



Avoca was originally the private residence of Colonel Charles Lynch (1736-1796). He established his home here in 1755 as part of a land grant from King George II to his father, in 1740, and called it Green Level. Colonel Charles Lynch was a planter and distinguished himself as a lawmaker and a soldier during the turbulent times of the Revolutionary era. The property was passed down through the Lynch family and upon the death of Charles Henry Lynch (1800-1875), the property went to his niece, Mary Anna Dearing Fauntleroy. Her grandson, Dr. Lindley Murray Winston, deeded the property to the Town of Altavista in 1981 as a memorial to his family. At that time the property consisted of the main house, brick kitchen, smokehouse, milk house, farm office, and approximately ten acres.
Avoca is a country Victorian house constructed in 1901, after the original and second dwellings were destroyed by fire in 1879 and 1900. The house is a commissioned work of the Lynchburg Architect, John Minor Botts Lewis in the Queen Anne style. It is a Virginia landmark and listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is maintained as a historical museum. The collection, displays, programs and interpretations are planned to take account of the cultural and natural history of the region. The property is used for education and recreational purposes and serves the people of the greater Altavista area.
Connect With Our Community!

Cruise In On Main!
A Main Street Community

517 Broad Street
Uncle Billy's Day
Visit the Avoca Museum
701 Broad Street
615 & 617 Broad Street

Restaurant opportunity!!
606 7th Street
For the winners list: Click here for the 2011 Giblet Jog results!
It was a beautiful day for the 5th Annual Abbott Nutrition Giblet Jog 5k! The results are in and posted: Click here for the 2011 Giblet Jog results!
Altavista Art & Antiques
Local art, antiques, primitives,
collectibles and much more!!
623 Broad St., Altavista!! Hours:
Tuesday and Wednesday- 11am-6pm
Thursday and Friday- 11am-7pm
Saturdays- 10am-5pm
*Click here for additional upcoming events in the Altavista area...
You can find out more about Altavista at the following links:
Altavista Area Chamber of Commerce
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The scene is of Main Street Altavista, circa '40s, depicting Jimmy's Café, It was painted from an actual photograph taken during that time. The prints are priced at $30.00 each on high quality archival paper. The print may be viewed and purchased at the Medicine Shoppe, Altavista Art and Antiques, AOT Office on 2nd floor of Town Hall and will be for sale at the Giblet Jog on Thanksgiving Day at English Park. Start your holiday shopping early and take advantage of this nostalgic and affordable gift idea.

Jimmy's Cafe
The scene depicted in this print is from approximately 1947/48 taken on Main Street in Altavista, VA. The owners, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Thomas (Mary Driskill), opened their first restaurant in 1929/30 at 814 Main Street, then sold it to Mickey James in 1931, due to the depression. The couple moved to Washington, D.C., where Mr. Thomas became a bus driver. The family moved back to Altavista in 1945 and opened "Jimmy's Cafe" in the building presently housing "The General Store and Inn", seen in this print. At one point in 1950 for 30 to 60 days, the owners also fed the National Guardsmen. In 1965, the owners built a new restaurant directly across the street from this one. One year after it was built, a cafeteria was constructed in the lower level. During this time, for eight years, the Thomas' also served around 14,500 meals to passengers at the Southern Station. From 1967 - 1972, chaperoned dances for teenagers were held in the lower level each Saturday, with as many as 475 in attendance each Saturday evening. There were as many as thirty employees at the peak of the business, with one working from the second week of the opening to its closing in June 1975.
Altavista On Track is launching the sale of prints of "Jimmy's Cafe" painted in Warer Color by local artist Karen Blaesing. Read more....