Pasture Point

Historic Pasture Point

Pasture Point

 The Pasture Point subdivision is a late-nineteenth, early-twentieth century residential neighborhood, located along the Hampton River, in Hampton, Virginia. The subdivision was first platted in 1885 following construction of the C&O rail line, which ran along the modern day route of Interstate-64. It included the entire Pasture Point peninsula and was bounded generally by the Hampton River on the north, east, and south, and Washington Street on the west.

Early development in the subdivision was moderate and focused principally along the waterfront nearest Hampton on present day Marshall, Center, and Syms Streets. It wasn’t until the expansion of the electric street car system to the subdivision in 1891 along Pembroke Avenue, Washington Street, Elm Avenue, and Marshall Street, that development of the area began at a steady pace.

Over time, the subdivision evolved into an eclectic blend of high-style homes built on large properties along the streetcar lines to smaller post-World War II infill housing, to large modern homes along the water. Because of the presence of the rail corridor and later I-64, the two sides of the neighborhood developed in differing patterns and each acquired their own unique identity. The southern area developed quickly and primarily as a result of the streetcar, while the northern area was slower to develop and did not undergo significant construction until the mid-twentieth century. The northern area has also been subject to more intensive modern development and renovation lending it a lower historic integrity than the southern area which has remained much intact from its early period of development.

Based on the developmental evolution of the subdivision and physical changes brought about by construction of the interstate, the Pasture Point Historic District is defined as that area of the initial subdivision serviced by the electric streetcar that lies south of the Interstate and east of the west side of Washington Street, which best convey the association to the streetcar and retain a dense grouping of homes from the streetcar era. During the peak period of construction in the historic district, building styles representative of nationally important architectural traditions of the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, especially the Revivals and late Victorian styles were prevalent. The more elaborate illustrations of these styles are located along East Pembroke Avenue, as it was a main road along the electric streetcar line, and along Syms and Marshall Streets, which have waterfront lots fronting the Hampton River. More modest vernacular versions of traditional house types such as craftsman and kit homes were also interspersed throughout the district. The most common building forms were two-and-a-half-story, three-bay, side-passage plan frame buildings on brick foundations with decorative shingles on the second stories and gable ends and elaborate sawn work adorning porches.

The Pasture Point Historic District retains a high degree of historic integrity from its early development as a late nineteenth and early-twentieth century residential streetcar suburb. The district retains a strong sense of place with circulation patterns and building fabric exhibiting little change since the initial development of the area. Unlike the northern portion of the original Pasture Point subdivision, the southern area that comprises the Pasture Point Historic District has only fifteen primary resources constructed post-1919 and is not encroached upon by nearby modern commercial and/or residential development, nor is it isolated from Hampton and its associated development influences by the raised I-64 corridor. Within the district, buildings from the period of significance exhibit a high degree of integrity of materials, workmanship, and design due to an overall lack of substantial modifications, additions and alterations. Those alterations or renovations that do exist are typically non-intrusive and do not significantly detract from the character or form of the original buildings. Common alterations throughout the district include window and roof replacements and reclad exteriors, all of which are reversible. A few porches have been enclosed and some small additions appended, but the homes still retain their original character and appearance. While a few garages and sheds have been added, overall since the rise of the automobile, the district has experienced very little change in its architectural character and setting.

This information can and more, can be found in the National Register of Historic Places - Pasture Point