In 1817, the Fan was plotted as the village of Sydney on land formerly owned by William Byrd II.
Primary development of the Fan occurred after the Civil War through about 1920.
 Streetcar lines leading from downtown influenced development; the nation's first electric streetcar system was inaugurated in Richmond in 1888.

As development increased from downtown at the turn of the 20th century, Franklin street became a fashionable "West End"  address.
A desire for a West End address drove rapid real estate development of the area, changing the area from rural tobacco fields in 1880 to being almost fully developed land by the 1920s.
As development accelerated, the University of Richmond (then located on Lombardy Street) was moved west to a more rural location (its present Westhampton location).
During the Great Depression, many of the single-family homes in the area were converted to apartments.

The term "the Fan" was coined in the mid 20th century by a Richmond Times Dispatch editorial, as the appellation "West End"  no longer applied.
In 1817, the Fan was plotted as the village of Sydney on land formerly owned by William Byrd II. Primary development of the Fan occurred after the Civil War through about 1920.  Streetcar lines leading from downtown influenced development; the nation's first electric streetcar system was inaugurated in Richmond in 1888.
As development increased from downtown at the turn of the 20th century, Franklin street became a fashionable "West End"  address. A desire for a West End address drove rapid real estate development of the area, changing the area from rural tobacco fields in 1880 to being almost fully developed land by the 1920s. As development accelerated, the University of Richmond (then located on Lombardy Street) was moved west to a more rural location (its present Westhampton location). During the Great Depression, many of the single-family homes in the area were converted to apartments.
The term "the Fan" was coined in the mid 20th century by a Richmond Times Dispatch editorial, as the appellation "West End"  no longer applied.
Fan district