USA > New York > Bronx County > History of Bronx borough, city of New York : compiled for the North side news > Part 15
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Andrew Corsa was born in 1762, at Rose Hill, within the limits of St. John's College, afterwards removing to a farm almost directly opposite, where in 1852 he died. Hle performed inestimable services for the patriot cause, and. the youngest of all the Westchester Guides, was the last to die. "Minutely acquainted with the passes around Kingsbridge, Fordham and Morrisania, his services were anxiously sought." One incident in his exciting career may be related: When the allies were passing over the high ground near Mor- risania, and came in sight of the enemy, the fire which the British artillery opened upon them from Randall's Island and Snake Ilill ( Harlem), from the batteries at Harlem and from the warships in the river, was most terrible and incessant. Urging his horse forward at full speed, he rode for safety be- hind the old Morrisania Mill. Looking back, he saw Washing ton, Rochambean and the other officers riding calmly along under fire as if nothing unusual was occurring Ashamed at having given way to an impulse of fear, he at once galloped back. resuming his place in the order of march. The commanding officers, with peals of laughter, were very cordial in welcoming him back and commending his courage.
Harlem River, looking West from Second Avenue Bridge
Harlem River, looking North from Madison Avenue Bridge
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Looking South from Junction of $48th Street, Third and Willin Avenues
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Looking South from Junction of Third and Alexander Avenues and 143d Street
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CHAPTER XXXIII
PLACES OF MORE RECENT INTEREST
Old Mansions and Families in Bronx Borough-The Stenton Willow-Annexation in 1874-Annexation in 1895- The Concourse-White Plains Road Widening-Westchester Avenue Widening-The Bronx as a Separate County-The Port Chester Railroad-The Subway, Existing and Planned -- Coming Improvements of the Harlem Railroad-A Wonderful Prophecy Fulfilled
A well known family moved into the Bronx on the day the first shot was fired at Fort Sumpter, at the beginning of the Civil War. They are still living in the same homestead, although many other families can lay claim to a longer stay here. Great was the difficulty they experienced in getting to and from the city, especially during the time of the famous "Draft Riots." Even in peaceful times the light of a flickering lantern was necessary whenever they left home after dark. Twice has the avenue been graded in front of their house, and there is yet quite a perceptible grade, on which horses slip and slide in icy times.
While speaking of grading avenues, I recall a splendid stone castle in the district generally known as East Morrisania, which, when I last visited it, was reached by a steep, winding roadway. The latest news that I have heard from this place is that it is
Fox Mansion
left forty feet in the air by the cutting down of a neighboring avenue. But all clouds, they say, have their silver lining. Dur - ing the late coal strike, their bin was completely empty, their steam furnace stone cold, yet every radiator was well heated and the house as warm as anyone could wish. How was this mira- dle wrought? you will ask. Simply by making an arrangement with the contractor in charge of grading the avenue, who con- nected the steam pipes of the house, apparently useless, with his large stationery boiler, and in less time than it takes to tell the idle the house was as warm as toast!
In looking over some papers, I came upon a map published : thon and another dated 1868, showing that wealthy residents had established many country homes in our borough. From these 1 have gathered a few memoranda of the handsome country
seats, together with the names of the residents: "Ranaque," B. G. Arnold, on the end of Oak, formerly Arnold's Point; "Cosey Nook," W. M. Allen; "Castello de Casanova," Yglesias Casa- nova ; "Blythe," Francis J. Barretto; "Elmwood," P. N. Spofford ; "Springhurst," G. S. Fox; "Greenbank," C. D. Dickey; "Sunny Slope," (one of the most beautiful and substantially built man- sions in the Bronx), P. A. Hoe; "Woodside," E. G. Falle; "Ambleside," J. B. Simpson and W. Simpson; "Brightside," Colonel R. M. Hoe, inventor of the "Rotary Printing Press," (also known as the "Lightning Press;" he was the brother of the former resident of "Sunny Slope;") "Foxhurst," formerly the residence of Mr. H. D. Tiffany, and "Rocklands," T. A. Vyse, formerly the home of Thomas Richardson. All these from "Blythe" forward stood on or near the old Hunt's Point Road, and are at the time of this chronicle, still in existence.
