Yesteryear

The Chamberlayne Avenue Initiative is busy working on ideas to make our thoroughfare more attractive and inviting as a gateway into Richmond. This blog wants to showcase the homes along this Ginter Park avenue; many are long gone, victims of contemporary tastes and white flight. Many do survive and some are being restored.

(For history on the Ginter Park neighborhood and Chamberlayne Avenue as a designated US Route 1 highway, see http://www.ginterpark.org/ginter-park-history.php)

Below is a series of postcards that were published for the various tourist homes that lined Chamberlayne during the 1930's and 40's. During the Depression, some homeowners turned their houses into guest lodges, catering to the travelers along US Route 1.

Ironically, the first postcard is of the Richmond Motel, 2600 Chamberlayne Avenue, an establishment that most likely put the tourist homes out of business. The description on the back reads "Richmond Motel In the Heart of Town, 2600 Chamberlayne Avenue - ELgin 3-9647, On U.S> Route 1 and 301, Richmond 22, Virginia, 70 Modern Rooms, Tiled Baths, TV and Air Conditioning Optional. Restaurants Nearby. Easy Access to Business and Shopping Districts. Mr. and Mrs. D.D. Burton, Owners-Managers."

Obviously this motel, which still stands, does not have 70 rooms. The only conclusion is that they included their second location, at the corner of Lombardy and Brook Road, in this count. However on this card, the Lombardy location is marked out; possibly the Burtons sold this by the time the card was published.

The first three houses are located south of Brookland Park Boulevard, and all are still standing, although alterations have been made to them.

2912 Chamberlayne Avenue. The back of the postcard reads: "'The Sign of a Good Night's Rest', 2912 Chamberlayne Ave. Richmond, VA (Just 4 minutes from Business section). Rooms bright, well ventilated with outside exposure. Beds equipped with luxurious innerspring mattresses. Hot and cold baths - tubs and showers. Ample parking space. Rates reasonable. Telephone, wire or write for reservations. Mrs. M.D. Pleasants, Telephone 4-3297, On U.S. Route 1."

"THE HAVEN, Guests, Mrs. George Deierhoi, Hostess, 2916 Chamberlayne Ave., U.S. No. 1 and 2, Phone 5-8546, Richmond, Va."

The Mulberry
2918 Chamberlayne Avenue

Park View Manor, 3201 Chamberlayne Avenue. Wonder what a "club breakfast" is?

3206 Chamberlayne Avenue, the oldest house in Ginter Park, still stands with its entrance on Seminary Avenue. The message on the back states the writer ate here while in Richmond in 1935; she was traveling north from Florida, to Charleston, Richmond and Washington, DC. Note the long hours the tea room was open. This house was known by many names: Jessie Williams House; Armstrong House; Rennie-Williams House and Spring Grange.

"'TARRY-Ho', 3403 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Mrs. Cleland B. Welton, hostess.

"When in Historic Richmond stop at 'GREEN SHUTTERS' Guest House, 3409 Chamberlayne Ave.  Richmond, Virginia, On U.S. Highway No. 1 and 2.  North side of City.  Mrs. Kenneth O.Reid, Phone 5-6343