Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 180

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360

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HOTELS AND BATHING ESTABLISHMENTS

KINGS COUNTY.

HOTELS, OLD AND NEW.

H OSPITALITY among the early settlers of Brook- lyn was so general and travelers so few, that no hotels were erected until more than one hundred years after the first settlement. In 1746 the corporation of New York city erected a ferry honse on the "old ferry road," partly on the site of the present Nos. 19, 21 and 23 Fulton street, which was burned in 1748. Its successor was the "ferry tavern " at the foot of, and on the northerly side of the "old road," (now Fulton street, near Front, to which point the East river then rose at high water). It was a large and gloomy stone building, abont sixty feet square, two stories high, standing in such a way, cornerwise, as to leave only thirty-five and a half feet for the width of the street at that point. Being owned by the corpora- tion of New York, it was known as the "Corporation House;" also as the " Coffin House," from the circum- stance of having a coffin hoisted npon its flag-staff at one time. It had been noted as a tavern for thirty years before the Revolution. Its last incumbent, be- fore the Battle of Brooklyn, was Captain Adolph Waldron, who was also the " ferry master."

Being an active patriot, he was, of course, compelled to leave during the British occupation. He was succeeded by Charles Loosely and Thomas Elms, thorough loyalists, who named the old tavern "The King's Head," fitted it up anew, and catered so sne- cessfully to the taste of their military and royalist pa- trons that it became a popular resort for army officers and the fashionables of the day. Lieut. Anbury, in a letter to a friend in England, dated New York, Oct. 30, 1781, refers to it thus: "On crossing the East River from New York, you land at Brooklyn, which is a scattered village, consisting of a few honses. At this place is an excellent tavern, where parties are made to go and cat fish; the landlord of which has saved an immense fortune during the war." This head-quarters of royalists and tories was subsequently known by the name " Brooklyn Hall." Other hostel-

ries were established in time. In the N. Y. Mercury of May 9, 1774, John Cornell announces that "he has opened a tavern on Tower Hill, Brooklyn, near the new ferry, called 'St. George's.' Companies will be entertained if they bring their own liquor, and may dress turtle, etc., on the very lowest terms." Tower Hill was a slight eminence on what is now Columbia Heights, between Middagh and Cranberry streets.

Benjamin Smith's Inn was a large stone building on the east side of the road, opposite the old "Corpora- tion House." It was a two-story stone building, with bar and sitting room in the corner, and a swinging sign before the door. It was a noted stopping-place for Long Island Quakers; was also the place of deposit for the New York papers, which were here delivered to subscribers.

In 1782 John Ross opened a tavern next to Loosely's, and " laid in an assortment of the best LIQUORS." On the corner of Elizabeth street stood a very old brick building, oeenpied by Daniel Mott as a tavern, which was burned in 1814. Next above Smith's Inn was Martin Boerum's tavern, afterward kept by John Hun- ter, a rough, jovial man, whose stand became head- quarters for his comrades and military acquaintances. Nearly opposite Front street, stood Selah Smith's tav- ern, a double frame building, built in 1780. On the corner near the ferry, now oeenpied by Marston's coal yard, was originally Richard Mott's tavern, afterwards kept by Townsend & Cox, Joel Conklin, and Daniel Wright successively, and was a general stopping-place for the habitués of the ferry. On the corner of Fulton and Water streets stood a tavern kept by Capt. King, then by Mr. Barman, afterwards by A. Yung and G. C. Langdon. It was sneceeded by the present Frank- lin Honse, No. 1 Fulton street. In the upper part of the old hotel was a large ball-room, which was also used by Elias Hicks, the Quaker, for preaching. Next above was Coe S. Downing's tavern and stage-house, who was as large in proportion as his immense sign, that projected over the sidewalk. The second door

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HOTELS AND BATHING ESTABLISHMENTS.

