Contributed by Taylor Stone

Known for its modern culture, popular restaurants, active nightlife and Victorian architecture, The Fan is one of Richmond's most desirable neighborhoods for young professionals. The Fan is an architectural and sculptural celebration of Richmond's storied past, where spaces between homes are filled with towering trees, grassy spaces and narrow, quiet roads.

In 1817, the Fan was plotted as the village of Sydney on land formerly owned by William Byrd II. Primary development of the Fan occurred after the Civil War through about 1920. As development increased from downtown at the turn of the 20th century, Franklin Street became a fashionable "West End" address. A desire for a West End address drove rapid real estate development of the area, changing the area from rural tobacco fields in 1900 to being almost fully developed land by the 1930s. As development accelerated, the University of Richmond (then located on Lombardy Street) was moved west to a more rural location (its present Westhampton location). During the Great Depression, many of the single-family homes in the area were converted to apartments. The term "the Fan" was coined in the mid 20th century by a Richmond Times Dispatch editorial, as the appellation "West End" no longer applied.

The Fan was first developed as a residential neighborhood at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. Much of The Fan's original Victorian architecture survives. Rows of spacious condos rest amidst large old houses, which are often divided into smaller units and rented out.

Don't miss the the 47th Annual Fan Holiday House Tour, Holiday Splendor on the Avenue, Saturday, December 12th and Sunday, December, 13th between the hours of 1:00pm-5:00pm each day.

The 2009 tour will be truly unique because all the homes on tour will be on historic Monument Avenue. The source of pride for many Richmond residents, Monument Avenue has been named by the American Planning Association as one of the 10 Great Streets in the United States. The Avenue is also on the National Register of Historic Places. A record turnout is expected to take advantage of this rare opportunity. Come experience firsthand the beauty and grandeur of the homes on Monument Avenue!  Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.