Alright, over on your left, you’re at the site of what was once Murphy’s Hotel-a place that, for decades, was the social heart of Richmond. Now, if you were standing here in 1872, you’d see John Murphy, an Irishman and a former Confederate soldier, overseeing workers lugging lumber past the smell of oyster brine. That’s right-the whole thing started above an old oyster shack, which is about as Richmond as it gets.
Things escalated quickly. By 1913, Murphy tore down his original building and replaced it with an 11-story marvel, bringing some serious swagger to the block. That project? It would have cost a fortune-a few hundred thousand dollars back then, which easily pushes into the millions today. Not bad for a guy who started with a shellfish stand.
Through name changes, walkways bridging overhead, and a swing from luxury to government cubicles, Murphy’s legacy stuck around until the early 2000s, when progress-well, in the form of a parking deck-took over. Glamorous, right?
When you’re ready, Supreme Court of Virginia is just a 3-minute walk northwest. Let’s keep moving.
