25 Facts About Lewis Ginter

Lewis Ginter was an American businessman, financier, military officer, real estate developer, and philanthropist based in Richmond, Virginia.

Lewis Ginter served in the Confederacy, attaining the rank of major and played a major role in bringing Richmond back from the ravages of the Civil War.

Lewis Ginter was born to John and Elizabeth Ginter on April 4,1824, in New York City.

Lewis Ginter's father owned a grocery store, but died soon after Ginter was born.

Several years later, Lewis Ginter's mother died, leaving him to be raised by his married sister, Jane Lewis Ginter Arents.

In 1842, at the age of eighteen, Lewis Ginter relocated to Richmond, Virginia, to open up a shop selling notions and toys.

Lewis Ginter had visited the city at least once before with an uncle.

Lewis Ginter was present during Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, and returned to Richmond several days later.

Lewis Ginter was offered the presidency, but declined and remained a director until his death.

Lewis Ginter invited his sister, Jane Arents, and three of her daughters, Grace, Joanna, and Minnie, to live with him at 405 East Cary Street.

Lewis Ginter's renovated and enlarged Westbrook house included a private barbershop.

The neighborhood, known as Lewis Ginter Park, attracted the Union Theological Seminary and was eventually annexed to the City of Richmond.

Lewis Ginter laid the groundwork for several adjoining neighborhoods, including Bellevue Park and Sherwood Park.

Lewis Ginter established the Lakeside Wheel Club in 1895, and Lakeside Park in 1896.

Always eager to improve Richmond, Lewis Ginter hired famed architects Carrere and Hastings in 1892 to design a world-class hotel known as the Jefferson.

Lewis Ginter's father was a shoemaker, and Pope acquired the delivery job at the age of 14 to help his family make ends meet.

Lewis Ginter eventually hired Pope to work in the New York tobacco depot.

When Lewis Ginter relocated back to Richmond, he brought Pope along with him as his apprentice.

Pope was buried in a plot in Hollywood Cemetery that Lewis Ginter had reserved for himself.

Lewis Ginter suffered from diabetes, and his health quickly declined before being bedridden at his Westbrook estate.

Lewis Ginter's funeral was regarded as one of the largest in Richmond's history, and about a year later his remains were placed in a private mausoleum in Hollywood Cemetery, overlooking the James River.

At the time of his death, Lewis Ginter had amassed one of the largest personal fortunes in the South.

Lewis Ginter's enduring commitment to Richmond is evidenced in his significant investments in real estate, business, and most notably, his philanthropic activity.

Lewis Ginter's will included gifts to almost every charity and public institution in the city.

Lewis Ginter developed St Andrew's Episcopal Church and St Andrew's School, built playgrounds, and funded numerous schools and medical institutions.