"A small city with a large place in history" Petersburg by b1bob

Petersburg Travel Guide: 29 reviews and 46 photos

Sycamore and Bollingbrook Streets - Petersburg

Petersburg is at a strategic location at the confluence of the Appomattox and James Rivers. The Appomattox River was a transportation lifeline for central Virginia in the early 17th Century: English settlements spread slowly up the James River from Jamestown. By 1643, the English first settled this area and called it Bristol Parish. The colonial government established a fortress at the falls of the Appomattox and named it Fort Henry, from whence Petersburg would later develop first as a launching point for trade expeditions to the west and then as a tobacco warehouse centre.

Petersburg is mainly remembered for its siege during the War Between the States, but the city also played a key role in the Revolution. Petersburg was where Lord Cornwallis met with General Phillips and decided to march to Yorktown. As the 19th Century went on, the city expanded along the river between the fortress and the market area. Tobacco remained the cash crop and the advances of transport (canals, steamboats, and railroad) added to the region's industrial growth.

Due to its location at the confluence of two rivers and its importance in transport, Petersburg was critical to the outcome of the War Between the States. General Grant believed that if he could capture Petersburg, Richmond would soon fall. It took ten months to capture, but once it fell, Richmond quickly followed suit.

Since its founding early in Virginia's history, Petersburg has been the gateway to and a centre of activity for the whole of Southside Virginia. It is large enough (as of 2000: round about 38000) to offer all the goods and services the region needs, but small enough to keep its small-town Southern charm. For me personally, I must have passed by here hundreds of times on the way to Southside Virginia, but I almost never stopped. In mid-October, 2008, I took my first in-depth look together with David "Karnubawax". A year and a half later, I brought Jimmy "brazilnut30" here to do basically the same thing, but with a few different things.

This page will also contain a few tips from nearby Hopewell and Colonial Heights.

Pros and Cons

Pros:The historical old town has been restored to its former glory.
Cons:Outside the tourist area, crime is a big problem.
In a nutshell:Petersburg is a great historic area that still has a long way to go.

Last visit to Petersburg: Apr 2010
Intro Updated Apr 30, 2010
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Reviews (25)

Brick House Run Things to Do (12)

The Brick House Run pub, at the bottom of the Friend House at Cockade Alley and Bollingbrook Street, was substantially... more travel advice

Andrade's International Restaurant - Petersburg

(Way) South of the Border in Petersburg Restaurants (2)

I have to give thanks to the folks at the visitors centre for recommending this place to Jimmy and me. We had thought... more travel advice

sidewalk art on Sycamore Street - Petersburg

Sidewalk Art Local Customs (2)

I guess this art was sanctioned by the city and it's not some very good artist destined to see his work destroyed as the... more travel advice

Trapezium House Things to Do (12)

This curious bit of architecture was built for Charles O'Hara round about 1817. Local legend has it that they built it... more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All Greyhound-Trailways bus station
Favorites (5)
See All Southside Railroad Station

Shopping (2)
See All antiquing in Petersburg
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Comments (14)

Raimix May 19, 2010 at 8:26 AM Report Abuse

Great page of historical place! I love the way that place still have quite old architecture!
cachaseiro May 6, 2010 at 3:45 PM Report Abuse

excellent updates nat. and thanks for the mail describing your weekend there in details.
matcrazy1 Apr 30, 2010 at 10:18 PM Report Abuse

Very interesting new tips: a lot of great architucture and good choice for food lovers.
brazilnut30 Apr 30, 2010 at 6:13 PM Report Abuse

This is a must for anyone who likes South American Cuisine!
MikeAtSea Jul 12, 2009 at 7:42 AM Report Abuse

Very historical area - magnificant page - need to explore more in the US! Michael
BruceDunning Feb 7, 2009 at 2:52 PM Report Abuse

Very good and detailed pages on the area. It is historically a show piece and peace.
XvMorgenvX Jan 23, 2009 at 8:46 PM Report Abuse

I live near this area. Downtown Petersburg is a really beautiful place. I would recommend staying in Colonial Heights and avoiding any hotels in Petersburg. Sadly, the crime rate is horrible. Most of the hotels are used for prostitution.
Jeffabu Nov 18, 2008 at 7:50 PM Report Abuse

I confirmed that Poe stayed here through some thorough research, and bought the building. The plan is to resurrect Hiram Haines original coffee house much like it was in 1836 in 2009--Poe's bicentennial.
Mikebond Nov 18, 2008 at 9:32 AM Report Abuse

Excellent page, Nat!
King_Golo Nov 9, 2008 at 4:32 AM Report Abuse

Good page, Nat. I don't know that part of the US at all, but I'm now in the mood to get to know it!