#brookavenue

[rocketwerks]

J. H. Harvey & Co.

5 West Broad Street (Office & Sales Rooms)

301 North Barton Avenue (Residence), AKA 2401 Barton Avenue

West of Brook Avenue & Admiral Street (Nursery)

West of Reservoir Street, AKA South Harrison Street (Farm)

[CHRV] — looking towards J. H. Harvey & Co.’s greenhouses, circa 1893 — the photograph identifies this as Barton Heights, but based on available map data, it’s hard to say precisely where

A tangled tale of men who grew flowers.

J. H. Harvey, florist, of 5 West Broad street, has his greenhouses at Barton Heights, a suburb of the city. They cover three or four acres of ground there. He has 60,000 square feet under glass. The greenhouses are heated with hot water. There is a bored well for the water supply of the place, two steam pumps and a wind-mill, hydrants and water-plugs throughout, and the equipment of the place is unquestionably as fine as anything of the kind in the South, and certainly the most extensive here.

(Ancestry.com) — advertisement for J. H. Harvey & Co. — Richmond, Virginia, City Directory, 1891

The specialty of this establishment is the trade in cut flowers and ornamental plants. These are shipped by it to all parts of the State. The gardens were established in 1870, and three generations of the Harvey family were interested in them. They were founded by the grandfather of the present proprietor. [CHRV]

A little confusing that, since J. H. Harvey’s grandfather was James Harvey, and he died in 1857 (Find A Grave). Perhaps he was responsible for the family’s interest in the flower business, but what became known as Magnolia Nursery was the province of James’s son, Levenous James Harvey.

(Newspapers.com) — advertisement for Magnolia Nursery by L. J. Harvey — Richmond Dispatch — Saturday, November 15, 1873

He had been in the same line in New Jersey before he came to this city. Mr. J. H. Harvey, the present proprietor, is a young man, but one of enterprise and sterling business character. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and as such is a participant in all the projects set on foot by it to further the interests of the city.

His down-town office and sales-rooms, on Broad street, are in the heart of the city and on the principal business street, easily accessible from all quarters of Richmond. [CHRV]

February 2021 — looking towards 5 West Broad Street, former location of J. H. Harvey & Co.

Sadly, the original 5 West Broad Street store no longer exists, having been replaced in 1924 with the present building, architected by Hunt and Amrhein. [AOR] It was also the Harvey family’s 2nd store on Broad Street, after moving a few doors east from 11 West Broad Street when the company was run by J. H.’s brother, Jacob Jones Harvey.

(Library of Congress) — Beers Illustrated Atlas of the Cities of Richmond & Manchester, 1877 — Plate E — showing J. J. Harvey & Bro. Magnolia Nursery

By 1877 Magnolia Nursery was a well-developed enterprise, consuming a considerable piece of land in North Side along Brook Avenue. This of course was back inna day before Lewis Ginter gobbled up the dirt that would eventually become Bellevue, Sherwood and Ginter Parks, and before Brook Avenue would be demoted to the rank of Road. Chamberlayne Avenue would be the new front porch to the north, at least until 95 was built.

J. J Harvey had at this point taken over the family business from L. J. Harvey, who seems to have been stricken with wanderlust in his autumn years. He died a considerable distance from Richmond in 1880 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. (Find A Grave)

February 2021 — looking west of Brook Road towards the former Magnolia Nursery

Today, the former greenhouse grounds is Hovey Field, home to the Virginia Union University Panthers.

The funny thing is that A City on the James describes J. H. Harvey & Co. as having greenhouses in Barton Heights, which is not quite where Magnolia Nursery was located.

[MTBH] — Map of the Town of Barton Heights in Henrico County, Va. — James T. Redd and Son, 1896 — showing “Garden Tract” to the northwest — (full-size image)

James H. Barton was a real estate speculator, who in 1890 found success crossing a small residential community with a new streetcar line that connected the area north of Richmond with the city. The allure of suburban living found an audience, among them the J. H. and J. J. Harvey families, and it became the Town of Barton Heights in 1896.

The 1894 Barton Heights Directory lists the Harvey’s were living at 301 North Barton Avenue. It would have been their second at that location. [BHD]

[BHPSR] — Map of Barton Heights and Brookland Park — Showing the System of Numbering — 1894 — showing 301 North Barton Avenue at the northwest intersection of Barton & Kersting — (full-size image)

Just two years prior, disaster had struck.

