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RIVER PARK - ST. VINCENT'S POINT
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ACADEMY MT. ST. VINCENT
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
10,000 volumes, specially adapted to the needs of the students. Connected with it is a large and attractive reading room, sup- plied with all conveniences for consultation and private work.
COLLEGE SOCIETIES.
The Sodalities-These organizations, the object of which is to inculcate a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin, are justly held to be important and, as the experience of the past has abundantly proved, very effective adjuncts in developing the moral character of the students. Each hall, therefore, has its own sodality. Membership is not of obligation; on the contrary, it is strictly limited to those who by their general moral de- portment give evidence that they will be a credit to the sodality. The Parthenian Sodality of Senior Hall was established in 1837.
Senior Debating Society-This society was organized in 1854. Its object is to accustom its meinbers, by means of debates and literary compositions, to speak with ease and fluency on useful, interesting and timely subjects. Membership is limited to the senior, junior and sophomore classes. The society meets once a week. In April a formal public debate is held, to which friends and relatives are invited. Of the past members those who have attained eminence are, amongst others, the present Arch- bishop, the President of the Bronx, the Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, the Commissioner of Street Openings, a leading member of the Faculty of City College, prominent representatives of the bench and the bar and many well known in medical, educational and political circles.
Junior Debating Society, composed of the members of the freshman classes, is designed as a preparation for the Senior Debating Society. Meetings are held every fortnight.
St. John's Dramatic Association, closely connected with the debating societies, is the dramatic association. Its aim is to acustom its members, by means of dramatic reading and repre- sentations, to appear in public with ease and grace. The new auditorium will afford greater facilities for the attainment of this desirable end.
The "Fordham Monthly"-This magazine is conducted by a board of student editors. Its purpose is to foster literary effort, to chronicle the news of the university and to keep the alumni in touch with the projects and successes of their alma mater.
Fordham College Athletic Association-This association was organized to encourage and promote athletic sports. It is a member of the Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America.
NEEDS OF THE UNIVERSITY.
Without endowment, and with scant benefactions to assist it in its noble work, scarcely $30,000 has been donated within the past twenty-five years. Fordham College, thanks to the resolute labors of its directors, has grown to a university. The many improvements necessitated by the increase of students have con- Chief among the wants of the college are the following: A medical school, which would consist mainly of lecture rooms, dissecting room, library, museum, laboratories, etc. ACADEMY MOUNT ST. VINCENT .- Bronx Bor- ough has perhaps no more delightful spot than the hillside on the Hudson, crowned by the stately towers of a far-famed con- vent school, the Academy Mount St. Vincent. The surround- ings well befit a home sacred to the Muses; for, in a ramble through the spacious grounds, one sees in pleasing succession woodland, lake, isle and embowered grotto, orchards, meadows, gardens, farm lands, pine-grove, ravine and brooklet, lawns, courts, terraces; and, scattered tastefully here and there, shrines, rustic arbors, fountains and statuary. "We are now treading the Via Angelorum," writes a pilgrim to the Mount, "and al- ready the massive academy buildings have come into sight. A sudden turn in this road of many windings, and presto! fairy- land-enchanted castle and all bursts upon our view. We rub our eyes; even we who have known and loved, since childhood's days, these dear old haunts and scenes. A first view can never do justice to the details that here invite the eye, details that vary endlessly with changing lights and hours and seasons. * * * The autumn sky stretches above us, a dome of palpitating blue with masses of silver cloud-palaces rising above the summits of the distant mountains. The Palisades are tapestried in crim- son, gold and purple, while down the beautiful Hudson moves a stately river steamer." ( Vide, "A Famous Convent School," by Marion J. Brunowe, New York. The Meany Co. ) Hudson River trains from the Grand Central reach, in less than half an hour, the Mount St. Vincent station on the academy grounds. "Fonthill Castle, a romantic looking pile of half Norman. half Gothic architecture, intercepts the view on the left. Set like a gem in the midst of these scenes, it lends an old-world charm to the surrounding landscape. ( En passant-This Castle contains a fine museum, its chief treasure being one of the choicest and richest mineral collections in the State.) On our right