Before the bridge. Before VIMS. Long, long before Route 17 became four lanes, with more lanes at its southern end in Gloucester:

Gloucester Point was once a very different place. Between the 20th century’s world wars, it was a self-sufficient spot lapped by the warm waters of the York River, a place to spend a quiet summer vacation while dancing over the edge of the beach and watching the world come and go on the ferry.

Billie Ishkanian Edwards, who grew up in the former Abingdon Hotel at Gloucester Point, entertained a large audience Sunday at a meeting of the Gloucester Historical Society, held in the Abingdon Episcopal Church parish house.

Edwards said the hotel was owned and operated by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Marion A. Robins. She and her family lived there during the first two decades of her life. During the summer some family members had to move into other buildings on the property to make room for guests. Some of these guests came back year after year, staying f...