above stood Samuel Carman's tavern, who was re- garded as an oraele, especially on "horse " matters. A little above Orange street, in 1816, was "Biddy " Stephenson's liquor saloon and "Ice Cream Garden." After the death of her husband, William, who had kept the "Auld Lang Syne," or Washington Inn, on the opposite side of the way, she removed the business and the sign to the west side of the street; there town, village and publie meetings were often held. A little distance south of Love Lane was Lawrence Brower's tavern, ealled "Mount Pleasant Garden," which was also resorted to for popular gatherings. The elections were then held for three successive days, either at Devoe's " Black Horse " tavern on Fulton street, or at Duflon's Military Garden. A little north of the pres- ent Mechanies' Bank, on the corner of Montague street, stood Mrs. Well's "Bee Hive." Near Washington and Johnson streets was Dempsey's hotel, "The Vil- lage Garden," where the young fellows used to " shoot turkey." Whitehead Howard's tavern was on the southwest corner of Water and Main streets; and on the opposite corner Van Winkle's tavern and grocery. On a high hill near the present Bridge street, was " Mount Prospect Tavern," where the New York row- dies used to hold high carnival. On the southwest eorner of Water and Little street was Scott's tavern, kept by his widow for many years after his death. John Little built a small tavern close to the Navy Yard entranec. In 1831, when the number of families in Brooklyn was estimated at 1,780, there was one tavern for every ten families, 110 licensed taverns and 68 unlicensed. The famous restaurant kept by John Joseph, on the northeast corner of Prospect street and Stuart's alley, might appropriately be mentioned in this connection. He kept the best Heidsieek, and fried oysters in unequalled style. On what is now Furman street, was a tavern kept by an Englishman, with this inseription:

"This sign hangs high; it hinders none; Come, take a nip, and travel on."

But the most celebrated resort for many years was the Military Garden, on the site of the present Court- house ; it was originally occupied by Thomas Coe, a blacksmith, but in 1810, passed into the hands of Col. Greene, by whom it was named; it reached its greatest ex- cellenee while under the control of Mons. John Francois Louis Du Flon. There was a large and fine hall, for balls, eoneerts, and traveling shows, with a pleasant garden adjoining, tastefully adorned with flowers and shrubbery. Du Flon died in 1853, and the garden fell into deeay; all traees were removed in 1862 to make way for the County Court-house.

With the progress of years and the growth of the eity, saloons for the retailing of liquor came into ex- istence, and supplanted the old taverns, which fast disappeared. The hotels now existing in the city are as follows:

The MANSION HOUSE, on Hieks street, near Pierre- pont, was built in 1833 or '34, by one of the Cornells, for a Female Seminary. It then comprised the old portion of the building which stands baek from the street. In 1838 or '40, it was opened as a hotel by Edward R. Yale, who condueted it successfully for a great many years. In 1872, Daniel Buhler rented it, and remained until 1874. Since that time it has been in the hands of various lessees; Messrs. Peed and Van Cleef having been the owners of the lease sinee 1882. It is owned by one of the heirs of Mr. Yale. The large addition containing the dining-room was ereeted in 1855.

The CLINTON IIOUSE, Fulton street, near Clinton, was built in 1846, and has been continuously occupied as a hotel since that time, having passed through many vicissitudes under many owners.

THE PIERREPONT HOUSE.

The PIERREPONT HOUSE, corner of Montague and Hieks streets, was ereeted in 1853 by Litehfield and Keteham, and was opened by Russell and Chase, in 1854. It is a brick structure, about 75 by 90 feet, six stories in height. In 1857, Chase and Whitney fol- lowed, succeeded by Mr. Burns, in 1865, and by D. P. Peters until 1868. Wm. J. Ackerman bought it in 1868, and four years later, C. N. Peed, the present proprietor, purchased and now conduets it.

The CLARENDON, corner of Washington and John- son streets, was opened as a restaurant in 1873, being connected with the Brooklyn Theatre, and was eon- dueted by Hubel for a number of years. In 1883, it passed into the hands of its present proprietor, and was re-named. Brooklyn is so largely a eity of homes, and has so few transient visitors; that there is less need of large hotels than in other eities, as New York, the principal sojourning point for strangers, is so well

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

ALITTLE

supplied. Measures are under consideration for the erection of a large hotel in the future, but no definite location has been selected as yet.

The WALDO HOUSE, est. 1877, by Waldo E. Fuller, at corner of Hamilton avenue and Union street, is six stories high, with basement, with accommodations for 100 guests, and is the only hotel in this part of the city. Mr. Fuller was born in Jersey City in 1856, and has been a resident of Brooklyn for fifteen years.

CHARLES N. PEED is, in every sense of the word, a Brook- lynite, for Brooklyn is his birthplace, and here he was edu- cated, and here he has spent his life. He began his educa- tion in the schools of Brooklyn, the one principally presided over by Mr. Adrian Hegeman, whose school was kept in the old building, more recently known as " Gothic Hall." Here young Peed attended school until he was fourteen years of age, attaining a good practical education. In 1844, he en- tered the office of the Brooklyn Daily Advertiser, as an office boy. This paper was started in January of that year to ad- vocate the election of Henry Clay as President. In this it did good service. In this office young Peed passed through all the stages of office-work-as compositor, pressman, fore- man of job office, police and city reporter, and then in charge of the office as cashier and book-keeper.

