History

The why: To preserve and protect the history of Oak Grove for future generations and the iterations of the neighborhood.

1.      To secure historic looking amenities such as pedestrian lighting, bricked sidewalks, and signage – frequency – ongoing quarterly check ins.

2.      To consolidate historical document copies, photos, to create a working document of the Oak Grove neighborhood.

Impact: By the end of 2026 to secure historical signage and historical community designation. Additionally to secure funding, resources, and preservation for Oak Grove as a whole.

Assessment: quarterly check-ins to see if there’s progress from library visits/searches, what documents can we scan and file, and to check on the historical designation.

The Oak Grove community in Richmond's Southside is a neighborhood with a rich history and a promising future.

Civil War History:

• Battle of Oak Grove (June 25, 1862):

• This battle marked the beginning of the Seven Days' Battles during the Peninsula Campaign.

• It involved Union forces under Major General George B. McClellan attempting to advance toward Richmond, and Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee defending the city.

• The battle resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with the Union forces gaining only a small amount of ground.

• This battle is a significant part of the area's historical identity.

Early History

• In 1890, the Oak Grove town site was platted, with subsequent additions and subdivisions indicating planned investment and growth following the introduction of the trolley line in 1893.

• The name "Oak Grove" was reportedly suggested by a survey team member who found a "fine grove of oak trees" in the area.

• A post office opened in Oak Grove in 1904, initially named "Creighton Station" before being changed to "Oak Grove" in 1907.

Founding and Early Development

Oak Grove originated as a small community just south of the independent city of Manchester (on Richmond’s south bank). The area was initially part of Chesterfield County and remained rural into the early 20th century . After Richmond and Manchester consolidated in 1910, the city annexed Oak Grove from Chesterfield in 1914 . Around this time, local residents established Oak Grove Elementary School (an eight-room schoolhouse built in 1913) to serve the growing community . The neighborhood’s name comes from a grove of oak trees in the area and was adopted by the school and community early on . As the population grew in the 1910s and 1920s, additional homes and school expansions followed to accommodate new residents . By the mid-20th century, Oak Grove had transitioned from farmland into a modest residential suburb of Richmond.

Mid-20th Century

• Many of the homes in Oak Grove were built in the 1920s and 1930s.

• In 1952, Hillside Court was built as public housing for white residents only, reflecting the racial segregation prevalent at the time.

Recent Developments

• Oak Grove is currently undergoing a major revitalization, with many homes being renovated and restored, and new businesses opening up.

• The neighborhood is becoming more diverse, although it still has a majority Black population.

• Efforts are being made to improve educational attainment rates in the area.

• The James River Branch Trail is being developed along an abandoned railroad corridor.

• An old tobacco factory has been repurposed into luxury apartments and residential space, symbolizing the ongoing revitalization of the area.

Oak Grove is a neighborhood in transition, with a mix of old and new, and a growing sense of community pride. It is a place where people are working to build a better future for themselves and their families.

Key Historical Events

One key turning point in Oak Grove’s history was its annexation into the City of Richmond in 1914, one year after the neighborhood school was built . This brought city services and governance, spurring further residential development. Another major event was the construction of Hillside Court in the early 1950s – a public housing project on the edge of Oak Grove. Hillside Court opened in 1953 as whites-only housing (reflecting the segregation policies of that era) . The later integration of schools and housing in the 1960s significantly impacted Oak Grove, as did the broader forces of suburbanization. Many white residents left during “white flight” in the 1960s–1970s, and Oak Grove’s racial makeup and social dynamics changed rapidly. In recent decades, the neighborhood also experienced economic challenges common to inner-city areas (such as disinvestment during the late 20th century), followed by new revitalization efforts. For example, in 2013 Richmond opened a new Oak Grove–Bellemeade Elementary School, replacing the original 1913 school and marking a commitment to reinvest in local education . Most recently, in 2024, Richmond’s City Council adopted the Oak Grove/Hillside/Bellemeade Small Area Plan to guide redevelopment and address community needs. This plan aims to improve housing, attract retail, rezone for smart growth, and prioritize longtime residents as development pressures from the Richmond Highway corridor increase  . Such initiatives show Oak Grove at another historical inflection point, balancing redevelopment with preserving its community identity.

