We associate the name Alexei Gavrilov with a Dynasty of Verny tobacco entrepreneurs.
He started his business in the 1970s. The climate of Seven rivers land was favorable for the cultivation of elite varieties of tobacco: "Dyubek," "Havana", "Enizhde". The quality of Turkish and Cuban variety, planted near Verny were superior to those grown in the homeland.
Like aport apples, Seven Rivers tobacco became famous throughout Russia and even abroad. It won more than 200 prestigious medals. Especially a new type "Kneyster Gavrilovsky" was awarded with the Grand Prix and diplomas in exhibitions in Paris, Naples and Barcelona.
In 1926 the Almaty State Tobacco Factory was established after the nationalization of the company and run by Michael Gavrilov.
The Gavrilovs’ House on Lepsinskaya Street (now Furmanov Street) was large and beautiful. It had 12 rooms. There was one Russian and eight Dutch ovens. In its original form, it was a model of a merchant's house. In the 1970s the house moved to Zheltoksan Street 167. It was a declared republican monument of wooden architecture.
In 1980’s the house was restored and occupied by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Now it is the Reception House of Almaty Akim.
