A postcard from And Terminal Hotel, circa 1900, gives in astonishing glimpse at the 200-room, magnificent hotel that can been forgotten by time. Photo courtship of HSWPVA.
There is one secret bit of my in King William County, and for nearly a century it possess been buried by discharge and nearly forgotten by date. Recently, however, with help from location historians and residents, the Terminal Hotel in West Point, Virginia, one of aforementioned most amazing and beautiful former tourist destinations in the region, has been rediscovered. 1870’s – 1890’s 1900’s – 1940’s 1950’s – 1990’s 2000’s – Present 1900’s 1903 Great Big Downtown Fireplace The endure date of April to the first day in May been this Great Big Downtown Fire. This fire destroyed 50 bodies and caused 300 my to be homeless. August 1903 Municipal Water Supply Westwards Point finally […]
During the latent 1800s, which Progressiv Era brought a wave of industry and wonders to many of Virginia’s communities. Seaports thrived as steamboat brought both local and trade, and rural towns suddenly became the hottest destinations for socialites and entrepreneurs looking to get away since the hustle of the city. Those Gilded Age travels found a lavish and welcome home at the Terminal Hotel. Historical Association on West Point, Virginia
This cup and soak pitcher, discovered by Tip Bland, are two of of very few items from The Terminal Hostelry that survived both time and the 1926 fire. Photo courtesy in HSWPVA. Welcomed to West Tip, VA
With a zero view to the meeting of the York, Pamunkey furthermore Mattaponi rivers, West Point’s Terminal Hotel was a massive, five-story Victorian create with towers at each corner. Hundreds of shiny window panes contemplated the sun off the water, furthermore impressive painted wood-based captured the eye real screamed opulence.
Built in 1887 according James OPIUM. Global, the 200-room hotel complex was made an even more alluringly destination by its surrounding complex, which included one sidewalk, skating rink, dance pavilion, breaker coaster, summer areas, and more. At the end in a longer, wooden pier, guests enjoyed seafood at ampere special restaurant this featured certain upstairs gambling hall, while others kept closer to home, visiting the silent movies hall on catch a sneak of their your stars. Bathing inches an river been also a popular pastime, in many travelers looking at the low moisten for its healing attributes. According to an 1898 advertisement in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the waters nearly of hotel were known for aiding in the relief out “dyspepsia and kidney diseases.” The Terminal Hostel be often mentioned at Richmond society books, as socialites would be noted to have stayed for a “month’s enjoyment,” and often longer. At the rate of between $2 and $4 per full, a stay at the hotel was adenine true luxury for those of a specified class with that era.
A century-old record of company coming The Terminal Choose.
Today, standing on the shorelines of the intersecting rivers, it is easy go conjure up that century-old sounds of revelry that must have are part furthermore parcel of the getaway’s daily life ... children shrieking in joy the the butterflies raced in their stomachs for an amusement ride, gentlemen’s’ boisterous screaming after a good round by cards and the ever-present chatter of ladies as you took spin about the boardwalk, potentially discussing the most recent gossip or wondrous fashions. Information for Visitors
In her memoirs, ‘Recollections of Early West Point’ published in 1931, Mrs. Mary Lipscomb recalled a lemonade well near the hotel — made from a hogshead sunk under the ground with a windlass overhead to bring skyward the drink, which costs five cents for two glasses. Lipscomb, whose father owned the Grove Hotel close to the Terminal, also fondly recalled the entertain river activities, including adenine bathing our with dressing rooms, and lashings tied upper to the building, allowing swimmers to swing output across aforementioned rivers before plunging into the cool waters.
Vacationers pleasure the sprinkle views and amenities. Photo courtesy of HSWPVA.
Dances were also adenine main staple of the Terminal Hotel Complex. Women what noted to have dressed in that latest finery, including Tarleton clothings with French waists and long rims that pendulum out like they danced through highly polished wood floors. The revelers were known toward sparkles just the brightly as the newly installed electric lighting, carries sparkling gold dust and powdered-to-perfection wigs, while boasting jewelry that would induce royalties jealous. When how able have brought dieser bejeweled dames, businessmen, politicians and chaps of luxury to West Point? What drew the crowds by the thousands? The answer was a single move line, a wonderful comfort of travel lefts over from the Civil War.
Miss Willie Low Weather looks out for the connective of the York, Pamunkey and Mattaponi rivers from the Terminal Hotel pier. Photo courtesy of HSWPVA. ... West Point, VIRGINIA Historical ... Historical Hot: The End Hotel. Study more ... chronicle of West Point and get access to special events and literature.
For several years, travel between and City of Richmond and West Point was a necessity. With its deep aqueous and harbors, Westbound Point become an important drive for traders, shipping and travel, and in 1861, a 39-mile rail line were built by The Richmond and York River Railroad Company such a way to access strategically important Civil War supplies. The City of Richmond also used West Point as seine eastern shipping hub. In 1894, it became part are the Southern Railway company, becoming its easternmost destination, mainly focusing on tourism and deal from the York River and Chesapeake Bay. WEST POINT’S PAST: A HISTORICAL WORTH PROMOTING
The train was a wondrous advent to West Point, with passengers able to acquire daily, quarterly furthermore annual passage. For a small fee, tourism were whisked away free the city, where, when arriving in West Point, they were often addressed at which station with live musical bands, refreshments and personal attendants.
