The Domain of Arnheim
The Story of Arnheim's Name
At first glance, Arnheim's name seems fairly straightforward. Its location overlooking the New River is reflected in the German meaning of the word - the Home of the Eagle. "Arn" is a old German word for eagle and "heim" means home.
Upon review, however, things get more complicated. Arnheim, built in 1838, was apparently modeled after a home John Radford admired while attending medical school in Philadelphia.
According to writings by his third child, Anne Rebecca (1843-1890), the house was not named until several years after the family moved in. And the name "Arnheim" seems not to have been the first choice.
In the book "The Radford Letters", author Minnie Adams Fitting cites Anne Rebecca as saying: "The name of "Bleak House" had been suggested as appropriate from the bleakness of its northern exposure, but my father had met Dickens on his American tour and, not being pleased with him, he declined to honor his work by naming his home in honor of it."
Arnheim's northern exposure. Not so bleak at all.
No one knows how Arnheim's northern exposure looked like in the middle of the 19th century but given its view of the river and the generally green landscape it does not seem to warrant the attribute of "bleak" or "barren".
So the suggestion of "Bleak House" seems to be more closely related to the famous novel by Charles Dickens. "Bleak House" was first published between 1852 and 1853, probably around the time when the Radfords were deciding to name their home.
Dr. Radford was an educated man and he was known to have one of the best private libraries in this part of the state. Apparently he harbored a personal animosity towards Dickens but he might have found inspiration in literature nevertheless.
Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849)
In 1847, Edgar Allen Poe published a short and by now largely forgotten story entitled "The Domain of Arnheim". Poe describes an immensely rich character named Ellison whose prime interest is landscape design. He envisions a fantasy landscape of poetic scope that in some ways resembles the location of the Radfords' home.
In the story, Arnheim is approached by riverside. The idyllic waters gradually open to view a fantastical paradise with dreamlike flowers, colorful birds, and sublime architecture. It seems altogether more likely for Dr. Radford to name his home after this enthralling vision than the rather uninspiring "Bleak House".
There is no definitive proof that Dr. Radford borrowed the name "Arnheim" from Edgar Allen Poe (who studied at the University of Virginia just five years before him). But it certainly seems like a good choice.
The Domain of Arnheim
Arnheim under fire
The absent-minded doctor