Preliminary architectural character overview of the three blocks of Oregon Hill contained by Belvidere, Cumberland, S. Cherry and Cary Street - Document

              PRELIMINARY ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER OVERVIEW
OF THE THREE BLOCKS OF OREGON HILL CONTAINED
BY BELVIDERE, CUMBERLAND, S. CHERRY AND CARY STREET
We have visited the three block area of the Oregon Hill neighborhood
bounded by Belvidere Street on the east, Cumberland Street on the
south, Cherry Street on the west and Cary Street on the north.
As you requested we have walked the area to evaluate the existing
structures for their architectural significance.  In making the
evaluation it should be noted that Oregon Hill's architectural
significance is based more on the sociological factors of its
origin and existence.  The structures as individual pieces of
architecture with some exceptions are not of architectural
significance - however, as an example of housing developed for
the workers of the tredegar iron works between approximately 1838
and 1850 the entire Oregon Hill neighborhood is significant.
This particular three block area has been severed from the main
area of Oregon Hill by the downtown expressway. It is on the
northern edge of the original neighborhood and contains some
structures which in general are of a different character and
vintage than most of Oregon Hill. Many houses in this three
block area have over the years been lost to parking lots and
commercial endeavors.
The residences that remain are varied in quality and in construction materials and are in varying degrees of repair.  Some have
been or are being renovated and some are in complete disrepair.
Some interesting elements of these three blocks are the mixture
of brick masonry buildings similar to some fan district houses
and the wood structures which may be of more significance in the
framework of the typical Oregon Hill residence.  The wood scroll
work and iron work on some of the existing porches are examples
of the craftsmanship of the era.
Cary Street is in the most part made up of commercial establishments in structures which are not my view typical of the rest of
Oregon Hill.  The evaluation of Cary Street must be different
from the rest of the area.  On Cary Street houses or structures
should be judged by the architectural or historic significance of
individual structures rather than their relationship to the whole
of Oregon Hill.
In summary the architecture of this three block area is, with a
few exceptions, not significant.  However, the structures which
we can identify as significant and the details of other structures
should be recognized in any development of this area for any
other purpose.