Colored People Homeless

A fire destroys many homes, and leaves 120 black families homeless.

A disastrous conflagration visited West Norfolk, just across the Elizabeth river from Norfolk, to-night, reducing to ashes sixty double dwellings, Hesetser’s saw-mill and dry-kiln, and two general stores. The dwellings were occupied by about 120 colored families employed in the mills at the place. Many of these were rendered penniless. The loss will aggregate at least $50,000.

“Colored People Homeless,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed December 7, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1727.