Downtown Staunton is almost entirely comprised of two of the five historic districs in Staunton, The Wharf and Beverley. The other districts are Gospel Hill, Newtown and Stuart Addition.
Staunton's fine collection of historic preservation areas includes the Gospel Hill Historic District, so named in the late 1790s when religious meetings were held at its blacksmith shop. Its elegant homes include examples of Victorian, Greek Revival, and Federal styles. The Downtown Historic District is a compact 19th-century "Main Street," with buildings that date from Staunton's boom years between 1860 and 1920, and a fine concentrations of Victorian-era architecture. Its Wharf Historic District harks to the days when the railroad changed Staunton from a rural village to a center of commerce, with strong and sturdy warehouses. Since 1972 the Wharf Historic District has been on the National Register of Historic Places, and its depot and other preserved buildings house restaurants, antique shops and specialty boutiques.
Downtown Staunton is still rich in history, but also caters to a more contemporary crowd as well. Beverley Street is rich in cafes, boutiques and other specialty and novelty shops. While a bit hilly, it does provide a nice opportunity for a nice stroll and people watching.
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