COTTAGE AVENUE

Delving into the history of this house I have discovered a map of the neighborhood that was published in the local newspaper in 1908.
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85038615/1908-05-03/ed-1/seq-34/

Hawthorne Avenue was originally named COTTAGE AVENUE because Lewis Ginter first built 6 cottages in which the carpenters lived while the other larger homes in Ginter Park were being built.  Five of the cottages are below...

 

 

The largest of the 6 cottages, on the corner of Hawthorne and Walton, served as quarters for the supervisor of Ginter’s land company.

The Ginter Park Community Center, which is just down the block on the corner from our Hawthorne house, has served as a community center, a library, and a church (among other things). The community center has SWIMMING POOLS !!!  Billye has been asking for a pool for 2 months now.  I know that this is where she will spend much of the hot summer.

I have yet to discover when and why the name was changed from Cottage to Hawthorne.

THIS OLD HOUSE

Upon seeing the house for the first time, and realizing all the work that needs to go into making it a home, Michael said, " Mom, should I contact This Old House on your behalf?"

Having done a little research into the house's history, I have learned..... This house on Hawthorne Ave. was among the first homes built in Ginter Park in 1906.  The neighborhood,  developed by the Lewis Ginter Land Development Company, advertised this way in the August 1906 Times Dispatch...

 There is no Malaria and no Typhoid
in Beautiful Ginter Park

HEALTHY LOCATION is one
of the greatest points to consider
 in selecting a home. Avoid heavy
doctors' bills by going to Ginter Park.
The lots average over half an acre in size.
The water is pure and as clear as crystal.
The drainage and sewerage systems are
perfect. The avenues are wide, macadam
ized, and are never muddy. Thousands
of beauttful shade trees and miles of
privet and honeysuckle hedges.
Good trolley service for one fare.
The neighborhood is all that can be
desired.

 Do not neglect this opportunlty
to secure a lot at Present Low Prices.
Call and get a map. We will be glad to
show you the property at any time.
Lewis Ginter Land & Improvement Company

Our house is the first house on the left with the circular drive. [ Photo from the Valentine Museum collection, circa early 1900, taken from Richmond A Pictorial History by Hale and Manarin]