More Big Lumber
Miller & Miller 324 South Sixth Street Established, 1895
[RVCJ03] — facing southwest towards Gamble’s Hill — circa 1903
Got wood?
(LOC) — Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Richmond (1905) — Plate 11
Continuing the exploration of RVA’s turn-of-the-century lignum industria magnus, one finds that Montague Manufacturing Company was in close proximity to several competitors.
[RVCJ03] — the studs of Miller & Miller — circa 1903
Close inspection of the Engelhardt print above shows the business nestled in a wedge of land just south of the Kanawha Canal. Pratt’s Castle is clearly visible on the hill at right, and Tredegar Iron Works at left.
July 2017 — facing southwest towards Gamble’s Hill
Miller & Miller manufactured sashes, doors, blinds, packing cases, and crates, with a specialty in store fixtures and fine interior finishes. Today, the area on which the plant stood has been long consumed by the voracious Downtown Expressway.
W.J. Whitehurst 1001 Byrd Street Established, 1882
[RVCJ03] — facing southeast towards Byrd and Tenth Streets — circa 1903
North of the canal, just four blocks east, stood W.J. Whitehurst. To the right one can see the Southern Railway Depot, located at Fourteenth & Canal Streets, which had been built in 1900.
(LOC) — Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Richmond (1905) — Plate 15
Similar to both Montague and Miller & Miller, W.J. Whitehurst manufactured sash, blinds, doors, and other building materials. What matters a little friendly competition between rivals?
[RVCJ03] — the chief stud hisself — circa 1903
There was plenty of business to go ‘round. The houses and apartment buildings in the emerging neighborhoods at the turn of the century, such as the Fan, Oregon Hill, or Jackson Ward, are likely to contain products produced from one or another of these Giants of the Wood Biz.
July 2017 — facing northeast towards Byrd & Tenth Streets
While this area north of the canal survived the Expressway, the face of the landscape has changed considerably. Given downtown’s recent penchant for construction of large public buildings (McGuire/Woods, the new Dominion office tower), it’s going to continue.
Source
[RVCJ03] Richmond, Virginia: The City on the James: The Book of Its Chamber of Commerce and Principal Business Interests. G. W. Engelhardt. 1903.