Isabella Macdonald Alden was born the youngest child in a loving, and very tight-knit family.
She and her sisters were especially close, even though there was a vast difference in their ages.
For example, Isabella celebrated her first birthday the same year her eldest sister, Elizabeth, married and moved into a home of her own. But since Elizabeth’s new house was only a few steps from the Macdonald’s front door, Isabella and Elizabeth shared a close relationship.
The same was true of Mary, who was 14 years older than Isabella. When Mary wed and set up housekeeping, her home was built on property that abutted the Macdonald’s back garden. As a result, Isabella spent a lot of time with Mary and they, too, had a special bond.
It’s no wonder, then, that when Isabella married and began keeping a house of her own, she made certain the door was always open to family members. She wanted her sisters to feel the same welcoming spirit in her house as she had always felt in theirs.
When her son Raymond was young, Isabella and her husband Ross began taking him to Florida, hoping the southern climate would benefit Raymond’s health. To their relief, Raymond’s health did improve, so the Aldens decided to make Florida their winter home.
They bought a plot of land in the new town of Winter Park, and began building a house that would be big enough to accommodate plenty of family members.
They built on an oversized lot on the corner of Lyman and Interlachen avenues, right across the street from All Saints Episcopal Church.
The house was completed in 1888. Ross dubbed it “Pansy Cottage,” a name that stuck and was soon known all over town. This photo shows the size of the “cottage”:
The inviting home was three stories tall, with large yards in front and back, and a wrap-around porch that invited family, friends and neighbors to sit down and enjoy a cozy chat. It was the perfect place for the family to gather, far away from the cold New York winters.
In this photo you can see family members on the front steps and porch, in the yard, and even peeking out of the top-most windows. They look like they’re having fun!
Isabella and her family members spent many happy winters at the Pansy Cottage; and the Florida climate did improve Raymond’s health.
In 1906 Ross and Isabella began their preparations for retirement. They sold Pansy Cottage and moved to their new house in Palo Alto, California where, once again, everyone was welcome in Isabella’s new home.
In fact, she and Ross shared the California house with their son Raymond, and his wife and children, as well as Isabella’s sisters Julia and Mary.
After Ross and Isabella sold Pansy Cottage, it was passed along to different owners. Eventually, it was turned into a rooming house; and in 1955 Pansy Cottage was demolished. But thanks to photos like these, we can still peek into Isabella’s world and imagine a bit of her life with those she loved in turn-of-the-century Florida.
Click here to read more about Isabella’s house in Palo Alto, California.
This post is part of our Blogiversary Celebration! Leave a comment below or on Isabella’s Facebook page to be entered in a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card! We’ll announce the winner on Friday, September 28.
Isabella Alden 
How neat! Too bad it’s not standing. I would have loved to have visited!
I had the same thought, Ryana! —Jenny
Would you happen to know what month the book Helen Lester was published? I’m an author, and I would love to make reference to it;)
I believe Helen Lester was published in January 1865. Here’s why: My copy of the book has an 1865 copyright date. Then, I found an article in the Prebyter (a Cincinnati newspaper) dated January 18, 1865, which states Helen Lester was “just published.” Here’s a link to that newspaper clipping. I hope that helps, but let me now if you have any more questions. I wish you much success with your book! —Jenny
Thank you so much!
Oh, I wish I could go visit that house! Imagine getting invited to spend a few weeks with Isabella Alden in that house! And it’s fun to realize that her stories set in Florida, or at least far south, were taken from personal experience.
I would love to see the house, too, Rebekah, especially the interior, so I could imagine all the family gatherings that took place there. —Jenny
Yes! That would have been so neat.
I, too, would have loved to see the family homes! I enjoyed the family picture…my Mother loved Grace Livingston Hill books!! Thank you so much!
You’re welcome, Diane! Glad you liked the post. —Jenny
Huh, I didn’t know Grace Livingston Hill wrote more than two books. Did she write more than romance? *hopes she did*
Grace wrote over one-hundred romance novels. She also wrote short stories, as well as a non-fiction book about the origins of The Salvation Army. For many years she wrote a syndicated newspaper column with Bible lessons for Christian Endeavorers (I could be off on that description; I read the compilation of her columns many years ago). Like her Aunt Isabella, Grace was a very busy writer!
Oh, so she was a romance writer, I see.
WAIT WHAT???? THEY WERE RELATED??? I just thought their writing styles were similar, I had no clue. O_O
It’s true! Isabella and Grace’s mother, Marcia, were sisters. —Jenny
I had no idea, oh wow! *is mindblown* I thought they were contemporaries, but not actually related. Wow. I’d gotten some of Grace’s books from a friend, which is how I knew her. Never considered they were related.
woahh…
If you’d like to find out more about Grace’s life and her many, many books, you can visit this popular website: GraceLivingstonHill.com.
I will, thanks! I’m going to really read Alden too, I had no clue at all. 😀
An amazing cottage! Family is so important. We don’t see nearly enough of ours like we used to! It’s also interesting that Isabella moved from one side of the country to the other. I did not realize she lived in the California Bay Area, just a few hours drive from where I live. 🙂
Her house in Palo Alto is still standing, Shannon. The last time I saw it, it looked a little run down; I hope someone is taking good care of it now, and making wonderful family memories of their own. —Jenny
Amazing house! And someone is doing amazing research, thank you!
I’m glad you liked the post, Barbara! —Jenny
I love the pictures of her “cottage”! Old houses like that are so nice!
I love old houses, too, Ruthann! —Jenny
I woulda liked to seen that house in real life, I wonder if it’s recognized as a historical site, the way Louisa May Alcott’s was?
I agree, Jo. I would have loved to have seen the house, too. —Jenny
It must have been a great place to be. 🙂
I continue to love to read about Isabella’s life and how it influenced her stories. We need more family time in this day and age; An opportunity for our children/grandchildren to feel connected and loved.
I agree with you, Debby! Well said. —Jenny
The pansy cottage is. Dream. House. Lol. I love huge houses and plenty of family n friends around
I agree, Diane. It’s a gorgeous house, and I imagine the interior had comfortable rooms for large family gatherings. Jenny