January 15, 2008
Harry Kollatz’ True Richmond Stories
Harry Kollatz’ fantastic True Richmond Stories, a collection of 40 or so of Kollatz’ “Flashback” columns from Richmond Magazine, was released in late 2007. The stories span Richmond history from 1607 until just a few years ago, and range across the city. It should come as no surprise that in any telling of Richmond history that a fair share of the anecdotes come from Shockoe, Manchester, and Tobacco Row.
Some of the stories that share a taste of the historic texture of the area include tellings of the long history of the Farmers Market (First Market) at 17th Street, the 28 karat Manchester Diamond, the Municipal War of 1870, the story of the Lighthouse Diners, the wandering of Christopher Newport’s cross, and the pioneering conservationist Newton Ancarrow.
The book’s 155 pages of stories and photos go by fast. The book is accompanied by a website that offers a few free bonus stories and the opportunity to subscribe for even more.
Speaking of books…I found and bought the Haunts of Richmond book written by the Bergmans. I found it at Borders but I’m sure you can find it at other places. Tells lots of Church Hill/Shockoe Bottom and Slip stories.
HT:
Thanks for the shout out! The slender volume is going into its second printing as of March. So there should still be copies a the larger stores, but the indies will be getting their new versions in a few weeks.
I’m contracted for another book to come out in October of this year about social progressive Adon Yoder who ran a muckraking little paper called “The Idea” during 1909-1911. But along the way there’s the Beattie murder–a Manchester melodrama; the controversial annexation of Manchester into Richmond; the antics of Justice John Crutchfield whose police court was so crazy that out-of-towners stopping at hotels would ask for the location as though it were entertainment; Italian-American artist Ferruccio Legnaioli was beginning his Richmond career with the Shockoe Slip fountain, and women were organizing to get the vote. A busy 26 months.
And I’m going to be very busy, myself.
I neglected to mention that Yoder’s primary focus was closing the brothels and saloons in what was Richmond’s red light district — what we call Shockoe Bottom today, then just Shockoe or the Shockoe Valley.
At the time, “segregation” of vice into its own quarter was deemed good practice for law enforcement. Adon Yoder was fined and accused of circulating obscene literature by his writing what he observed by walking around Main, 17th and a street that doesn’t exist anymore, obliterated by the highway ramps and VCU, Mayo Street and Locust Alley.
Congrats on the 2nd printing and now I have another book to look forward to.