This view of the west entrance to the Downtown Mall was taken in the 1980s from the top of what historically is known as “Vinegar Hill”. This is after the Omni Hotel was constructed (1984) but well before the ice park. The paved street seen here is Water Street but Main Street once ran down Vinegar Hill in the center of this view.  More vintage photos of Charlottesville at www.cvilleimages.com (photo from the Preston Coiner Collection at C’ville Images)

History Photos