Wasena Historic District is a national historic district located in the Wasena neighborhood of Roanoke, Virginia. It encompasses 574 contributing buildings, 1 contributing site, 3 contributing structures, and 3 contributing objects. It is a primarily residential district with single-family dwellings. Also in the district are a few commercial buildings, several industrial buildings, a park along the river and the Wasena Bridge.
Wasena Historic District | |
 Howbert House as it appeared in 2008 | |
   | |
| Location | Wiley Dr., Winchester, Winona, Wasena, Howbert, Valley, Hamilton, Kerns, Floyd & Summit Aves., Brighton Rd., Roanoke, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°15′45″N 79°57′40″W / 37.26250°N 79.96111°W |
| Area | 174 acres (70 ha) |
| Built | c. 1900-1960 |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Prairie School, Ranch |
| NRHP reference No. | 11000984[1] |
| VLR No. | 128-6269 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | January 3, 2012 |
| Designated VLR | June 16, 2011[2] |
History
editThe district began its development with George Howbert's sale of his house and farmland to the Wasena Land Company in 1910.[3] At the time the only connection to the developed portion of the city was a wooden bridge spanning the Roanoke River; that bridge was reinforced with a steel frame concurrent to the neighborhood being graded and platted (it would be 1939 before the existing span was completed).[3][4] The oldest structure in the district is the former Howbert home, located at 918 Howbert Avenue and dating to about 1900.[3] The majority of the houses in the district date to the 1920s, though some contributing structures were built as late as the 1960s.[3] The American Craftsman-style bungalow is the dominant style and form followed by the American Foursquare (including Colonial Revival and Prairie style) and the Ranch style.[3]
In 1934, a local businessman and philanthropist donated 28 acres of land bordering the Roanoke River, which would become Wasena Park.[3] The park holds a 1930s era stone picnic shelter as well as a replica of a train station that once held the Virginia Museum of Transportation until severe flooding in 1985 forced its closure.[5] The building was renovated in 2015 and as of 2023[update] holds a restaurant.[5]A small commercial district exists in the neighborhood just south of the Wasena Bridge consisting of several one-story buildings.[3] That commercial area has seen significant revitalization in the 21st century, as has a former industrial zone in the northeast portion of the historic district.[6][7]
The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties. National Park Service. January 13, 2012.
- ^ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g Alison S. Blanton (March 2011). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Wasena Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
- ^ Chittum, Matt. "Design for new Wasena Bridge unveiled New designs for Wasena Bridge replacement feature Y-shaped piers." Roanoke Times, The (VA), February 19, 2020: 1A.
- ^ a b Holland, Tiffany. "Region businesses prep like it's 1985." Roanoke Times, The (VA), October 2, 2015: A7.
- ^ Chittum, Matt. "'Getting more done' WHT: John Garland left Roanoke's council to get back to business, and business is good." Roanoke Times, The (VA), December 24, 2019: 1A.
- ^ Adams, Mason. "Wasena's renaissance is progressing steadily." Roanoke Times, The (VA), December 28, 2012: A7.