DISCOVERING DOWNTOWN SUFFOLK'S HISTORIC "NEW TOWN" NEIGHBORHOOD Preview
The Origins of Bank Street
After the American Civil War, Suffolk grew rapidly, and Bank Street emerged to meet the demand for new housing and business space beyond the crowded town center. Though some original homes and landmarks have been lost to modern development, the street’s history reflects the city’s transformation and enduring legacy.
Site of the Shoop House
Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Shoop, with roots in Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, built one of the few homes in Suffolk that was centrally heated and were active community members. Mr. Shoop took a leadership role in local businesses and civic projects. While their home was demolished many years ago, its memory, along with that of its residents, lives on through photographs and postcards.
Higher Ground Outreach Church of God in Christ
The building now known as Higher Ground Outreach has a rich history, beginning as a Presbyterian church in 1883 before becoming Suffolk’s first synagogue in 1922, and later serving as an inspiration in James McBride's memoir, The Color of Water. Over its 140 years, it has transformed with the city, representing faith, resilience, and the intertwined cultural and spiritual legacy of Suffolk’s diverse communities.
Eley-McKay House
The Eley-McKay House, located at 133 Bank Street, was originally the home of Walter Eley, a Civil War veteran, and his wife, Ida Corbell Eley, with a historical connection to Confederate General George Pickett through Ida's sister. The house remained in the Eley family for nearly a century and has recently been restored, preserving much of its original interior woodwork. (Private Residence)
Phillips-Dawson House
Horace Phillips began transforming a modest property at Franklin and Bank Streets in 1881 into a grand French Second Empire-style home, which underwent significant renovations between 1910 and 1920, including a new main entrance and interior reconfiguration. After being purchased by Dr. and Mrs. Dawson in 1941, the home became both a medical office and a cultural hub, eventually being gifted by their son Gerard to the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society, which now preserves and operates it as a historic landmark.
Trinity Church
Franklin Street, once home to 18 residences in the 1890s, has seen most of them replaced over time by churches, commercial buildings, and parking lots, with only four remaining today. The Presbyterian Church, built in 1924 at 128 Franklin Street and now occupied by Trinity Christian Church, stands as a Jefferson-inspired architectural landmark reflecting the area's historical evolution.
Smith-Folk House
The Folk House at 114 Franklin Street, a gable-roofed wood-frame home built before 1885 by Civil War veteran Thomas Smith, has retained much of its original charm. It was later home to members of the longtime local Folk family and most recently served as a law office, reflecting its rich and evolving history. (Private Residence)
Causey-Kendrick House
The Causey-Kendrick House, built in 1882 in Italianate style with distinctive architectural features, was originally owned by Confederate veteran James Colvin Causey and later became home to Marion Kelly Kendrick and his family. After Mr. Kendrick’s death in 1968, the house was sold and converted into five apartments. (Private Residence)
Truitt House
Built in 1909 for lumber magnate George W. Truitt, this 21-room home showcases exquisite woodwork, Italian marble, and a suspended staircase, making it a Virginia architectural masterpiece. After passing to the Crumpler family, it became a popular gathering place in Suffolk, with its legacy still celebrated today as a historic landmark (Private Residence).
Holland House
The Edward Everett Holland House, built in 1885, is the only privately owned property in Suffolk listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is notable for its association with the influential political figure Col. Edward Everett Holland. Holland, who served in various public offices for over five decades, made significant contributions to Virginia politics and civic life, and the house has had multiple functions, including serving as a USO club during World War II and later as apartments. (Private Residence)
Stith House
Built in 1880 by Dr. Lawrence Stith, a Confederate Army veteran and local physician, the historic home at 220 Bank Street has housed notable figures and even served as Suffolk’s first Bed and Breakfast. Today, its current owners are renovating the home while preserving its rich legacy, sharing their journey on a blog called History Keepers. (Private Residence)
Wyatt and Jones Homes
The house at 221 Bank Street, once home to the Wyatt family, has been renovated into a duplex but still retains traces of its original structure. Next door at 219 Bank Street, Frank Jones—stylish heir to a family clothing business—lived with his wife Sallie and extended family. (Private Residences)
Lehman House
The Lehman House, built in 1891 in Suffolk, Virginia, is a notable example of French Second Empire architecture and has played a significant cultural and civic role—from hosting Suffolk’s first Jewish wedding and serving as the city’s first public library to becoming a center for community events during World War II under the Suffolk Woman’s Club. Though now in disrepair, the house remains a vital symbol of Suffolk’s architectural heritage and social history, with ongoing efforts calling for its preservation.
Virginian Apartment Building
Several older homes were demolished to make way for the Virginian Apartments, constructed in 1915. Once a popular residence for young couples and single women, the American Renaissance style building still retains its original architectural charm and continues its use as an apartment complex. (Private Residences)
DISCOVERING DOWNTOWN SUFFOLK'S HISTORIC "NEW TOWN" NEIGHBORHOOD
