2300 Block Monument Avenue, Richmond, Independent City, Virginia

Significance: The 2300 block of Monument Avenue is bounded by Strawberry Street (formerly Addison) on the east and Davis Avenue (formerly Cedar) on the west. This block has fewer buildings and wider lots than most other blocks on the avenue, giving it a greater sense of space, especially on the south side, where lots are typically twice and sometimes as much as three times the width of lots on the north side of the block. All nineteen of the buildings on this block are single-family houses. At the intersection of Monument and Davis avenues is the monument to Jefferson Davis, a grand Beaux Arts endeavor. A giant column surmounted by the allegorical figure Vindicatrix is framed by a Doric colonnade; the statue of Davis is overwhelmed. Richmond sculptor Edward V. Valentine designed the two figures, while local architect W.C. Noland was responsible for the elaborate setting. The site was chosen nearly a year after the design was accepted in November 1903. The statue was unveiled in June 1907.
Survey number: HABS VA-1303
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 90002098