Across the canal is the Tredegar Company, iron manufacturers, which has rounded out more than a century of service, having furnished munitions in the country’s last four wars. Here was rolled the armor-plate for the “Merrimac,” which, with the “Monitor,” made history in Hampton Roads in the first battle between iron-clads.
Leaving the park we pass on our left a remarkable structure, known as Pratt’s castle, constructed in the 1850’s. ¶ Proceed on Fourth Street to Canal, right on Canal to Fifth, left on Fifth to Main.
Old Homes
Here on Fifth Street, between Cary and Main, are several examples of the stately houses which made life in Richmond in the nineteenth century the gracious thing that it was. On your right are two old homes which have passed from the hands of the families that built and loved them. At the southeast corner of Main and Fifth Streets used to stand the Allan home where Edgar Allan Poe lived to young manhood with his foster parents. On the northwest corner of Fifth and Main Streets is an interesting octagonal house, built prior to 1814 by an early mayor of Richmond. ¶ Proceed on Fifth to Franklin, right on Franklin to 707 East Franklin.
General Lee’s Home
This upright house, typical of many built by the wealthier Richmonders in the early nineteenth century, was lent to General Robert E. Lee as a home for himself when he could be in Richmond and for his family during the latter years of the War Between the States. It is now the home of the Virginia Historical Society, which has built a fireproof structure in the rear for its priceless collection of papers. Many interesting things on view here merit a visit. ¶ Proceed east on Franklin to Ninth Street.
Federal Reserve Bank
On your left, from Eighth to Ninth on Franklin Street, is situated the Federal Reserve Bank for the Fifth District, which embraces Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and part of West Virginia. ¶ Intersection of Franklin and Ninth.
Old Bell Tower
