shaped Ginter Park Terrace is bordered by Brookland Park Boulevard and Ladies Mile Road, with Pollard Park serving as the gateway into the beautiful neighborhood.
Development
A streetcar suburb
When the neighborhood was first built, most residents did not own cars. Instead, they used the electric streetcar system to get to work or go shopping downtown. The streetcar lines ran along major nearby roads like Brook Road. This is why the neighborhood is laid out in a grid that is easy to walk – it was designed for people to get from their front door to the trolley stop.
The neighborhood was planned and built in the early 1900s. At that time, Richmond was expanding northward. This area was designed to be a suburban alternative to the more crowded parts of downtown.
The layout was influenced by the work of Lewis Ginter and later developers who focused on wide streets and space for yards.
“An ideal suburban community… with a clean, restful environment: no trading, no commerce, no factories, no smoke.”
Lewis Ginter Land and Improvement Company Advertisement, 1906
Architecture
Five narrow, tree-lined streets help define the neighborhood which features a variety of stylistic homes including American Foursquare, Craftsman, Colonial, Dutch, Mediterranean and Tudor Revival.
The layout was influenced by the work of Lewis Ginter and later developers who focused on wide streets and space for yards.
A historic district
The district was recognized by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. Today, the district continues to be a welcoming, charming and tranquil neighborhood just north of downtown Richmond.
Landmarks
Pollard Park serves as the central green space for Ginter Park Terrace. Located at 900 West Brookland Park Blvd., Pollard Park is named for former Democratic Governor of Virginia, Mr. John Garland Pollard (1872-1937). He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery.
Historic designations
Ginter Park Terrace Historic District (127-5678)
Virginia Landmark Register, September 8, 2004
National Register of Historic Places, December 4, 2004 (#04001292)
Ginter Park Terrace Neighborhood Association 