1.
Why look at Staunton’s auto related architecture?
The two areas we are reviewing were passed over for designation as historic districts. There are many reasons for doing so –
owner opposition, lack of local interest or recognition of the resource, and ensuring areas with better architectural resources
were recognized before they were lost.
Many of us consider the Central Avenue long lost to urban renewal. While Urban renewal did remove residential and commercial
properties, there are remaining historic resources with unique architectural character. The remaining historic buildings have an
impact on our perception of the neighborhood. Due to deterioration and unfortunate maintenance decisions, some of the archi-
tecture is obscured and just looks messy. However, it is time we looked closer to realize the potential of the remaining historic
architectural characteristics. Staunton has realized the successful use of the “preservation” prescription in adjoining historic dis-
tricts.
Auto architecture provides a strong source of design inspiration for the Central Avenue and Greenville Avenue. The size, shape,
and scale of the buildings offer adaptability to contemporary uses. Open floor plans, sustainable low maintenance materials such
as brick and concrete, large windows offering abundant natural light, and flat roofs offering space for green roofs and solar equip-
ment.
So – where is this architecture, what are the character defining elements, and is it historic? See the Auto Hood PowerPoint
Below are examples of the potential realized when recognizing this genre of architecture.
Roanoke Virginia – auto thematic designation
http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Cities/Roanoke/128-
6361_Historic_Gas_Stations_Roanoke_MPD_2012_NRHP_draft_REVISED.pdf
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carlins-Amoco-Station/253733841462667
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlin%27s_Amoco_Station
http://www.roanokefreepress.com/vintage-amoco-service-station-restored-and-awarded/
Scotts Addition – Richmond VA - added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.[1]
The Scott's Addition Historic District is a national historic district located in Richmond, Virginia. The district encompasses
284 contributing buildings, 2 contributing structure, and 2 contributing objects in a largely commercial and industrial
section of Richmond. It was largely developed after 1900, and includes representative examples of the Colonial Revival,
Classical Revival, and Art Deco styles. Notable buildings include the Jones Motor Car Company (1926), the former Cadillac
and LaSalle dealership (1928), Radio WMBG Broadcasting Station (1938), Boulevard Baptist Church (c. 1916), China-
American Tobacco & Trading Company Warehouse (1920), National Biscuit Factory (Nabisco) (1923), G. F. O'Connell
House (1920), State Planters Bank & Trust Company (1948), Chevrolet Parts Depot (General Motors Corporation) ware-
house and training center (1929), Cavalier Arena Skating Rink (1940), the Binswanger Glass Factory (1946), Mid-Atlantic
Coca-Cola Bottling Company Inc. (1953), and the Seaboard Building (1956).[3]
Staunton’s roadside architecture is already noted:
http://www.roadarch.com/gas/vaice.html
http://www.roadarch.com/gas/vacan.html
http://www.roadarch.com/showrooms/va.html
http://www.roadarch.com/gas/va.html
http://theurbanfarmhouse.net/scotts-addition/