12 Fun Facts to Know About Richmond, Virginia
Whether youâre new to the area or youâve called the Unionâs 10th state home for as long as you can remember, thereâs a lot to love about living in the Greater Richmond area. But part of what makes it so uniquely charming and wonderful are the fun and often interesting facts youâll find here.
To celebrate this uniqueness, weâve compiled an equally distinctive list of some of the more fascinating informational tid-bits about Richmond, Chesterfield County and even Magnolia Greenâall for your entertainment and, perhaps, enlightenment. However, two of them may be more fun than fact. Can you figure out which two are the truth imposters?
Fact 1: Good manners have been part of the Chesterfield county from the beginning
Chesterfield County was officially created on May 25, 1749. The county was named for the former British Secretary of State, Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield who was famous for his exceptional manners.
Fact 2: Chesterfield county has a âsisterâ
In 2005, Chesterfield County formed a relationship with the Borough of Gravesham in Kent, England as part of a celebration commemorating the founding of Jamestown. The two âsister communitiesâ both boast cities with historical significance regarding Pocahontas: She was buried in the town of Gravesend on the River Thames while her native village was believed to be Matoaca in Chesterfield County.
Fact 3: Richmond is known for good grub
Virginiaâs capital has long been a destination for good eats. However, in recent years, the dining scene has sizzled its way onto the national stage, due largely to its ability to lure top chefs with lower rents and the veritable buffet of culturally unique culinary concepts that continue to win peopleâand palatesâover in every way possible.
Fact 4: The Richmond Union Passenger Railway was the first electric streetcar in the U.S.
While earlier attempts had been made to effectively replace the existing animal-hauled street railways throughout the country and in Europe, Richmond was the first city to successfully integrate a reliable electric streetcar system into its public transportation offerings.
Fact 5: Magnolia Green is an homage to âMagnum P.I.â
The story of how Magnolia Green got its name is too unique to be fabricated. Well into construction of the new community, developers were still at a loss for what to call it. That quickly changed when key investors learned they had a shared love for the â80s television series âMagnum P.I.â Ultimately, they landed on Magnolia Green by combining the star characterâs name, Thomas Sullivan Magnum III, with the name of his frequent nemesis, Colonel âBuckâ Greene.
Fact 6: You can see London from Richmond
Okay, maybe not literally. But Richmond was named after the English town of Richmond (now part of London) because the view of the James River was very similar to the view of the River Thames from Richmond Hill in England.
Fact 7: Everyoneâs favorite poet grew up in Richmond
Admittedly, Edgar Allen Poe might not be everyoneâs favorite poet. But you canât deny how he uniquely put the âPoeâ in poetry. Not only does the Edgar Allen Poe Museum house many of his works and some of his personal effects, itâs also considered one of the oldest buildings in Richmond.
Fact 8: âMy Dinner with Andreâ was shot in Richmond
The entire movie, starring Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory, was shot at the Jefferson Hotel. But that is hardly the only time Richmond has provided a beautiful backdrop on the silver screen. Here are several other movies that feature filming in Richmond, Virginia.
Fact 9: The Jefferson Hotel used to have live alligators
Speaking of the Jefferson Hotel, up until the late 1940s, it was home to several live alligators. Many of these alligators had taken up residence in the Palm Court lobby following a fire that destroyed much of the structure in 1901. Over time, more gators were generously donated by guests and community members who had brought gators home from Florida but quickly discovered they grew too big to be kept as pets. The last alligator to live in the hotelâs marble pools died in 1948. Today, guests are greeted at the entrance by bronze gator statues.
Fact 10: Yes, rat basketball is a thing
Believe it or not, rodents playing basketball is actually a spectator sport at the Science Museum of Virginia. These conditioned rats play on a tiny court and work to put a tiny ball through an equally tiny hoop. For details on the âhowâ and the âwhy,â youâll just have to check it out for yourself.
Fact 11: Magnolia Green benefited from taking a gap year
Like many young communities, Magnolia Green decided to take a gap year before enrolling in community college and ultimately settling down as an award-winning, master-planned community in Chesterfield County. During that year, the curiously ambitious community backpacked throughout Europe and the United States, primarily observing other successful community developments, as well as taking in some amazing culture, landscape and history.
Fact 12: People love living here
Richmond been called the âBest U.S. Historical Destinationâ and was at the head of Forbes Magazineâs list of top cities for up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Itâs also received âtopâ distinctions in several other categories, including cities to see Christmas lights, cities for celebrating the Fourth of July, and many others. With all these accolades, itâs really no surprise people call it one of the best places to live.
Bottom line, Richmond and its surrounding communities are attracting many new residents who are drawn to the beauty, the quality of life, and the rich history that truly sets this city apart. While this list only contains a few of the many things that make this place interesting and fun, weâre confident youâll find plenty more to love.
For more information on everything Magnolia Green has to offer, feel free to visit Magnolia Green online for more information or to take a virtual tour of our beautiful model homes.