Walking Tour of Uniontown, Staunton VA | 150 Years of African-American History

Walking Tour of Uniontown, Staunton VA | 150 Years of African-American History | Shenandoah Valley

Рет қаралды 1,074

7 ай бұрын

In the eastern portion of Staunton, Virginia, the Uniontown neighborhood lies hidden behind the commercial properties along Richmond Avenue (US 250). Many are unaware of its story, encompassing over 150 years of African American history in the Shenandoah Valley. On October 28, 2023, the outdoor event "Honoring Uniontown" was held by Building Bridges For The Greater Good, a non-profit community organization in Staunton, Virginia. The day's events included exhibits, conversations with neighbors, and a walking tour of historic Uniontown.
Founded in the Reconstruction era by newly-freed African Americans, Uniontown was once a thriving place for families who found support in times of great struggle. However, numerous factors contributed to Uniontown's long, steady decline. Today, the current version of Uniontown is the product of decades of disinvestment by the City of Staunton (which annexed Uniontown in 1948 and 1986), mismatched land use regulations, and other variables. In recent years, the city began to refocus on Uniontown, listing it as one of its priority areas. Using ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding, City Council commissioned a Uniontown Neighborhood Action Plan process in 2022. The City, working with consultants from EPR, P.C., partnered with a Steering Committee of residents, property owners, and other stakeholders to create the Uniontown Neighborhood Action Plan and its 19 recommended actions. This effort was the first holistic planning process for the Uniontown neighborhood since its founding.
The 2007 historical study “Old Uniontown-Glances Backwards" by Dr. Julius W. Gaines, Jr is available for downloading and viewing: discoveryvirginia.org/old-uni...
The Uniontown Neighborhood Action Plan and Uniontown Water and Sewer Study is available on the Staunton city website: www.ci.staunton.va.us/governm...
The images of the Bodley Wagon Works appeared in The Daily News Leader on March 30, 1993.

Пікірлер: 19

@Henry_Martin_Taylor 3 ай бұрын

The sounding of the name "Virginia" matches very nice with the landscape...und to my ears it sounds like music😊

@user-mo2wy3pi6v 7 ай бұрын

This such a beautiful part of Staunton! Thank you for bringing this to my attention. My Great Grandfather lived somewhere around here years ago. My father says the house was closer to Richmond Road and is no longer there. City, I think, tore it down located near where the old book store is now His last name was Jones

@darleneschneck 7 ай бұрын

Wow, it’s so great to hear from you! I encourage you to download and read the Uniontown study that Dr. Julius Gaines did in 2007, you might find a mention about your great-grandfather or his family. The link is in the video’s description. You’ll get a good sense of what the community was like a hundred years ago. It’s fascinating. One story that stood out to me was a touching story that one elderly person told about their father dying. They said that when you shouted in Uniontown, your voice bounced off the Betsy Bell hill and created an echo, and everyone could hear you (couldn’t happen today with all the traffic!). This person shouted out, “daddy’s dying!” and people came running.

@bubbyp7741 6 ай бұрын

My family lives in this community and I hope they leave it alone so people can have their privacy

@jandc16 7 ай бұрын

Did the tour ever explore the other side of tracks?

@darleneschneck 7 ай бұрын

We did not go to the other side of the tracks, we would have had to drive there. I went the next day by myself to take the photos of the former schoolhouse, which is now a private residence. There are several houses on that side that were once part of Uniontown. It’s sad how it’s completely cut off from the other side. It’s a long drive around.

@jandc16 7 ай бұрын

@darleneschneck if you went down Anthony Street to the train tracks and walked up the spur track towards the otherside you can see the remains of the old store still standing.

@darleneschneck 7 ай бұрын

@@jandc16wow, how do you know this? Looks like I need to make a second video! I’m looking at a Google satellite map right now. Is the store along the spur or along Anthony Street? Is it to the north of Anthony street near Allied Concrete, or is it to the south of Anthony Street? Is is safe to walk along that spur? Looks like it is still being used.

@jandc16 7 ай бұрын

@darleneschneck the store is in the area between the spur and the main line. It's covered by a lot of vegetation. The spur is used but not as often as one would think. As you walk down the spur towards the main line the building will be to your right under trees and such. You can see it from the spur track.

@darleneschneck 7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for this description! How do you know that was the store? Do you have family who once lived in Uniontown?