His connection with the Advertiser continued till 1851, when its senior proprietor and editor, H. A. Lees, died. Close application and undeviating attention to his business having impaired Mr. Peed's health, he severed his connection with that journal. During his engagement with it, he success- fully effected a plan to send boys to the ferries for the sale of newspapers. He was the originator of this plan. He also was the first person who introduced and operated a Card Press on Long Island. He purchased a " Yankee " Press, with a platen 6x8, from the inventor of the Gordon Press. This purchase was made for doing the small work of the office, all of which had previously been done in New York. Mr. Peed's employers having refused to purchase this press, he assumed the responsibility and purchased it with his own means, with the understanding that he was to uperate it on his own account, after regular working hours. This invest- ment and venture proved eminently successful, so much so, that Mr. Peed has always deemed it the starting point or entering wedge of his financial life.

On leaving the office of the Advertiser, Mr. Peed entered into the real estate business, as a partner in the old and well-known firms of Stone & Sothen, and Bage & Sothen, where he continued until 1855, when his relations with them terminated, and the firni of Peed and Cole, real estate and general auctioneers, was formed. Mr. Peed continued this business relation till 1872, when it was dissolved, and he purchased the interest of W. J. Anderson in the Pierrepont

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HOTELS AND BATHING ESTABLISHMENTS.

House, now, in every sense, a first-class hotel, and as such, widely and favorably known to the public. But, when Mr. Peed's connection with the house commenced, it was very much run down. It was not long, however, before the exe- cutive ability, the forecast, energy, and popular manner of Mr. Peed began to effect a most salutary change in its every department, placing it on a remunerative basis, and finally bringing it up to the high standard we have described-the leading hotel of Brooklyn.

In 1882, Mr. Peed leased the Mansion House, in Brooklyn, favorably known to the travelling public, which he is con- ducting in connection with Mr. John C. Van Cleaf, the former gentlemanly clerk of the Pierrepont House.

Mr. Peed, in all the vicissitudes of his business career, has been guided by a high sense of honor, by a business sagacity which has given him a very high rank in the business circles of Brooklyn, and an honorable position among its citizens.

BATHS.

To CHARLES H. SHEPARD, M. D., is due the honor of first introducing into Brooklyn the Turkish Bath, in October, 1863. The first month only 50 baths

were given, but during the first ycar the number rcached 2,000, and the fifth year it had grown to 15,000. Dr. Shepard still conducts his establishment at 81 and 83 Columbia Heights, where the several forms of Turkish, Russian, Roman and Electric baths arc given, including massage, according to the most approved and enjoyable methods.

Turkish, Russian and Electric Baths, cst. at 34 Clinton street, April 17, 1880. A. L. WOOD, M. D., the projector, designer and physician of the institution, has had the most extended and extensive experience in the administration of the Turkish Bath of any man in America. In the year 1861, he was connected with the first Turkish Bath ever built in this country, in Boston. He afterwards visited and studied the best establish- ments in Europe; erected baths in Providence, Mon- treal and other cities; and, in 1864, built the first, and for four years the only Turkish Bath in New York city.

THE COUNTY JAIL IN RAYMOND STREET .*

Addenda to Bench and Bar of Kings County (page 341).

The Jail in Raymond street having been repeatedly condemned as unsafe by the Grand Jury, the Super- visors were urged to erect a new one in its place. . At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, August 22, 1877, a resolution was passed appropriating $25,000 for a site for the Jail. With the money so appropriated they purchased from the Brooklyn City Hospital the land on which the new Jail stands. On the 30th of December, 1878, the County Treasurer was authorized to borrow $245,000, and to advertise for proposals. The Committee on Jail, consisting of A. Gubner, Peter Van Cott, James Hyde, Daniel Ryan and Alexander Walker, at the same meeting, reported on proposals for finishing one wing to the proposed new Jail under the plans of William A. Mundell, architect; the mason and plumbing work was given to Freel & McNamee for $200,000; hcating to W. N. Abbott, for $16,500; H. L. Wilson, for concrete work, $15,076.50, and the Yale Lock Company, for locks, $7,125. A contract was directed to be made in accordance with these bids.

On March 20, 1879, the County Treasurer was directed to issue bonds for $245,000, and May 1, 1879, the same were issued. On August 5, 1879, the Board directed the County Treasurer to issue bonds to raise $17,000 for extra plumbing. On the 22d of April, 1880, an official visit was made by the Board of Supervisors, and almost immediately thercafter the prisoners were transferred from the old Jail and the new one was oc- cupied.

