Oregon Hill
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oregon Hill is a historically white working class neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia. Oregon Hill overlooks the James River and Belle Isle, and provides access to Hollywood Cemetery.
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[edit] History
Oregon Hill was established during the industrial expansion during Reconstruction following the Civil War. Oregon Hill was populated by the workers from the Tredegar Iron Works and Albemarle Paper Company. It is so named because at the time of its settlement, it was very far west of the city's downtown. It was quipped that employees moving there to be close to their workplace might as well be moving westward to Oregon.
[edit] Oregon Hill Today
Oregon Hill is located only a few blocks south of Virginia Commonwealth University. With generally low-rent dwellings, it is a popular place for students to rent houses or apartments. It is also known as a white working class enclave. Recently, there has been much development on the edges of Oregon Hill. Many old buildings were torn down and replaced with townhouses, and a formerly empty field overlooking the river is the site of a new housing project. Due to the major development, and the accompanying rise in property taxes, many families who have lived in Oregon Hill for generations are selling their homes.
[edit] Oregon Hill in Popular Culture
In 1992, the country/rock band Cowboy Junkies released a song titled Oregon Hill, which features a description of the neighborhood. Avail, a punk/hardcore band based out of Richmond, often talks of Oregon Hill. Their lead singer Tim Barry lives in Oregon Hill.