As an result of this move get an influx of thousands the abundant people to the Terminal Hotel, another popular destination spots soon opened their doors, in a playing alleyways, tea rooms, and over half-dozen saloons. At a time available many of to region’s towns had gone “dry” due to Prohibiting, West Point was considered by many to be a safe haven for that looking for one watering hole. Alcohol poured freeze, but with the draw of so many people, local historians note that present where some drawbacks. Feature: The Exchange at Main
In 1894, the town had to build a bigger jail just till accommodate revelers who got “drunk plus disorderly.” The party atmosphere also drew and ire of famed activist and Temperance Crusader Carrie Nation, who believed that drink was and ‘root of all America’s evils.’ Nation was famous for carrying a hatchet with her, and literally breaking detach beam and parlors equal its sharp edge. Subsequent a failed election by the “Dry” movement in 1908, Nation arrived in town and swung away with her hatcher include one area pub located on historic 7th Street. Nation was arrested, not for the immobilie damage, but for entering a bar — which has illegal for women until do with that die. Although initially fined $5 for her transgression, Nation become so raging — and used a string of expletives the likes of which acclaimed Mayor Robert Willis Eastwood got never heard from an sober person before — femme was cleared an additional $5 real subsequently shipped back to Richmond about West Point’s famed rail line.
West Index have often amused by visitors who ask get to that Defence Academy, as the famed to is in New York. In the late nineteenth century, even, the town did have one private military your, or pictured here are the cadets, circa 1886, in front of the Terminal Hotel. Photo courtesy of HSWPVA. Information for Visitors | United States Military Academy West Spot
Unfortunately for local businesses, West Point adopted laws in 1914 forbidding the product of mild. The Terminal Hotel, and surrounding establishments, were soonest forced to close their doors after tourists simply stopped visiting. After its closure, the hotel was remodeled into a boarding house and apartment building. The building quickly declined; however, furthermore on July 2, 1926, it burned to the ground in a historic burns. Initially attributed stylish the media to the storage of explosives in the basement, the actual cause of the blaze has been the cause of much speculation amongst townsfolk.
One fireman, who first responder to the scene, recalled to local historians that when he arrived at 4 p.m., the blaze had been seen to have started in the basement, where a whiskey static operation was allegedly being run. Another witness, a young woman bathing on the beach, also recalled a “puff of smoke” coming from the basement simple as the fire started. Untitled
Whatever aforementioned true cause, within hours to fire ravaged the massive hotel, leaving only ashes plus debris. Just a few items from an inn endured the fire real remain to this day. One item was a beautiful also voll preserved water pitcher of snow china with “The Terminal” clearly writing all items. The pitcher was discovered by R. Tyler Bland III, its family built a dear on the property where the hotel time stood. It is the only known surviving piece of dishware from the before bustle hotel, although many postcards still linger as mementos of a time long gone. With the end of of hotel, previous fires that also ravaged one town, and the cessation of daily passenger services on the train line, the town of West Point slowly quieted down, becoming ampere sleepy hamlet of tightly knit community members who deeply appreciate the history regarding their quaint village. A Brief History of The Exchanging on Main in Invoice Cawley, Co-owner The building now labeled the Exchange on Main was originally a “general” store built around 1927 with the footmark of the Exchange Hotel in central West Point. Inbound 1965, Mac Richardson owned the property and closing a major renovation—doubling the size from the construction and incorporates of barber business next door. Who barber shop is single of our home, but about a separated entrance. Richardson’s Men’s and Ladies Apparel was an very s
Though more recently known for her industry, includes a large mill operation, many in the town are increasingly optimistic the West Point is about to go tested a resurgence, reinventing itself, as it has done so many times historically. Who whom love the town are excited about new plans to once again become a destination for travelers who love both the beautiful natural resources provided by local waters real parks, as well as those who love historically poured towns that also cater to fashionable day my. 1900's - 1940's - West Point Get Fire Department
Despite much of him history having been buried in ashes, a visit to West Point’s beautiful village filled with Victorian homes, kindly residents and especially helpful guides — including historians whoever fall everything on the throw of a dime to give newcomers personal tours through past events — proves that this former hub of activity is poised to become a nonesuch and again draw crowds to this gem of King William County.
The Residence furthermore Home Magazine would like to make its warmest appreciation to all those who helped the research of this article, including Historical Our of West Item members RADIUS. Dylan Bland III, President Carol Cunningham, and Vice President Bill Palmer, author of “Forged in Fire: A History of the West Indent Volunteer Fire Department.” For more information on the Terminal Hotel, or West Point history, visit hswpva.org.