Going back to the days when Mr. B. M. Whitlock dispensed frec-handed hospitality at Casanova, some one has said that "among the guests he noted the head of Jordan L. Mott's Foun- dry (after whom Mott Haven was named), Mr. Janes and Mr. Kirtland, Mr. Jason Rogers, the locomotive builder, Samuel M. Purdy, Esq., the 'Nestor of the Westchester Bar,' Mr. Lewis G Morris, Mr. William Watson, of Wilmont, a prominent linen merchant, and also representatives of the Secor, Lorillard and Pell families." The host, it is stated, seemed to place no value on money on these occasions. During the early struggles of Cuba against the galling yoke of Spain, Senor Casanova, not un- mindful of his native land, used to store, so the story goes, in the subterranean passages beneath his stone castle, hidden muni- tions of war, waiting favorable opportunity for shipment, to ald the struggling Cubans, several expeditions being secretly fitted out in the cove near the Castle. Indeed, several ships were said to have stolen in and out of the little natural harbor in front of the Castle, and freighted with war supplies, weighed anchor for the shores of Cuba. Here, we learn, the "Virginius" took aboard her cargo just before her capture by the Spaniards.
At the outbreak of the last Cuban insurrection the house was again filled with revolutionists. When war was declared be- tween the United States and Spain, the grand old castle was closed for the last time, and Senor Casanova left the United States forever, dying soon afterwards. Within a short time the house was sold to a real estate company, and its early glory has departed forever.
Following up the old Leggett's Lane, we come to the ruir; of Philip Dater's immense stone mansion on the left, modelled after the plan of Foxhurst, with the exception that it had a gable roof and Foxhurst a square roof. On the right once
163d Street, East of Third Avenue. To left, Schnorer Club; to right, Eagle Avenue School
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St. Ann's Avenue, Opposite St. Mary's Park
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
opened the gates of Mr. S. B. White's residence, whose artisti- cally laid out grounds were known as Longwood Park.
Towards West Farms we note three old mansions on the right hand side of Boston Road, just beyond the Southern Boule- vard. The first two are known as the Walker houses, while the last, the present residence of Mr. Bolton, bears the name of "Minford Place," after former owner, Thomas Minford.
A very old house stands near the northeasterly corner of Rodman Place and Longfellow Street, just south of the old fire-engine house, while on Main Street, about opposite Rodman Place another ancient structure still stands, built directly on the road. In earlier years it was noticed that the panes of glass in the windows were of the old-fashioned, handmade style, with
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Macomb Mansion
a curious bulb in the middle, where the glass maker severed his "string" of glass used in its manufacture. Across the Bronx, not far from West Farnis Station, is another solid stone edifice, the Wilson Mansion, almost identically resembling that which stands a little north and further back from the road than the old house with the queer panes of glass, but its name does not ap- pear on any map I have seen.
Passing to the Washington Bridge section, "Rocky Cliff," the home of Mrs. Marcher, is given on the maps, while east of Macomb's Road, just above Featherbed Lane, is sho.vn "Rose Hill," the residence of J. D. Poole. Opposite the western end of Featherbed Lane, its extensive grounds descending to the stately Washington Bridge, is the beautiful "Villa Boscobel," the magnificent mansion of the late Mr. Wm. B. Ogden. Quite a distance to the north, and west of old Macomb's Road, with the new Aqueduct Avenue crossing the lawn, and south of the nar- row lane leading down to what was known as Morris Dock, stands "Mount Fordham," with its graceful arches in front, the former home of Lewis G. Morris. Close by is "Fairlawn," the title well describing the place, where Hugh N. Camp lived for many years. The fine stone residence overlooking the old Berk- ley Oval, was "Elmbrook," occupied by Mrs. Dashwood, accord- ing to the maps. To the north, on the New York University grounds, is the former residence of H. W. T. Mali, while south of old Fordham Road, near the little graveyard is shown "Rose- land," once the home of Mr. O. Camman.
On the north side of Fordham Road, west of the old-fashioned residence of the late Moses Devoe, a winding drive leads into the grounds of the stately Webb Academy. North of this tall building is a much smaller one, also on the Academy grounds, the old residence, if we may credit the map, of Leonard W. Jerome. after whom Jerome Park was named. Following Sedgwick Ave- nue still further up. we note the fine Claflin mansions on the east side, now closed and locked up. Following a shady drive- way that leads north from Kingsbridge Road, we come to "Ridge- lawn," formerly occupied by the Rev. R. W. Dickenson. Just above the Poe Cottage, within a few feet of the handsome white house of the late Judge Tappan, the road leads to Williamsbridge,
much carved into city streets in its upper region, but known in the section north of Judge Tappan's by the appropriate title or "Lovers' Lane," owing to the thickness of the foliage on either side. I may mention here to those interested, that I know c: three of these lanes, and I think I have told the story of two of them, but the third I utterly refuse to divulge.