the stately academy, now wholly in view, stands in poten- tial grandeur, gazing serenely down from its inany windows upon the spacious campus; the curved terraces aglow with sal- vias, asters and hydrangeas; and last, but not least, upon its greatest pride and joy, a bevy of young girls, who have just come forth to recreate in the favorite tennis-court. Snatches of gay chatter and peals of melodious laughter attest the happi- ness mirrored in the bright faces, making one long to join in their pleasant sports. Another party is starting in a wagonette for a drive, the objective point of which is the Bronx Horti- cultural Gardens. * * * Places of historic interest abound in the vicinity of Mount St. Vincent and furnish the reason for many a charming little pleasure and educational trip. The Phillipse and Van Cortland Manors, Sunnyside and Sleepy Hol- low are within driving distance, besides much of the lovely coun- try on the Hudson so enchantingly portrayed in the pages of Irving; Tappan Zee with its memories of Andre ; in fact, all Westchester County so rich in Revolutionary scenes and mem- ories." But now a word as to the origin of the school. Its founders were the Sisters of Charity, the daughters of Mother Elizabeth Bayley Seton. The work was planned under the au- spices of the most Reverend John Hughes, first Archbishop of New York, one who was not only an illustrious prelate, but a great patriot, and who, although a foreigner by birth, yet ranks among the makers of America. (Vide "Most Reverend John Hughes," by Rev. Henry A. Brann, D.D., in the series. "Makers of America," N. Y., Dodd, Mead & Co .; also Hassard's Life of Archbishop Hughes, N. Y., Appleton & Co.) Mother Seton is an interesting figure in the history of pedagogy, for her aims and methods prove her to have been an early worker in the field of Higher education for young women. More than a century agya the banks of the river that sparkles below the academy terrace in the fair City of New York, grew up the young girl, the noble woman whose influence made this beautiful home of education a 130 HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH possibility. Generous hearted, high-minded, wonderfully gifted, the daughter of an aristocratic family, Elizabeth Seton through sorrow, trial and perplexity was led into the Catholic Church From childhood she had felt a strong attraction to the work of charity, but with the light of faith there came into her heart a new yearning, an irresistible desire to devote herself to the work of Christian education; and what she accomplished for this in the space of a few short years, in spite of almost insurmountable obstacles, seems little short of the miraculous. With a few chosen spirits, who like herself, desired to consecrate themselves to the work of education, she opened at Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1810, the first Catholic boarding school for girls in the United States. In 1817 she sent a little band of her spiritual daughters to the City of New York, there to work in behalf of charity and education. In that year the sisters opened an or- phanage in Prince Street. [This institution is still in existence, encamped across the island from the East River to the Hudson, about a mile and a half below." [ Vide "Elizabeth Seton," by Agnes Sadlier, N. Y., D. & J. Sadlier. I In this house, amid these surroundings the work went on for some twelve years, but the metropolis in "seven league boots" was striding north- ward, and the municipal authorities desiring to purchase the con- vent property, the Sisters had to seek a home elsewhere. The "Old Mount" was soon to become tradition. "The Mother Superior who governed the community at the time, and her advisory board, bought for the new Mount St. Vincent the estate of the late Edwin Forrest, the noted tragedian, situated about ten miles to the northward, in Westchester County, on the shore of the Hudson. The actor had named the place "Font Hill," after the vast domain and famous palace of the author of "Vat- hek;" and had built on it a Norman castle which was but just completed when difficulties arose between himself and his wife, FONTHILL CASTLE ACADEMY MOUNT ST VINCENT and in its present quarters on Fordham Heights shelters some 800 children.] Parochial schools and academies sprang up as the demand required, and finally in 1847 came the foundation of the Convent School of Mount St. Vincent. An estate was pur- chased which was then five miles from the heart of the city. It included a dwelling on an eminence at 109th Street and Fifth Avenue, a spot known as McGowan's Pass and now an interest- ing section of Central Park. "Hard by are still to be seen," remarks a recent writer, "the remains of a fortification which was constructed during the Revolutionary War, and which was serving as the advanced post of the American Army when it evacuated New York City and fell back to Kingsbridge, after the disastrous battle of Long Island. Old General Israel Putnam commanded the post at McGowan's Pass, and in the building afterwards purchased by the Sisters, General Washington, no doubt, often conferred with him, and from the high grounds about it, surveyed