Look for a black and gold sign proudly announcing "Federal Hill Historic District" with classic brick houses just peeking out behind it on the hillside to your left.
Now, as you stand here, take a deep breath and imagine the chatter of families and the clatter of horse hooves echoing up these streets back when Federal Hill was Lynchburg’s showpiece neighborhood. Stretching out before you, this district holds about a dozen blocks of charming houses, each one with its own story stitched into the walls. You’ll spot brick and wood-frame homes all dressed up in different period styles, yet somehow they all get along-like a neighborhood block party where the Federalists, the French Second Empire crowd, and some Edwardians decided to mingle. Those tall, elegant roofs you see on Harrison Street belong to three French Second Empire mansions, standing together like they’re gossiping in Paris rather than in Virginia! And if you look around, there’s an impressive lineup of early Federal-style townhouses, each one as crisp as a freshly pressed suit. It’s no wonder this spot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Imagine the locals of the 1800s, proud as peacocks, showing off their lovely homes and looking over the city from atop the hill-just like you are now, but with fewer cars and maybe more goats. Each home here is a little time machine, so enjoy the view and let your imagination wander.