In building the Jail there was a very singular over- sight on the part of the architect or Supervisors. When it was completed there was no front door to the building, and afterward a resolution was passed appro- priating out of the unexpended balance to the credit of the Jail account the sum of $1,850 to cut out and make a door in the place where the door ought to have been.

The county realized $5,798.30 premiums on the bonds issued for the Jail. This speaks well for the credit of the county. The amount unexpended of the appropriations when the Jail was completed was $405.18. The total cost of the Jail was as follows (including $25,000 for land purchase): $320,393.12.

* Condensed from article on Court-Houses and Jails of Kings County, In Advance for January, 1883, by Stephen M. Ostrander, Esq.

GENERAL TRADE AND MERCHANDISE

BROOKLYN AND KINGS COUNTY.

DRY GOODS.

I T is now difficult to traee the early history of the older lines of the retail dry goods trade in this city, owing to the lapse of time and the loss of re- liable information concerning them. The first Brooklyn directory published in 1796, gives the names of Clous and Rhodes and Joseph Fox as " storekeepers " in the "Main Road ;" Jacob Eagles, Joseph Field, grocers, Main Road; Kyd & Jedlye, grocers, corner of Main and New Ferry Roads; Gilbert Van Mater, grocer, Old Ferry Doek. In 1801, Furman & Sands advertised their " store " at the New Ferry. In 1806, Thomas Langdon was dealer in boots and shoes, and Henry Hewlett kept a stoek of general merchandise near the Old Ferry.

In the first number of the Long Island Stur, 1809, Thomas Morton advertised his dry goods kept in the store of the late Mrs. Brasher. In 1810, was the disso- lution of the firm of Rapalye & Mooney, after which Abraham Rupalye kept the stock of dry goods on Old Ferry Road, and Mary Mooney retained the "millenary business," next door.

In 1811, Abraham Remsen had his dry goods store at the corner of Fulton and Front streets. Henry Ald- worth was at the corner of Main and Middagh streets, from 1817 till after 1820. At about the same time, Mrs. J. M. Williams and Williams & Nichols. In 1823, we find Henry Dikeman at 15 Fulton, Hewlett & Allen, 46 Fulton, and the next year, E. A. Clones, also Rushmore && Suyder. Dikeman d' Covert came the year following. In 1825, John & George Hall are mentioned among the merchants. A few years later Robert Pettit and F. L. Rushmore, were retailers of dry goods, the former on Main street, the latter on Fulton. In 1828, Elijah Lewis, Sr., opened a store on Fulton, between High and Nassan streets, which was then thought too far np town, and he afterward moved down to the corner of Sands street, where he remained many years. Cyrus Bill, father of Chas. E. Bill, began business in 1833, on the opposite corner of Sands and Fulton, where he was

afterwards succeeded by Henry P. Morgan. Plant & Co.'s store in 1839, was at 136 Fulton. John Sinclair was located at the corner of Middagh and Fulton, and 1. Buckley, between Middagh and Henry. The first jobber in Brooklyn, T. M. Hall, had a store between Sands and Prospect streets, afterwards at Orange street, where he carried the largest stock of goods in the vil- lage. Among his elerks were two young men, Messrs. Journeay and Burnham. Abram Sutton's store was opposite Henry street, where he was sueeceded by Young & Underhill. Wm. Hinman started in business near Sands street in 1840. Opposite Cranberry street were Bennett & Payne, and Merwin & Carpenter. They were succeeded by Stewart, who afterwards went into carpets, now Hardenbergh's establishment.

All of these firms have passed away with the changes of time. The oldest dry goods house now existing, is that of A. D. Matthews, which was started in 1836, at 83 Main street, afterwards removed to lower Fulton, and in 1873 to their present location, at No. 398 Fulton. The firm, now A. D. Matthews & Son, employs about ninety persons, and its annual sales amount to $200,000 and upwards. Soon after Elijah Lewis, Jr., went into business on the corner of Main and Sands streets, re- moving afterwards to 273 Fulton. Within a short time after, T. A. Newman opened a store on Fulton, which is now T. A. ( L. F. Newman, at 305 Fulton. In 1844, Journeay & Burnham who had been clerks with Hall, opened a store on Atlantie avenne, and in 1851, removed to their present location at No. 126. They began in a small way, with one salesman and one boy, but now have over two hundred employees. Their trade has always been confined to dry goods alone.

Osborn Horton commenced trade about the same time as E. Lewis, Sr., and was afterwards succeeded by his son, T. K. Horton, on Fulton street, below Orange. Burned out in the great fire, he removed to the block above. He built one of the four-story brown-stone front stores, between Johnson and Tillary, and, a number of years later, removed to Fulton street, above Smith.

