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One of America's most beautiful boulevards, tree-lined Monument Avenue is the only street in the United States that is a National Historic Landmark. It runs through the heart of Richmond's historic Fan District and was originally built as an extension of Franklin Street (already an established neighborhood) toward the Lee Monument. The avenue eventually became a sought after neighborhood and continued west over many years following the placement of new monuments along the street. The type and style of architecture seen in the homes, churches and apartment buildings that line the avenue range from English Tudor, Colonial, Georgian, Spanish, Jacobean, Beaux Arts to Italianate. The avenue stretches into Henrico County and ends at Horsepen Road running five miles in length. Monument Avenue has a wide, two-lane street on both sides of the generous median, going east and west. Take a look at some photographs of the avenue, its houses and monuments below:
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Records 1 - 6 of 6  The Robert E. Lee Monument
General Robert E. Lee, known for his brilliant strategy and audacity in the Seven Days Battle and the Battle of Chancellorsville, is the only person ever offered the command of two opposing armies. He led the Army of Northern Virginia from June 1, 1862, through many fierce battles including the Battle of Gettysburg eventually surrendering at Appomatox Court House on April 9, 1865. The Lee monument was unveiled May 29, 1890 at the intersection of Monument and Allen as the first to line the avenue. Facing South, Lee's statue is an "equestrian" monument rising high above the street as he holds the reigns to the head of his bowing horse. large image
 The J.E.B. Stuart Monument
Major General James Ewell Brown Stuart, a legendary figure of the Confederate army, is considered to be one of the greatest cavalry commanders in America. Stuart fought in many battles including Seven Days, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In 1864, at the age of 31 years old, he was mortally wounded at Yellow Tavern on the outskirts of Richmond. The gateway to Monument Avenue (Franklin Street becomes Monument Avenue at Lombardy) starts at the Stuart monument, unveiled on May 30, 1907. The statue faces East and shows Stuart with his famed plumed hat and cloak looking right with a staid expression and his horse in a fiery pose. large image
 Jefferson Davis Monument
Jefferson Davis, the first and only President of the Confederacy, was an orator, statesman and politician including positions as a United States Congressman, Senator, and Secretary of War. He was an ardent defender of the rights of the South and the institution of slavery. Davis died on December 6, 1889 and was buried in New Orleans, Louisiana. His body was moved to Richmond in 1893. Just days later after Stuart, Davis' monument was dedicated on June 3, 1907. His monument is lined with a row of thirteen Doric columns, representing eleven seceding states and the two states who sent representatives to the Confederate Congress, with a central pedestaled figure of Davis. large image
 The "Stonewall" Jackson Monument
Lieutenant General "Stonewall" Jackson's full name was Thomas Jonathan Jackson. Jackson was given the nickname for bravery at the first Battle of Manassas (Bull Run), "standing like a stone wall." General Jackson was instrumental in the Confederate victories at Second Manassas, Antietem, and the Battle of Chancellorsville. Jackson died at age 39, as a result of "friendly fire" at Chancellorsville in 1863, after some of his own men mistook him in the darkness and shot him. His monument was unveiled on Oct. 11, 1919 sitting at the corner of Monument Avenue and the Boulevard. His statue faces North with Jackson sitting on his horse holding his reigns in his left hand and his hat in his right. large image
 The Matthew Fontaine Maury Monument
Known as the ""The Pathfinder of the Seas", Maury published writings about sea navigation, oceanography and meteorology, creating "the science of the physical geography of the sea." Maury developed a system of recording the oceanographic data of naval vessels and merchant marine ships and is credited with inventing the electronic torpedo. He died on February 1, 1873 and was temporarily buried in Lexington, Virginia. Maury's body was then moved to Hollywood Cemetery. Unveiled in 1929, the Maury Monument sits at the corner of Monument and Belmont Avenue. Maury faces East and is seated in front of a large globe with figures struggling with the storms (the sea) and the land (the farm). large image
 The Arthur Ashe Monument
Arthur Robert Ashe Jr., had a tremendous impact on the youth of America during his lifetime with achievements as an athlete, scholar and humanitarian. His professional tennis career was impressive, winning 51 titles including the Australian Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon. After his decade-long tennis career, he became an author, prominent speaker and social activist dedicating himself to tearing down the barriers of poverty, privilege, racism and social stereotyping. His monument dedication and unveiling ceremony on July 10, 1996 drew thousands of spectators. His statue faces West and Ashe is depicted carrying books in one hand and a tennis racket in the other with children surrounding him. large image
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