Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 03/07/2007
NRHP Listing Date 05/02/2007
NRHP Reference Number 07000395
An outgrowth of segregation, Fayette Street Historic District became the heart of the Black community in the city of Martinsville from 1900 until the mid-20th century, when the civil rights movement led to the end of racially segregated public facilities. African Americans established public schools, churches, businesses, and centers for recreation and entertainment along the 16-block stretch of the street. The Fayette Street community’s success made it a regional attraction for African Americans, particularly for its business and entertainment facilities. However, as political and educational integration slowly took hold in Virginia and Martinsville in the 1960s, Fayette Street was no longer viable as a self-sustaining neighborhood. The new, outward-looking perspective of the community brought to an end distinctive neighborhood traditions such as the annual June German Ball, and urban renewal projects of the 1970s led to the loss of several well-known buildings and businesses. Recently, however, there has been renewed interest in the African American heritage of the Fayette Street Historic District, with the highlighting of its history on a state highway marker, and economic revitalization.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: August 22, 2022
