A Community Welcome
Our Mission
…to restore the economic base, historical flavor, beauty and vitality of our downtown district through partnering with our residents, government and business groups.
Luray Downtown Initiative – LDI is the appointed organization is responsible for managing downtown as a recognized Virginia Main Street community, following “The Main Street Approach” to effectively address the complex and changing issues facing the downtown business environment.
The Main Street Approach provides a flexible framework that puts the traditional assets of downtown, such as unique architecture and locally owned businesses, to work as a catalyst for economic growth and community pride.
LDI is the authority on Main Street and is tasked with tenant advocacy, public relations, marketing, event coordination, community support, and program administration of the “Main Street Approach” to revitalization outlined by Main Street National Trust. Under this approach four points are identified and organized as committees staffed by volunteers.
Along with the Program Director, these committees shape the environment downtown.
Downtown District: History and Architecture
Luray Downtown Historic District is located in the Town of Luray and is recognized by the United States Department of Interior and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The district embraces the historic commercial core of the Town, which developed after the Town’s establishment in 1812 along the east west axis of Main Street.
- The commercial area (and the district) is bisected by Hawksbill Creek, a tributary of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, and the downtown occupies the hillsides on each side of the creek at elevations of between 700 and 900 feet above sea level.
- The district corridor includes thirty-five acres along Main Street with short extensions along Court and Broad streets. It extends from the Norfolk Southern rail line on the east to the park-like grounds of The Mimslyn Inn on the west.The district is densely populated with commercial buildings and other building types dating primarily from the 1830s through the 1940s, with a few structures dating before and after that span. The total number of resources is 101, of which seventy-nine (78 percent) are “contributing”, meaning they were in existence during the period of significance (ca. 1830-1953) and they possess sufficient historic integrity.
- The commercial buildings in the Town are generally one, two, or three-story brick buildings built up to the street. The earliest surviving commercial buildings, those dating to the antebellum period, are domestic in character (in part a reflection of their dual function as dwellings) with their long dimension along the street, gable or hip roofs, and unspecialized street fronts. Commercial buildings from the postbellum period through the mid-twentieth century are characterized by rectangular footprints with the short dimension on the street, parapeted shed roofs sloping away from the street, and specialized street elevations with storefronts with large display windows. Other historic building types include dwellings, hotels, churches, warehouses, government buildings (a courthouse, firehouse, and post office), a school, a train station, and a monument.
Information provided by Luray’s Town Plan: Vision 2027
Interested in being a Part of Luray Downtown Initiative?
Our community is strengthened when we have help from our neighbors. We would love to have you work with us
Please review the committee descriptions, then, download our volunteer application form below.
For more information or answers to your questions, please call us: (540)743-7700
