East Radford Historic District, c. 1950 Photo courtesy of Virginia Main Street Program

Radford is located in southwestern Virginia on the banks of the New River. The area that would become modern-day Radford was settled by Colonel Edward Hammet and Dr. John Blair Radford in the 1830s. Development of a village at the site was spurred by the arrival of the region's first railroad in June of 1854. A depot was built and the new village was named "Central Depot" because of its location midway between Lynchburg and Bristol, Tennessee. Over the next 25 years, Central Depot grew slowly and the railroad was the largest employer. In 1881, the railroad, then owned by Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio railroad, was sold to Norfolk & Western, which replaced the tracks with new steel rails.

The new railroad introduced an era of coal and freight transportation, accelerated industrialization and population growth. Similar growth was also seen in nearby Marion because of the new rail system. In 1885, the village became an incorporated town and its name changed to Central City. The boundaries of the newly incorporated Central City correspond to those of the East Radford Historic District. In the 1890s, the community changed names yet again from Central City to East Radford. West Radford, adjacent to East Radford, grew as a separate community. Commercial areas in East and West Radford were focused on the railroad, but the East became the chief commercial center and the West became the sector for heavy industry, including iron, steel and chemical production. Today, the two areas are both incorporated as part of Radford.

Historic photo of East Radford Historic District Photo courtesy of Virginia Main Street Program

In 1910, the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford was established, and contributed to the growth of the community in the 20th century. In 1944, the university was consolidated with the Virginia Polytechnic Institute as its Women's Division and renamed Radford College. In 1979, the school received university status and today enrolls more than 9,000 students. After becoming an independent university in 1964, Radford continued to extend the community's commercial and intellectual life, and the population pressures for housing near the school affected the development of the district, encouraging the construction of stores, houses and apartment buildings.

With the opening of I-81 in the 1970s, the waning influence of the railroad and the downsizing of older industrial operations in town, Radford began seeing a decline in its historic commercial area. In 1989, Radford became a designated Virginia Main Street community and in 2000 the East Radford Historic District was listed in the National Register. Main Street Radford spearheads revitalization efforts in the community.

The East Radford Historic District is bounded by Norwood, Stockton and Downey sts., and Grove Ave. Main Street Radford is located at 27 West Main St. and is open 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday-Friday. For more information about shopping, dining and events in downtown Radford, call Main Street Radford at 540-577-5587.

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