What's in a Name? | Freemason in Norfolk

The cobblestone streets and river views of the Freemason neighborhood in downtown Norfolk have been a favorite of Norfolk's professionals since Colonial times.

The neighborhood emerged in the early 18th century as a suburban retreat for prosperous families. It extended west from Church Street downtown to the Elizabeth River, according to historian H.B. Bagnall.

The Freemasons, a charitable, fraternal organization, established its first post in Norfolk in 1729, Bag-nall wrote. The organization bought a plot of land near the present-day Cumberland Street in 1764 and built its lodge.

The impressive structure became the defining feature of the road. Residents began calling it "Free Mason's street," soon shortened to "Freemason Street," according to a 1941 newspaper story on the neighborhood.

The original cobblestone streets were paved with stone ship's ballast - cheap and readily available from merchant vessels at the time.

In antebellum Norfolk, Freemason Street carried a reputation as a clean, affluent neighborhood of palatial homes and gardens. "This street is undoubtedly the most magnificent in the city," wrote an 18th century correspondent, as quoted in the news story.

Redevelopment shrank the neighborhood in the late 20th century, and a cut-through for Waterside Drive threatened to wipe out several blocks. An active civic group persuaded the city to get Freemason listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A major push in the 1970s to preserve its historic character included a half-million-dollar contract to install cobblestones and herringbone-patterned brick sidewalks in a four-block area, according to a contemporary news story. Today, the neighborhood is a collection of older homes and modern condominiums with river views and boat slips.

The Freemasons' headquarters have moved several times. The site of the 18th century lodge, the former intersection of old Cumberland and Freemason streets, has given way to modern development.