Wasena Historic District

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
Wasena Historic District is located in Virginia
Wasena Historic District
Wasena Historic District is located in the United States
Wasena Historic District
LocationWiley Dr., Winchester, Winona, Wasena, Howbert, Valley, Hamilton, Kerns, Floyd & Summit Aves., Brighton Rd., Roanoke, Virginia
Coordinates37°15′45″N 79°57′40″W / 37.26250°N 79.96111°W / 37.26250; -79.96111
Area174 acres (70 ha)
Builtc. 1900 (1900)-1960
Architectural styleBungalow/Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Prairie School, Ranch
NRHP reference No.11000984[1]
VLR No.128-6269
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJanuary 3, 2012
Designated VLRJune 16, 2011[2]

History

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The 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 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

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  1. ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties. National Park Service. January 13, 2012.
  2. ^ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ a b Holland, Tiffany. "Region businesses prep like it's 1985." Roanoke Times, The (VA), October 2, 2015: A7.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Adams, Mason. "Wasena's renaissance is progressing steadily." Roanoke Times, The (VA), December 28, 2012: A7.