Back in 1967, the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society asked 84-year-old Marie Woodward to record her memories of Bank Street at the turn of the 20th century. She recorded an audiotape for the organization, and in 2006 that tape was transcribed. The text was put together with photos from various collections, and the booklet “We Are the Poorer for Their Passing: Miss Marie Remembers Bank Street” was then published by the Society.

Bank Street took its name from the Farmers Bank of Nansemond, which faced it from Main Street. It was developed not for banks, though, but to expand the available sites for homes as Suffolk began to grow after the Civil War. Some of Suffolk’s grandest homes were built on Bank Street, and some of those homes still exist there today.

Step back in time now and have a look at the people and places of Bank Street at the turn of the 20th century.

Copies of the Historical Society’s publication are available today at the Dawson House, the circa 1880 home at 137 Bank St. that now serves as the Historical Society’s headquarters, or at the Suffolk Railroad Museum book shop. They may also be ordered by calling 923-4750.