Oregon Hill
- For the community in California formerly called Oregon Hill, see Greenville, Yuba County, California.
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Oregon Hill is a historically white working class neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia. Oregon Hill overlooks the James River and Belle Isle, and provides access to Hollywood Cemetery.
History
Oregon Hill was established during the industrial expansion during Reconstruction following the Civil War. Oregon Hill was populated by the workers from the Tredegar Iron Works and Albemarle Paper Company. It is so named because at the time of its settlement, it was very far west of the city's downtown. It was quipped that employees moving there to be close to their workplace might as well be moving westward to Oregon.
Oregon Hill Today
Oregon Hill is currently bordered by Cary St. to the north, Belvidere St. to the east, The James River and Canal to the south, and by the Hollywood cemetery and Linden St. to the west. It is located only a few blocks south of Virginia Commonwealth University. With generally low-rent dwellings, it is a popular place for students to rent houses or apartments. It is also known as a white working class enclave. Recently, there has been much development throughout Oregon Hill. This development has occurred in several forms. Infill projects have erected houses in lots that were previously vacant due to fires or other demolition. Many old buildings have either been torn down and replaced with townhouses, or renovated. As of 2007, a new townhouse complex called "The Overlook" has been mostly completed and inhabited on the blocks overlooking the James River. Possibly one of the most important sites in this neighborhood is "Moss's House." As well as the "Burrito Lounge." Up until the 1990s, original housing stock stood on and was inhabited in this area. It was demolished and the land stood vacant after 1997, during which time it was used as a riverside park overlooking the James. The complete demolition of all the houses on these 3 blocks was a source of bitter contention between the neighborhood and the Ethyl Corporation, which owned the land. Some original houses still look over the river to the west of this development. Due to the major development, and the accompanying rise in property taxes and general cost of living, many families who have lived in Oregon Hill for generations are selling their homes or finding their rents unaffordable.
Oregon Hill is now home to a new restaurant, "Pescados" a Latin/Caribbean seafood type deal. (http://www.pescadosseafood.com/) With the addition of this establishment a regular visitor or resident of Oregon Hill will notice a sharp increase in the number of old people in the area.
Oregon Hill is a popular tourist attraction in some circles due to the fact that if one were to stroll in the area they would most likely catch a glimpse of the local Wizard. He is often seen walking down the street in a white T-shirt and Jeans, sometimes with the addition of a jacket. He has a long white beard, like most Wizards, and usually has various potions and elixirs, along with other wizardly items, at hand. He mainley carries his Wizard-treasures in a plastic bag or pack. Some citizens of Richmond Virginia claim to have witnessed the Wizard transform or preform other magical miracles that were totally rad.
Oregon Hill in Popular Culture
In 1992, the country/rock band Cowboy Junkies released a song titled Oregon Hill, which features a description of the neighborhood. Avail, a punk/hardcore band based out of Richmond, often talks of Oregon Hill. In the Hiphop genre, Michael Irgens, a product of Oregon Hill, is making his name known in production and rapping under the name Mike The Martyr.
Maps
External links
Facebook Groups: "Friends of Oregon Hill" 37°32′23″N 77°27′05″W / 37.53968°N 77.45138°W
interview transcript with section on Oregon Hill [1]