The handsome residence at Barton Heights of Mr. J. H. Harvey, the florist, was totally destroyed by fire last night.

Mr. Harvey was at his brother-in-law’s, across the street, engaged in a game of dominos, and happening to glance at one of the windows he discovered flames bursting from the front of his house. When he reached it the hall was a roaring furnace, and it was with difficulty he rescued his children, one of whom was asleep, from the building. There was a large tank of water on the premises, but this proved practically of no use.

When news of the fire reached Chief Puller he sent over Truck No. 3, and would have sent a steamer also, but could not learn whether there was an available water supply. The truck men did splendid service, and it is due to them that the flames did not communicate to Mr. Harvey’s stables and green-houses. [RD11061892]

(Library of Congress) — Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Richmond (1908) — Index Plate — showing Barton Heights at right & the location of Magnolia Nursery at left

Apparently the Harvey’s need for greenhouse space was such that they were needed on-hand at their home. However, this was smack in the middle of a residential neighborhood, so it’s hard to imagine it as substantial as the operation off Brook Avenue, itself far removed from Barton Heights. Google Maps calls the distance between the house and main nursery at 1.3 miles—not exactly in the neighborhood.

March 2021 — looking towards the former 301 North Barton Avenue

Like any good success story, Barton Heights ignited the acquisitive fires of its larger neighbor to the south, and it was annexed by the City of RVA in 1914. (”Manchester today! Tomorrow... Barton Heights!) 

Changes followed. The former Kersting Street was renamed to Graham, and the houses were renumbered to fit the city’s scheme. Today, the former 301 North Barton Avenue is now 2401 Barton Avenue, and the residence that used to sit on the corner is gone.

(Stadium Journey) — undated photo of Hovey Field, Virginia Union University — formerly Magnolia Nursery

As for Magnolia Nursery, by 1896 J. H. Harvey & Co. company was winding down. The Richmond Dispatch reported its dissolution by mutual consent, and later a Deed of Assignment for all of the Harvey properties. [RD04091896] [RD04181896] The former nursery was  eventually acquired by Virginia Union University in 1907 for their athletic grounds.

[CHRV] — looking southwest towards J. H. Harvey’s Reservoir Branch Barton Heights, circa 1893

The location of Harvey’s other principal property, Reservoir Branch, is more difficult to pin down. It was it was identified as being “west of the reservoir beyond Richmond's suburbs”, which places it in the general vicinity where two cemeteries exist today. [HCO]

(Library of Congress) — Beers Illustrated Atlas of the Cities of Richmond & Manchester, 1877 — Plate O — showing the south terminus of Reservoir Street and the Marshall Reservoir at lower right

The reservoir in question was Marshall Reservoir, constructed in the early 1800′s, and which was located just southwest of Hollywood Cemetery. It stood near the intersection of two streets, Ashland and Reservoir, since renamed Colorado and Harrison respectively.

February 2021 — looking towards the entrances to Riverview & Mt. Calvary Cemeteries

The 1877 Beers map shows the area west of Reservoir to be undeveloped, with no sign of any property assigned to J. H. Harvey. Twelve years later, the 1889 Baist map shows the addition of Riverview (1887) and Mt. Calvary (1885) Cemeteries, along with a burgeoning neighborhood to the west, yet still no trace of Harvey’s farm.

February 2021 — looking towards former location of Marshall Reservoir — the intersection of Harrison & Colorado shown at left where the white truck is parked

On face, it seems reasonable to think that the farm existed on or near the present-day cemeteries, since it was named for a nearby landmark capable of providing the necessary water for a nurseryman, and accessible by a city road of the same name.

Unfortunately, while available maps depict the Harvie name, the Harvey name is absent. Add to that the fact that those cemeteries predate the publication of A City on the James, which depicted the photograph of said farm, makes it hard to place a pin down.

(J. H. Harvey & Co. is part of the Atlas RVA! Project)

Correction

The first version of this post speculated that J. H. Harvey’s competitor W. A. Hammond, who had his own greenhouse operation east of Brook Avenue at Sherwood, may have had a connection to the Harvey properties. This misguided notion was corrected by the discovery of the Barton Heights Directory and Barton Heights pamphlet. It seems more probable that North Side had great land for growing flowers, just ask Lewis Ginter.

