Lakeside Park Club

Lakeside Park Club traces its origins to the late 19th century, when Lakeside Park was created in Richmond's northern suburbs. Unlike other parks of the era, it was financed by a single benefactor, Lewis Ginter, who — in contrast to many country club founders of the time — had no close ties to the street railway business.

To draw visitors northward, Ginter developed the grounds with clubhouses, boat houses, bowling alleys, a pavilion, a restaurant and a zoological garden. He also built a clubhouse for the Lakeside Wheel Club, a social group of bicycling enthusiasts who rode out along a cinder path that later became Lakeside Avenue. Women were not admitted as members, though they could receive extended club privileges when sponsored by a member. The clubhouse hosted dances as well as coming-out parties for the season's debutantes.