In the early development of the area, all attention was focused towards the railroad, as it increasingly became the force behind the entire city's progress. The establishment of Virginia Central Railroad service to Staunton in 1852 changed the economic structure of the city allowing merchants to cut the cost of goods previously brought in by pack trains. The new lines also opened up the Tidewater
market to area farmers. Staunton's Beverley Historic District, begun as part of a mid-18th-century settlement founded on the land of William Beverley, includes approximately 150 buildings in some 11 blocks of downtown Staunton. Its principal business artery, Beverley Street, is a classic Victorian main street. This and the district's secondary streets have few detracting modern intrusions. The dome of the Augusta County Courthouse, the old YMCA clock tower, the observation tower of the Masonic building and several church spires enliven its skyline. Nearly every phase of the region's 19th- and early 20th-century architectural development is to be found on the narrow streets, from Federal-period shops to a Beaux Arts bank. The buildings reflect Staunton's growth from an early mill settlement to one of the Shenandoah Valley's most prosperous communities. Although there had been a long tradition of historic preservation in Staunton, success with individual projects had not led to downtown revitalization. By the early 1990s, downtown was plagued with vacant building and declining retail sales. The Staunton Downtown Development Association was formed to focus on downtown and comprehensive improvement with the private and public sectors working together. The downtown community showed its support by committing to a special taxing district, and in 1995, Staunton became a designated Virginia Main Street community. Many historic buildings are now rehabilitated. The community has seen an influx of private funds invested in downtown Staunton. In 2002, Staunton became Virginia's first Main Street community to win a Great American Main Street Award presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This award honors exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing America's historic and traditional downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. The Beverley Historic District in Staunton is roughly bounded by Lewis, Frederick and Market sts. and the Wharf Area Historic District to the South. Gratefully republished from the website of The National Parks Service, Department of the Interior's National Registry of Historic places.