Print Sources

[AOR] Architecture in Downtown Richmond. Robert Winthrop. 1982.

[BHD] Barton Heights Directory. Richmond Advertiser Print. Co. 1894.

[BHPSR] Barton Heights: the popular suburb of Richmond. Taylor & Taylor. 1894. Courtesy, Library of Virginia.

[CHRV] A City on the James, Richmond, Virginia. G. W. Engelhardt. 1893.

[HCO] Henrico County. Louis H. Manarin. 2006.

[MTBH] Map of the Town of Barton Heights in Henrico County, Va. James T. Redd and Son.1896. Courtesy, Library of Virginia.

[RD11061892] Richmond Dispatch. Wednesday, November 16, 1892.

[RD04091896] Richmond Dispatch. Thursday, April, 9, 1896.

[RD04181896] Richmond Dispatch. Saturday, April, 18, 1896.

[RTMS09251892] Richmond Times. Sunday, September 25, 1892.

[RT06081900] Richmond Times. Friday, June 8, 1900.

[rocketwerks]

Butler & Wilson

AKA, Woodside Tobacco Works

505-517 Brook Avenue

[IOR] — Woodside Tobacco Works — 505-517 Brook Avenue, circa 1886

Now we summon the spirit of Paul Harvey and tell you The Rest of the Story.

(VCU) — 1889 Baist Atlas Map of Richmond — Plate 6

The old Westham Tobacco Works were at one period among the most famous in Richmond, but upon the death of Mr. Oliver, the senior proprietor, in 1882, the business was divided up, the brands sold, and the premises variously occupied. In October, 1882, the young firm of Butler & Wilson leased the central factory, with all the fittings and improved machinery, and began the manufacture of plug tobacco.

(Rocket Werks RVA Cigarette Cards) — Butler & Wilson cigarette card, reverse

The uniform excellence of their product and their energy and enterprise speedily brought them into notice, and their brands have already attained a wide popularity in the trade. They make all kinds of dark and bright plug.

Their leading brands are "Old Virginia," *'B and W Sweet Chew," "Tar Baby," from fine Louisa county sun-cured leaf, "Pipe Full," and others. Their product sells chiefly in the Northern and New England States and in export markets.

[RVCJ03] — Arthur St. Clair Butler

Mr. A. St. Clair Butler, the senior partner, was born in Richmond, and is the son of W. F. Butler, who was for forty years a well known merchant of Richmond. Mr. Butler is a practical tobacco manufacturer, having been responsibly connected for twelve years with one of the oldest and most famous of the tobacco manufactories in Richmond. 

(Rocket Werks RVA Cigarette Cards) — Butler & Wilson cigarette card, front

With these exceptional opportunities for learning all the details of the business, he is thoroughly familiar with the requirements of the home and foreign markets in buying, handling, and manufacturing tobacco. All the details of the work pass under his immediate supervision, and nothing but the finest goods ever leave the factory.

(Historic New Orleans Collection) — “Yellow Fever, N. O.”, sketch by Alfred Rudolph Waud,1871 or 1872

Mr. Littell Wilson, the junior partner, who had scarcely attained his majority when he embarked in the business, is the son of the late Rev. Dr. N. W. Wilson, who was one of the most eminent Baptist clergymen of the South, and who fell a martyr to his efforts in behalf of yellow-fever patients during the recent prevalence of the epidemic in New Orleans. Mr. Wilson is a young gentleman of the highest education and character, accurate and enterprising in business matters, and courteous and polished in his deportment. A young firm combining so much practical skill and business ability cannot fail to take a leading position in the commercial world.

November 2019 — looking towards 505-517 Brook Avenue

This 1886 entry from Industries of Richmond from tells us about the early success of old-school tobacco man Arthur St. Clair, just 16 short years prior to his later enterprise, Butler & Bosher, and his subsequent royal screwing by James Buchanan Duke.

The area eventually transformed into Abner Clay Park, which despite its disastrous appearance today, is actually undergoing a makeover, expected to be completed in March 2020.

(Butler & Wilson is part of the Atlas RVA! Project)

Print Sources

[IOR] Industries of Richmond. James P. Wood. 1886.

[RVCJ03] Richmond, Virginia: The City on the James: The Book of Its Chamber of Commerce and Principal Business Interests. G. W. Engelhardt. 1903.

