The Berkley North Historic District was an independent settlement at the fork of the eastern and southern branches of the Elizabeth River prior to its annexation by the city of Norfolk in 1906. Known variously as Powder Point, Ferry Point, Herbertsville, Washington Point, Washington Town, and Washington, the village grew with the shipping and shipbuilding industries. After the Civil War, the village became a town and was named after local landowner and entrepreneur Lycurgus Berkley. Industrial enterprises fueled the community’s growth and supported the development of handsome residential areas. The Berkley North Historic District represents the most intact section of late-19th- and early-20th-century residential development with architectural styles ranging from Italianate and Queen Anne to Colonial Revival and Craftsman. The district also contains a few notable commercial structures and several architecturally prominent churches.

Originally listed in the registers in 2000, the Berkley North Historic District encompasses historic residential fabric within Berkley, which originated from the local shipping industries of the late-19th to early-20th-centuries. An updated nomination was approved in 2024 which modifies the period of significance with a revised end date of 1974.  The central core of the district remains largely unchanged, but portions of the boundary has been adjusted to reflect the loss of historic resources due to demolition and redevelopment. The updated nomination also addresses the district’s association with African American history and culture during the mid-20th-century.
[VLR Approved: 12/12/2024]