A very old, shingled house stands on the corner of Kings bridge Road and Marion Avenue, whose once extensive estate has been greatly cut into by modern houses.
On the easterly side of Washington Avenue, between Kings- bridge Road (Third Avenue) and Pelham Avenue, in front of the old Stenton Mansion, are the remains of a venerable willow tree, over 300 years old. North of Fordham Station, on the present Webster Avenue, with its side to the street, is to be seen an exceedingly old house, according to the maps, the old Jacob Berrian residence. Passing to Mount St. Vincent, we find, jus: north of Riverdale, the beautiful castle lately occupied by Edwin Forrest, styled "Font Hill" and now owned by the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. The old castle, built of stone. presents a striking example of the "English castellated" style. It has six towers, the highest called the "Flag Tower," the whole commanding magnificent views of the Hudson River.
Four other early country seats may be mentioned: "Grey- stone," the fine residence of W. E. Dodge, and "Oaklawn," the home of W. W. Thompson. Making a long leap to East- chester, the handsome home of the late G. Faile is still on the old maps, while the Colonial-like mansion on the City Island Road, styled "Hawkswood .. " bears the name of L. R. Mar- shall. These last two have already been described in their proper places.
On the few preceding pages I have endeavored to pick out some of the old-time mansions, showing that our borough was a favorite location for this class of homes. That these are only a drop in the bucket may well be urged, but they have been selected as types of that period before Bronx Borough "was spoiled by the locomotive, the summer cottage and, worse than all. the land speculator."
Washington Avenue and 173d Street, Before Widening
Statistics are generally regarded as a bore, and very seldom read. but it may prove interesting to know the centres of Bronx population that were annexed to the City of New York in 18;s. as furnished by the Hon. Louis F. Haffen :
Mott Haven, West Morrisania. Belmont, North New York. Highbridgeville. Adamsville, Wilton, Claremont, Prospect Hiv. Port Morris, Inwood, Fordham. Springhurst. Morris Height- Wardsville, East Morrisana, Fordham Heights, Monterey, Ben- sonia, Mount Eden, Union Hill, Carr Hill, Mount Hope, Ceder Fill, Woodstock, West Tremont, Bedford Park, Grove Hil. Central Morrisania, Mount Pleasant, Forest Grove, South Ford
Webster and Brook Avenues, north of Melrose Viaduct
Junction of Third Avenue and Boston Road
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
ham, Williamsbridge, Eltona, Upper Morrisania, Woodlawn, East Morrisania, Tremont, Kingsbridge, Melrose South, Fairmount, Spuyten Duyvil, Melrose, East Tremont, Riverdale, North Mel- rose, West Farms, Mosholu, Morrisania, South Belmont and Mount St. Vincent.
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This territory, long known as the "Annexed District," was bounded by the Harlem River and Spuyten Duyvil Creek and the Hudson on the west, by the Yonkers line on the north, the Bronx River on the east, and the Harlem Kills on the south. The story is told that about the year 1869, a bill was prepared to annex the towns of West Farms, Morrisania, Westchester and Mount Vernon to New York, when some one jumped to his feet
land, Seton Homestead, Bronxdale, Jacksonville, South Mt. Ver non, Bronxwood Park, Jerome, South Washingtonville, Cherry Tree Point, Laconia, Stinardtown, City Island, Locust Point, Throgg's Neck, Clason's Point, Ludlow Island, Cornell's Neck. Middletown, Unionport, Morrell Park, Van Nest. EJenwald Morris Park, Wakefield, Ferry Point, Olinville, Washingtonville. Givan Homestead, Fort Schuyler, Park Versailles, Westchester. Pelham Neck, Goose Island, Pennyfield, Williamsbridge, Hart's Island, Rodman's Neck, and Wright's Island.
One of the most important public improvements now under construction is the "Grand Boulevard and Concourse," a superb driveway to be nearly 200 feet wide. The following briet de-
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Map of " Bronckxneck " Showing Patents of Lewis Morris, Sr., and Jesup and Richardson
in the Senate and gave notice that he would present a bill "to annex the City of New York to the town of Morrisania."
