Also, please see Craigslist post by clicking here.
Black Cat “Forrest” Lost
1
New Recycling Cans
As forewarned, the new recycling containers were delivered in the neighborhood on August 10. It looks like a lot of residents are still figuring out what to do with them. Ideally, they are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. However, some Oregon Hill houses do not have alley access, and some of those do not even have easy access to their back yards. Residents should try to do the best they can to adapt. Ultimately, the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) is responsible for the roll out of the new recycling program and can answer questions. The hope is that these new recycling cans will encourage more recycling and reduce clutter and spillovers on front sidewalks. Don’t forget to sign up for “Recycling Perks”.
Keys Found In Front of Pine Street Baptist Church
RUN Official Teaser
Local horror/thriller movie that includes scenes of Lee Bridge and Belle Island…
WBCH and Rostov’s School Supply Drive: Aug. 8-15
From the William Byrd Community House (WBCH) blog:
Rostov’s Coffee & Tea is a Richmond institution and WBCH is honored to partner with them in supplying those most in need with school items to start the school year.
Rostov’s is located on 1618 W. Main Street, RVA 23220
They have over 50 types of coffee and 60 types of tea.
The supply drive will run from August 8 – 15, 2015
Rostov’s Coffee & Tea will match your school supply donation.
“OREGON HILL BEAUTIFICATION – YARD TOOLS NEEDED”
This plea came from neighbor Jimmy Blackford last week in regard to upcoming volunteer work:
Can you lend us some yard tools for a special Oregon Hill work project happening Wed & Thurs of next week (8/12 & 8/13)?
We’re scraping the grass from our brick sidewalks. So we need:
– SQUARE BLADED SHOVELS & SPADES
– WHEEL BARROWS
– HEAVY DUTY SCRAPERS
– GARDEN EDGERS
– GARDEN RAKES
If you can provide any, please contact me by phone,text or email. If possible, you can mark each item with your name using duct tape or some such thing.
Also, if you’d like to join this project, please contact me. Some 50 VCU students are volunteering in Oregon Hill for this task. It’s going from 8am-1pm on Wed & Thursday. You could join us at any time there – but the earlier the better.
Yours,
Jimmy Blackford
prairiegates@hotmail.com
(804) 335-5808
Verizon FiOS in Pleasants Park
Boot
Vehicle Crime Spree
Seems like there was a bunch of vehicle incidents in the area this past Tuesday night.
From RAIDSonline.com:
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE
4XX S LAUREL ST
Aug 4, 2015 at 9:30 pm
Data provided by Richmond Police DepartmentMOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
7XX S LAUREL ST
Aug 4, 2015 at 10:00 pm
Data provided by Richmond Police Department
Not in Oregon Hill, but close by:
TAMPERING WITH AUTO
5XX BETHANY DR
Aug 4, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Data provided by Richmond Police DepartmentTHEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE
15XX IDLEWOOD AVE
Aug 4, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Data provided by Richmond Police DepartmentTHEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE
12XX WALLACE ST
Aug 4, 2015 at 10:00 pm
Data provided by Richmond Police DepartmentMOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
13XX DANCE ST
Aug 5, 2015 at 12:30 am
Data provided by Richmond Police Department
Railroad in The Penitentiary Basin
The Penitentiary Basin was dammed at the beginning of the 19th century, between Oregon Hill and Gambles Hill and below the Va. State Penitentiary. It served as an important turning basin for canal boats traveling the James River and Kanawha Canal. Canal boats offloaded supplies, and there was a canal boat building business in the Basin. The 1876 Beers Atlas shows the Basin below Oregon Hill at a time when canal boat traffic was being replaced by the more versatile railroads. In March 1880 the James River and Kanawha Company conveyed all of the canal property to the Richmond Alleghany Railroad, and the Penitentiary Basin soon was filled in and became a busy rail yard with turntable and machine shop. The 1889 Baist Atlas shows the remarkable transition from the previous decade as the extensive railroad infrastructure replaced the canal boat traffic. The water from the James River and Kanawha Canal continued to power the waterwheels at Tredegar Iron Works well into the 20th century. The attached photograph shows a steam engine beside the canal filling up with water from the tower located at the former Penitentiary Basin. Pratt’s Castle on Gambles Hill can be seen directly above the water tower. The former Penitentiary Basin is now owned by NewMarket Corporation, and it is hoped that they will be respectful of the rich history of this site.
Photo credits:
Canal/Railroad photo, Library of Virginia;
Baist Atlas, 1889, VCU Libraries;
Penitentiary Basin, Beers Atlas, 1876, Library of Congress
