In 1928 James R. Gilliam, Jr., recognizing the historical value of the mansion, purchased Point of Honor and deeded it to the City of Lynchburg. Point of Honor ceased to be a residence and became a recreation center for the Daniel’s Hill neighborhood. This proved to be its salvation.
As a public building, Point of Honor served a variety of functions during the 40-year period it was owned by the City of Lynchburg. Always a recreation facility, it doubled as a soup kitchen during the Great Depression, a nursery during World War II, and hosted countless neighborhood social functions through the years.
During this time the key to the house’s survival was the constant maintenance it received. The roof was kept sound, the windows replaced when they were broken, and the grounds kept clear. Several small structures did disappear due to their dilapidated condition, and most of oak trees were lost to age, but the house was preserved.
Did you attend the Point of Honor Recreation Center as a child? Do you have any memories of the site? Photographs from that period? Please let us know!