For many years the Park Department had control of the streets of the newly Annexed District, which was known as the 23d and 24th Wards, the line of division running just north of old Eighth or 170th Street. With the creating of a new depart- ment, that of Street Improvements, going into effect January 1, 1891, many marked changes for the better were seen on all sides.
About the year 1883 a large acreage of parks was added to the city, which has already been described. In 1895 a large number of towns and villages was annexed to the city, the list (also furnished by President Louis F. Haffen) being as follows : Bartow, High Island, Schuylerville, Baychester, Hunter's Is
scription may be given. It commences at 161st Street and Walton Avenue, near the Ileine Fountain, thence running north- erly, embracing Mott Avenue to 165th Street. llere it curves : ) the right to 177th Street and Morris Avenue. From this point its course is northerly to Ryer Avenue and ISed Street, thence northerly and embracing Ryer Avenue to Fordham Road. From this point it runs northerly, embracing Anthony Avenue to what was known as Potter Place, and finally its course is again north erly to Mosholu Parkway, which it reaches just east of Jer an: Avenue.
Such, in brief, is a description of the splendid driveway that is to extend northward through this borough of ours, and whose construction is well under way. There are many excava.
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Third Avenue Hevated Road, opposite the Home for Incurables, at 180th Street
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Third and Tremont Avenues. Borough Hall to the Right
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
tions to be made along the line, as well as high stone walls to be built. When completed it is stated that it will be the most magnificent thoroughfare in the world. Sometimes on the surface, sometimes elevated, this wonderful driveway will prove a boon to everyone in the Bronx. At its beginning (at 16Ist Street), it is planned to build a viaduct over to the Central . Bridge, in order to render it more accessible from the south.
Another improvement of gigantic proportions is the widen ing and straightening of White Plains Road. In former day- there was scarcely room for one trolley track, with a sufficient space on each side for vehicles. With this great undertaking completed, we have seen two tracks in the centre and plenty of room on each side. In other words we have witnessed "the transformation of the old White Plains Road into a metropolitan avenue."
Then turn for a moment to the "Southern Westchester Turnpike" from the Bronx River to Westchester. What a hope- less confusion it was at the time of my last visit! The single trolley track started bravely from Westchester. passed S't Peter's Cemetery which had several feet taken from its frontage. and finally reached Clason's Point Road, where it gave up the
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Poe Cherry Tree
task, leaving the hapless passengers to walk about a mile acro .. the Bronx to Home Street, where the Westchester Avenue car- met them once more. It has taken a long time to build the two bridges near this point, one across the Bronx and the other over the railroad tracks, but at present writing both are com- pleted.
"Nothing succeeds like success, and success in this instance will be a great stride forward, bringing in its wake substantial developments which now lie dormant." Had the writer of these lines that portion of the Bronx in view which is still untouched by the fast advancing methods of rapid transit ? Whether the new lines be elevated or depressed, they will cer- tainly prove a wonderful advantage to the outlying districts of our borough, and may perhaps be a help to those who, as Felix Oldboy tells us, have lived all their lives in this city and yet have never seen the City Hall.
An idea that has claimed much attention is the formation of Bronx Borough into a separate county, the great advantages to be obtained from having a full quota of county officers right in our midst being apparent to every one who stops to consider.
We are looking forward to the advent of the Portchester Railway, "the greatest boon the Bronx has ever known," which
is planned to start at 132d Street and extend to the Connecticut line at Portchester, passing through the easterly portion of our borough. The demonstrations that have been shown, the special trip to Albany to further it interests, are all fresh in the minds
Exempt Firemen on Parade
of Bronx citizens. Attention must also be called to the West- chester and Boston Railroad, the work of which is well under progress.
A section of the elevated part of the "Subway." connecting with the old Suburban road at 149th Street and Third Avenue, i- at present writing in use and is much patronized by resident- through whose district it passes. With the tunnel under the Harlem River at 149th Strect in active service, there is had through connection with the "Subway" on Manhattan, and cars are run directly through to the City Hall and below. Even now there is a call for a new "Subway" on Jerome Ave- nue, and when the Harlem road is electrified, and there are four tracks from Woodlawn to White Plains, and when the Grand Central Station improvements are completed, we may confidently expect a through service from White Plains to the
Winter Scene in Crotona Park
lower end of Manhattan, with possibly a change of cars at Forty-second Street. This would greatly relieve the crowded condition of the Third Avenue hne and be of the greatest ad vantage to those living out of reach of the new "Subway."