1363

GENERAL TRADE AND MERCHANDISE.

WECHSLER & ABRAHAM'S NEW STORES.

In these days of intense rivalry and sharp competition, a successful merchant must be made of good stuff. This ap- plies with particular force to a firm carrying on its business in a large and prosperous city, where rivals are those with the acutest brains and largest experienee.

Messrs. WECHSLER & ABRAHAM, Nos. 297-299 Fulton street, Brooklyn, N. Y., are the leading and most successful dry goods merchants in our eity. They began their business here in 1865, in their present location, leasing additional room from time to time, until they now occupy from Fulton, through to Washington street, covering an area of 30,000 square feet. Their new building, Nos. 422 to 432 Fulton street, into which they will soon remove, will have 145,000 sqnare feet of flooring, over three acres, and with one exception, will be the largest retail exclusively dry goods establishment in the U. S. It will be fitted in the most artistie manner which modern skill and taste can suggest. It will have two passen- ger elevators, and the grand dome will be superior to any- thing of its kind in the country. The dimensions of this dry goods palace are as follows: main building, 122x200 feet, and a wing running to Gallatin Place; six floors, each 25x100 feet; four 80-horse power engines, placed in a detached engine- house, will supply the motive power for the elevators, elec- tric lights, machinery, sewing machines, etc. They will give active employment to 1,500 people.

Messrs. Wechsler & Abraham have great faith in the future of Brooklyn, and in this confidence are ever ready to invest eapital in improvements, and additional departments to their already immense stock. Their patrons are from the best of our county, and it is one of the sights of the city-an inspection of their bewildering assortment of a fine and well-selected stock.

Mr. Wechsler is of German descent, and came to America in 1850, and, previous to starting in his present location was a merchant on Myrtle avenue.

Mr. Abraham is a native of New York; after receiving a good business education, he entered a mercantile house in New York city. On reaching his majority he started in Brook- lyn, and although his first venture was made with gold

quoted at 208, and the market declining, it proved suc- cessful.

Messrs. Wechsler & Abraham are justly ranked among the few successful merchants of the country. Honorable and fair in all their dealings with the public, their past is a guarantee of increased prosperity in the future.

C. M. WEST, 251 Fulton street .- In 1856, G. P. Dickinson entered the dry goods trade at 351 Fulton, opposite Pierrepont street. In a year he associated C. M. West, under the name of Dickinson & West, which business relation Insted twenty- one years. Mr. West succeeded to the business, and removed to 251 Fulton. The house has a trade in dry goods strictly, and now has a stock of about $90,000, employing 25 men.

FREDERICK LOESER & CO .- This house was founded in 1860, by Mr. Loeser and Mr. Moritz Dinkelspiel, who began business in a small way, at No. 277 Fulton street, opening there a stock of worsteds, embroideries and trimmings. In 1863, Mr. J. W. Jones entered the firm, and a branch store was opened at No. 737 Broadway, New York. Three years after, Mr. Loeser sold his interest in the latter, and purchased the shares of his partners in Brooklyn, then introducing a general line of dry* goods. In 1870, the store was removed to its present location, and Mr. Louis Liebmann was admitted to partnership; the firm was further increased by the addition of Messrs. Her- mann Liebmann and Gustav Loeser in 1872 and 1875 respec- tively. The house now ranks among the foremost in the city ; its business has grown to vast proportions in response to the constant efforts of the firm to meet the wants of the public. A very heavy stock of goods is carried, while the annual sales exceed a million dollars, giving employment to 700 per- sons. Mr. Loeser's portrait and biography will be found on page 1104.

J. O'BRIEN .- In 1863, J. O'Brien. W. A. Papen, and Julius Meyer, established themselves in the dry goods business at 151 Atlantic avenue, under the firm name of J. O Brien & Co. In 1879, the junior partners retired, and J. O'Brien suc- ceeded. He now occupies five continuous stores which are filled with an extensive line of goods, including everything that people wear, besides carpets and upholstering goods. Mr. O'Brien has $300,000 capital employed, and his yearly sales foot up to nearly three-quarters of a million, while his employees number 150.

JAMES THORBURN .- Mr. Thorburn commenced in St. Louis in 1863, in the dry goods trade. Ten years later he removed to Brooklyn, and became one of the firm of Porter & Thor- burn, on Fulton street. In 1880, he established himself alone at 419 Fulton street. His stock contains ouly dry goods, with silks and dress goods a specialty. Thirty men are em- ployed, and the annual sales reach $225,000.

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Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 180

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : Munsell Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360