PHOTO ESSAY: The House at 113 Tazewell
Geraldine Richardson Scott was born in this house 93 years ago. She revisited it recently with her daughter, Nancy Phillips, and son John Scott. (Photos: Kim Abod)
By BILL NEVILLE
Cape Charles Historical Society
March 9, 2015
This is the story of the family that built the house at 113 Tazewell, and a glimpse of what life was like in Cape Charles in the early part of the 20th century when Geraldine Richardson’s parents raised their three children there. The house was built in 1914 by C.H. Legg, a building contractor in Cape Charles who also was busy laying some of the sidewalks in town. (He marked his work by leaving metal plates stamped with his name. Some still remain today.)
Geraldine Richardson Scott
This story begins with a late summer encounter when Sarah Kepple was visiting Cape Charles and wanted to see the house where her grandmother Geraldine Richardson Scott was born and grew up. The last time she had seen the house it was in great dis- repair and appeared abandoned, so she was happily surprised to see the house completely renovated including a nicely designed addition.
She called her to let her know about the amazing transition. Grandma said, “You should go knock on the door and tell them that your great-grandparents built this house.” So she did. The person who happened to be in the house was Missy, the sister of part time resident Kim Abod, who along with husband Craig bought and renovated the house.
Through a series of emails and phone calls, arrangements were made, and on November 7, a spry and witty Geraldine, now 93 years old and living in Norfolk, returned with two of her children, Nancy Phillips and John Scott, to the home where she was born in 1921.
Geraldine Richardson Scott and her children sat in the living room with Kim Abod along with Bill and Jan Neville (two interlopers from the Cape Charles Historical Society who muscled in to be a part of the occasion) and began to tell stories as we looked through albums of family pictures.
Homeowner Kim hosted the family on a most excellent tour while more stories were told as the group went from room to room.
Geraldine’s family was very much involved in the business community of Cape Charles. Her father, Clarence Leonard Richardson, was a tailor and ran a cleaning and pressing business named RCP on Mason Avenue.
During WW I, Navy sailors who were stationed on Sandy Island would come to town to meet town girls. Some sailors married local girls.
Before the family left town, Geraldine and her children went to 209 Mason Avenue and checked out where the RCP business was located (in what is now Gallery 209).
A young Geraldine sits with her dolls while her mother and brothers entertain as her father looks on in approval.
Her mother’s family, the Fitzgeralds, along with the Richardsons, owned and operated a bathhouse at the foot of the jetty that also was available for various social occasions.
113 TAZEWELL CHRONOLOGY
This craftsman-influenced modified American Four Square is a classic example of the architecture of its era. Built a century ago by Charles H. Legg for Clarence L. and Carrie Richardson, it was also home for the Samuel E. Lambertson family for five decades. In recent years, the home had fallen into serious disrepair and had served as a refuge for many of the town’s pigeons. Owners Kim and Craig Abod of Northern Virginia acquired the home in 2009 and are delighted to have had the opportunity to have it re- stored to its prior standing as a charming addition to the town.
Great story! And thanks to Kim Abod for having such an interest in the owners of the past!
Betty, thanks for sending this. I really did enjoy reading it!!!
I had read this before, but hadn’t commented. So, I read it again, and really enjoyed it again! I love the picture of Aunt Gerry with her dolls, by the piano with her brothers and mother with her dad looking on. She was much younger than her brothers! Still kicking at 93! Amazing!