[rocketwerks]

Ancient Advertising (95)

Watkins Barber Shop [illegible]

Marshall Street & Brook Road, SE corner

November 2018

[morrisperk]

#brookavenue #bronxarchitecture #southbronx (at Brook Avenue)

[rocketwerks]

Goddin's Tavern

AKA, Baker's Tavern 821 Brook Avenue Built, cira 1791 Demolished, 1912

[ORN]

The most interesting building ever located on Brook Avenue was Baker’s Tavern, better known as Goddin’s Tavern, built by Martin Baker in the late eighteenth century.

(Virginia Historical Society) Map of the City of Richmond, Micah Bates

Since the Swan and the St. Claire had been altered and only insurance policies record the appearance of the Eagle,2 Mr. Lancaster’s excellent photograph gives us our best idea of the primitive inns of early Richmond. Behind this building was another; both were of brick. In the courtyard was a spring of delicious water, shaded by large sycamores. Mordecai gives a lively if brief account of the life there when it was the first stopping point in town of the early drovers.

February 2015

Baker died in 1821. His sons had all moved away from Richmond, and in 1835 they divided the twenty-five acres that had surrounded the tavern into lots, and sold the tavern itself with a two-hundred-foot frontage to Captain John Goddin, who ran it for two decades. During the ’sixties it belonged to a Roman Catholic order, and was run as the hospital of St. Francis de Sales during the Civil War. Here Mrs. Patterson Allan, northern daughter-in-law of John Allan, was imprisoned when she was accused of traffic with the enemy. In 1883 Thomas F. Hannigan bought the old tavern and for a decade ran it as a saloon. [ORN]

The original location is unrecognizable today, vanished amidst the transformation of Brook Avenue into Brook Road, and now covered by the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.

[rocketwerks]

Beine House

530 Brook Avenue Built, 1836 Demolished, 1931

[ORN]

Again with the Brook Avenue thing!

January 2015

Twenty-five years ago when Palmer Gray took his delightful snapshots, the street still retained much of its charm. Among his pictures we select for illustration a house that stood in the triangle at Monroe and Brook, just across from 514 Monroe and the Lacy cottage,5 with which it must have made an old-world ensemble. Built in 1835 by Royal Parrish, it belonged for forty-two years to the family of August Beine, who in his lifetime ran a grocery there. [ORN]

[rocketwerks]

Meyer Saloon

533 Brook Avenue Built, 1860 Demolished, unknown

[ORN]

That's right, Skippy -- Brook Avenue. Street names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Northeast Brook Avenue & Duval Street, February 1953 (Valentine Museum)

Let those who want to visualize Richmond streets of the early 1800’s thread their way through Brook Avenue, which runs at a tangent north from Broad at its intersection with Adams, descends to Bacon Quarter Branch, and climbs the hill on the far side until it merges with a straight modern double road down which the Ashland carline formerly ran.

According to Mordecai, Brook Avenue was the oldest turnpike road leading into the city. The tobacco wagons followed it, turned east on Broad and then rumbled down the steep hill that is now Governor Street to the inspection warehouses. As late as 1845 it could still be called "the principal point of access to the city." [ORN]

(CWR)

There is no national (or international) standard on what constitutes a street versus a road, or an avenue, or boulevard, but generally, a road is a route between two endpoints that has been made passable to permit travel. Might be paved, might not. An avenue indicates a main thoroughfare within a city -- wider and straighter.

The map above depicts RVA version 1865, in the days before Chamberlayne Avenue.

(Ridefinders)

Somewhere in the creation of Chamberlayne to pull Route 1 directly into the city, it became the avenue. Brook, refactored with the construction of the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, became just a road.

December 2014

The most extraordinary building of any date on Brook was built in 1860 by George Meyer, who operated a saloon there as late as 1885. The corner of Brook Avenue and Leigh forms an acute angle, to which the flat-iron shaped house is fitted. Though some of the wooden porches and excrescences must have been added, they make today a bizarre ensemble. [ORN]

Look at the architecture of Brook Road today and it appears it was originally much wider. Orient yourself at the Northeast corner of Monroe Street and Brook Avenue, assume a wider lane, and you get a view much like that in Mary Wingfield Scott's undated photo at top. The white house from the 2014 image is strikingly similar to MWS's historic photo of the same location, with an identical cornice.