The straightforward commercial building erected in 1921 for the Phoenix Bank of Nansemond represents the effort of Virginia African Americans to establish, out of necessity, their own business enterprises. Because White-run banks resisted extending credit to Blacks, Black businessmen created lending institutions to serve their community. Between 1900 and 1920 twenty Black banks opened in Virginia. During this period, Suffolk was gaining recognition as the “Peanut Capital of the United States.” This thriving industry brought economic gain to Black workers and the need for financial services. The Phoenix Bank was founded in 1917 by Dr. W. T. Fuller; the present building was erected by his successor, John W. Richardson. Though compact, the building was well appointed. In 1921 the Norfolk Journal and Guide described its vault as “second to none in the city as to security.” The bank closed in 1931, a victim of the Great Depression. The Phoenix Bank of Nansemond contributes to the Suffolk Historic District.
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
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DHR has secured permanent legal protection for over 700 historic places - including 15,000 acres of battlefield lands
DHR has erected 2,532 highway markers in every county and city across Virginia
DHR has registered more than 3,317 individual resources and 613 historic districts
DHR has engaged over 450 students in 3 highway marker contests
DHR has stimulated more than $4.2 billion dollars in private investments related to historic tax credit incentives, revitalizing communities of all sizes throughout Virginia