One who wrote the history of Morrisania Village in 18;1 makes a truly remarkable prophecy, which he believed would come true fifty years from that time. Strange to relate, many of
SCENES DURING CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUBWAY IN THE BRONX, AT 149th STREET
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
his predictions are already things of the past. An extract fol- wlows :
"He who undertakes to write a history half a century hence will have a task to perform quite different from the present sketch (The History of Morrisania Village in 1871). He will tell his readers that the erection of the first house in Morrisania was not the commencement of a single village only, but the be- ginning of a series of densely populated sections which may be seen in the towns of West Farms, Westchester, Eastchester, &c. Hle will speak of the numerous facilities, cheap and quick, for reaching the lower end of the city; of numerous viaduct railways starting from a point above the Harlem River and running to and converging at the Battery; of the Harlem River lined with docks.
"He will speak of the lower end of Westchester County as the homes of the toiling thousands who earn their bread in that part of the city Iving below the Harlem River; of the spacious grounds and stately mansions of the wealthy who have made thi. portion of the county their dwelling places; of magnificent drives, boulevards and parks such as the world has never seen : of a population within fifteen miles north of the Harlem River as large as that then in the city south of it; of our town as one of the densely populated wards of the city ; of the Harlem River as being what the Thames is to London, the dividing water line between two portions of a great city connected by numerous bridges, and of Morrisania as forming the center of this division. Call this a dream if you will, but he who shall write a faithful history of our town fifty years hence will record it as an ac- complished fact !" -
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Specimen of American Bison at the Zoo in Bronx Park
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New York Central Railroad Tracks ard Station at 177th Street (Tremont Avenue)
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Vicinity of Bathgate Avenue. North of 177th Street, showing the New Church of St. Joseph Nearing Completion
CHAPTER XXXIV
ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTURE IN THE BRONX
The Oldest and the Newest Houses of Divine Worship Shown-Commendable Progress in Developing Religious Interests in the Borough
In another chapter of this volume the early days of the church, with its varying vicissitudes, are narrated. The destroy- ing hand of Time has been lenient in its dealings with the houses of worship, which were erected during the days when General Washington and Lord Howe were wrestling for the supremacy and this portion of the colony was the scene of s, rife between the advancing and retreating hosts of both armies.
From trustworthy records among the olden archives, the sanctity of the church buildings was a matter of little conse- quence to the invading Hessians and old St. Paul's at East- chester was alternately the scene of bacchanalian revelry on the part of the invading army or its walls resounded with the groans and lamentations of the wounded.
The first edifice erected in 1675, was a frame structure which stood about where the present horse sheds stand. It was burned to the ground in 1690, and the present edifice erected in 1693, and again burned during the Revolution. Through the thoughtfulness of some of the devout worshippers of the old church, the Bible, the prayer book, and the bell had been secreted in one of the buildings of the Vincent homestead, now the Halsey home, a short distance to the south of the church, and the venerable rector of the church, Rev. Wm. S. Coffey, at the present writing points with pardonable pride to these price- less treasures which still perform their allotted task after the trials of the early colonial days.
Contemporaneous with St. Paul's was St. Peter's at West- chester, which also went through the fiery ordeal not unscathed. The present structure, however, does not bear much resemblance to the original structure that witnessed the gathering of the faitliful in the days when nicans of communication were very circumscribed.
St. Ann's P. E. Church, located in tlie extreme lower end of the borough, within sight of the Gouverneur Morris Mansion, completed the total of houses of worship in what is now Bronx Borough, excepting one small dwelling which was occupied by the followers of William Penn and which was situated in the eastern portion of the boroughi.
That the ecclesiastical growth of the Bronx has been in keeping with the growth in population is apparent to the most casual observer. Whereas at the opening of civilization in this section the number of edifices could be easily eounted upon the fingers of one hand, and scattered over a territory that was practically isolated, to-day on every hand the spires of churches of every denomination rear themselves skyward, bearing out the assertion that this borough is fast becoming a rival of her sister borough-Brooklyn-as the city of churches.
The followers of John Wesley may well feel proud of the
progress they have made in the erection of houses of worship in this section. The Willis Avenue M. E. Church, situated at Willis Avenue and I4Ist Street, the Mot+ Avenne M. F. Church. Mott Avenue and 150th Street, and Olin M. E. Church, cn White Plains Avenue, near 218th Street, are very striking exam- ples of church architecture and are a credit to the enterprise of this borough.
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