Richmond, Virginia's Monument Ave

The unveiling of the Robert E. Lee monument circa 1890 courtesy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_Avenue#/media/File:1890_Lee_statue_unveiling.jpg.

Richmond Virginia's Monument Ave is a tree lined grassy mall separating the east and west bound lanes punctuated by statues of Civil War leaders Robert E. Lee, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, JEB Stuart and Jefferson Davis.  On May 29, 1890 the crowd swelled to 100,000 to watch the unveiling of the first monument, General Lee.  Oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury was added in 1929. Between 1900 and 1925, Monument Ave saw the construction of architecturally significant houses, churches and apartment buildings.

The avenue, filled with mansions, was originally home to Richmond's upper class.  However, by the 1950's and 1960's, many of the mansions were divided into apartments and sublet.  In 1970, the Monument Ave Preservation Society was established to protect the beautiful buildings.

Monument Ave is the site for many events including Robert E. Lee's birthday, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Monument Ave 10K Race and the Easter on Parade where Richmond residents show off the latest styles in Easter bonnets.

Jefferson Davis Monument courtesy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_Avenue.