Signage For Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA - The Nature In Us - Donna L. Watkins

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Historical account of a 17th century resort near Richmond, VA. Visited July 22, 2012.

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Original Resort Building - Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA
John Cussons built Forest Lodge as a resort along the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad where it intersects with Mountain Road in Glen Allen. The luxurious hotel had 125 rooms and stood six stories high. It took 6 years to build and was completed in the early 1880s. The Victorian structure featured elaborate woodworking and handpainted murals of landscapes and portraitures throughout the interior. Each room had large windows to let in light and provide a pleasant view of the countryside. Cussons' vision included a 1000-acre park surrounding the lodge, which included trails and three lakes for canoeing and fishing. Throughout the park, deer partridges, peacocks, turkey and other wildlife roamed freely.

1932 Picture of Remaining Part of the Building - Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA
Visitors lounged on a wide porch that extended around the building on several floors. There was a grand dining room, a music room and an amateur theater for entertainment. Among visitors to the lodge were Buffalo Bill and members of the Sioux tribe with whome he lived with out west in the 1850's. There was local success, but the traveling public never made the resort a regular stop. The lodge remained open until 1912 when John Cussons died. The property went through a number of different owners and by 1932, half of the lodge was torn down. It was used sporadically as office space and apartments until it was razed in 1992.

About John Cussons - Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA
Cussons started a lucrative printing company in 1868. He patented a calendar and popularized the practice of using it as an advertising medium. He is attributed with inventing the flip-top desk and perpetual calendar. His company, Cussons, May and Co." sold druggist's labels and calendars throughout the U.S., Canada and Great Britain. Toward the end of his life, Cussons, a successful soldier, explorer, historical writer, and landowner, became more reclusive. He died in 1912 and is buried at the Hollywood Cemetary in the Oregon section of Richmond.

About John Cussons - Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA
After the Civil War, Cussons returned to Glen Allen. He married Susan Sheppard Allen in 1864. Susan Allen was the widow of Benjamin Allen after whom Glen Allen was named. She was also the sister of Dr. John Sheppard of Meadow Farm, which we visited just prior to Forest Lodge.

Signage For Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA

Remains of The Building Before It Was Demolished - Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA
This tower and the surrounding columns are original architectural elements from Forest Lodge, salvaged at the time of demolition in 1992. The late 19th century hotel was located on Mountain Rd. in the center of Glen Allen just west of the railroad tracks.

Randal at Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA
This building is actually the tower of the hotel in its 1932 makeover, and the columns were salvaged also at the time of demolition.

View From Mountain Road - Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA
The grass was like a thick cushion and such a beautiful shade of green.

House Across The Street From Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA

Signage For Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA

Signage For Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA

Signage For Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, VA

Fujifilm FinePix HS10 HS11 |

More details: exif |

Original size: 1295x1111 |

Current: 699x600 |

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Keywords: lodge forest allen glen

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