The John Rolfe Players preformed in Chester and Chesterfield from the 1950s to the late 1970s. The force behind the group was Dottie and her husband Larry Armstrong. The performance poster above was typical for the troupe. Elizabeth Matthews, one of the original Chesterfield Center for the Arts supporters,  said the John Rolfe Players sparked the idea of a playhouse approximately 60 years ago. The Armstrongs would be proud of the development of the Arts Center as the building is on the cusp of being built.

Matoaca’s James W. “Jim” Seay was considered the area’s river expert. In a 1954 Progress-Index newspaper article, and he said he got all his happiness in his life from what God created, the rivers, the hills, the woods, and those things. Pictured above is post card showing Jim Seay’s bateau carrying passengers from Matoaca across the Appomattox River to Ferndale Park. Photo of post card courtesy of Larry Holt.

The Falling Creek Reservoir on Hopkins Road was constructed over 60 years ago as a source of drinking water, but it is a silted lake today. In 1953, area residents were in awe of the building of the concrete dam that currently delineates the boundary of Chesterfield and Richmond. Pictured is a group of residents excited to see the dam built.

In 1998, the Chester Village Green project was underway. Initial streets were complete and building construction was started.  Jim Daniels, one of the developers of the project, had acquired the sales office for Sunset Memorial Park.  The building was salvaged from the property where Chester Post Office construction was beginning. The upper deck of the building made the trip with no problems along the route.  The windows, front door and columns were also salvaged. Today, the building houses the Village News and the Chesterfield Center for the Arts Foundation.

Nineteen fifty nine was the first year for the Chester Quarterback Club as well as the first class that entered Curtis Elementary School. The picture shows Charles C. Moore, president of the local Lions Club, presenting coach Carson Bosher with a  check to aid Little League Football sponsored by the Chesterfield Quarterback League. Pictured front row from left: John Eyler, Mike Maguigan, Larry Boder, Steve Matheny, Billy Atkins, Hayes Bush, and Charlie Steiner. Back row from left: Robert Phillips, Dale Martin, Carson Bosher, Charles C. Moore, Tom Tennille, and Ronnie Bush. Do you have a historical photo of a place…

Known as the house of stone on the highway back in its day, all that remains today is the word stone in the development Stone Manor, located at the corner of West Hundred and Mason roads. LaGrande Martin, who worked as a chemist for Ethyl Corporation and later in the personnel department built the house for himself and his first wife Margaret in the 1930s. Martin did most of the designing and had help from Joe Battle, who supplied most of the slate, and Harry Owens, who did most of the inside work. Martin loved to travel and much of…

The popular swimming hole right off U.S. Route One between Richmond and Petersburg, was the most refreshing refuge from humidity and sweltering dog days west of Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It was a mecca for locals seeking a few hours of blessed relief and a major vacation destination for tourists from throughout the state. Folks were drawn by its enormous sand beach, water slides, the high diving board where giggling girls congregated to watch the boys show off, and the adjacent dance hall that filled the evening air with Big Band melodies. Everyone entering the bath house received…