Demographic Shifts

Oak Grove’s demographics have shifted dramatically over the past century. In the early and mid-1900s, the neighborhood was largely a working-class white community. Segregation shaped this reality – for instance, Hillside Court was explicitly intended for white tenants when it opened in the 1950s . After the Civil Rights Movement and the end of legally segregated housing, Oak Grove became predominantly African American. By the 1970s, many white families had moved to outer suburbs, and Black families made up the majority of Oak Grove’s population. Hillside Court itself, once whites-only, had become a predominantly African-American public housing community by the late 20th century . Today, Oak Grove remains majority Black, though it has a diverse population including some Latino and white residents. The median age in the community is relatively young (around 31 years), and many households are low-to-moderate income. In recent years there are signs of demographic change again, as redevelopment and rising housing costs attract new residents. Concerns about gentrification have grown as nearby Manchester and Blackwell neighborhoods redevelop, potentially shifting Oak Grove’s demographics in the coming decade .

Notable Figures and Institutions

Throughout its history, Oak Grove has been defined more by its community institutions than by famous individuals. Oak Grove Elementary School, founded in 1913, was a central institution for over a century . Generations of residents attended this school, which also hosted community meetings and events. In 2013 it merged with Bellemeade Elementary into a new facility, but the old school building at 2200 Ingram Avenue remains an iconic landmark (now being repurposed as housing) . Another important institution is Hillside Court, which, beyond housing, became a focal point for community activism and services in the neighborhood. Local churches have also played a role – for example, Redeemer Assembly of Jesus Christ (located nearby) and other congregations have provided social support in Oak Grove. While no nationally famous figures hail from Oak Grove, the area has produced notable local leaders. Longtime residents like community advocate Reva Trammell (who represents the district on City Council) have been influential in advocating for Southside neighborhoods including Oak Grove. In 2024, Oak Grove’s civic association and leaders like Rosa Jones and Barbara Goode (an Oak Grove community organizer) were actively involved in planning and discussions about the neighborhood’s future . These community figures and institutions have helped shape Oak Grove’s resilient identity over time.

Architectural History

Architecturally, Oak Grove is a primarily residential neighborhood with homes reflecting the eras of its development. Many original houses date from the 1910s–1930s, including wood-frame bungalows and simple American Foursquare or vernacular cottages built for working families. As the neighborhood expanded in the 1940s and 1950s, modest one-story ranch houses and duplexes appeared on newly laid-out streets. The overall housing stock is unpretentious – often small single-family homes on grid-patterned blocks. A few structures stand out, such as the old school building (a two-story brick institutional structure from 1913 with later additions) and some mid-century church buildings. While Oak Grove does not have grand architectural landmarks, it does possess the charm of an early-20th-century Richmond suburb. The area features mature oak trees lining the streets and a mix of preserved older homes, giving it a quiet, historic atmosphere . Unlike some Northside or downtown Richmond neighborhoods, Oak Grove’s architecture has not been extensively restored or landmarked, but many original residences still retain their historic character. Recent infill development (including new affordable housing on former school and vacant lots) is introducing contemporary designs, yet efforts are made to keep new buildings in scale with the traditional neighborhood context .

Sources

    •    Richmond Public Schools – Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary, “About OGBES” (history of Oak Grove school and annexation)  .

    •    South Richmond News – Community Plan Meeting (Jan 2025) (mentions OGHB plan goals and gentrification pressure)  .

    •    Richmond Magazine / VPM – History of Richmond’s Housing Projects (notes Hillside Court’s 1950s whites-only origin and later demographic change) .

    •    South Richmond News – Demolition of Old Oak Grove Elementary (local update on school site redevelopment) .

    •    Rent.com – Oak Grove Neighborhood Guide (describes neighborhood atmosphere and architecture) .

    •    Richmond Free Press – Coverage of Oak Grove School Redevelopment (highlights civic association involvement in planning) .

    •    South Richmond News – Volunteer Tree Plantings in Oak Grove (community-led environmental project) .