through his glass, the British troops that lay which resulted in their separation. The castle still remains, a thing of beauty. especially in summer, when its gray stone walls and battlements are thrown into strong relief by the mass of green foliage about it, affording a picturesque home for the Reverend Chaplain, and accommodation for the ecclesiastical visitors who tarry over night at the "Mount" as the Sisters' home is familiarly called. On a sort of natural terrace, above and to the north of this castle, a great building of red brick, three hun- dred feet in length and sixty feet in depth, was erected for the housing of both community and academy; and in 1859 (fifty years after Mother Seton began her foundation at Emmitsburg) the New York Sisters removed thither. The school grew so rapidly that in 1865 a large wing, projecting eastward one hun- dred feet beyond the main building, was added on the south. In 1884 a corresponding wing was added on the north to give room [ Vide, "Elizabeth Seton," Agnes Sadlier] for the overflowing novitiate, and the training school, where the young daughters - --- 1 - HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH 131 of St. Vincent, at this writing, one hundred in number, are being carefully prepared for what Archbishop Carroll prophesied would be their chief work in this country-the imparting of a Christian education to the young. The entire building, now four hundred and sixty-seven feet in length, is of the Byzantine style of arch :- tecture, and is surmounted by a central tower one hundred and ter from the Legislature. The end aimed at in the training of the student is that of all true education, a triple one, the develop- ment of body, mind and heart, above all the formation of char- acter. The young girls' teachers, the guides of her daily life. endeavor to persuade her that to be noble, true and good, is better than to have all possible material possessions. In fine, the effort eighty feet in height. from which thrice a day for half a century . is made to combine wisely for her benefit, modern educational a sweet-toned bell has sent far and near through the stillness the sound of the Angelus, Midway between these wings and parallel with them. the exquisite beautiful Romanesque chapel projects one hundred and thirty-five feet from the main building." methods with those traditional principles that are a precious heritage of the ages. To this end, when it becomes necessary, the pupil is reminded that her enthusiasm for study must not lead her to neglect the social graces, that self reliance, although a most desirable quality, should not be permitted to degenerate into an exaggerated individualism, that a so-called career is sometimes purchased at too dear a price; namely, the sacrifice of those beautiful qualities that shed a lustre on the lives of so many .daughters, wives and mothers of the olden time; and finally, that according to its mood, the world may smile at, en- courage or applaud the strenuous woman, but that it will ever continue to worship the gentillissima. A SHORT SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF THE URSU- LINES AND OF THEIR ACADEMY AT BEDFORD PARK. Early in the sixteenth century, Angela Merici, an Italian maiden, assisted by several zealous companions of high rank in the society of their day, established an institute for the edu- cation of female youth. Angela placed her order under the pro- tection of St. Ursula, the famed princess-saint of Britain ; hence the name of "Ursuline." which represents nearly four centuries of heroic labor in the field of Christian education. The first Ursuline Convent in America was that founded in 1639, at Quebec, by Mother Mary, of the Incarnation. Other Ursuline communities settled in various parts of the United States, the number at present exceeding forty, each counting several branches in its organization. The Ursulines now at Bedford Park came from St. Louis, Mo., in 1855. They purchased a tract of about nine acres at East Morrisania, and built there a convent and academy. In the course of time the location became unfavorable to their work and their present charming site at Bedford Park was secured. The imposing building known as Mount St. Ursula Academy was erected and the Sisters and their pupils took possession on April 23, 1892. The course of study at the academy includes eight years of elementary study, followed by four full academic years, with advantages for higher study at option. The old convent having been purchased by a Jewish syndicate, was remodeled and converted into what is now called the Lebanon Hospital. Chapel, Mount St. Vincent The equipment of the interior of the academy is little short of ideal. Atrium, parlors, corridors, airy sleeping apartments, well appointed baths, gymnasium, recreation, dining, music and lec- ture halls, class rooms, library, studio, chapel ; all are planned, not only with a view to health and comfort, but as an object lesson in the aesthetics of simplicity. Besides junior and gram- mar departments and those of art and music, there are well plmned academic courses in English, science and language, in accordance with the requirements of the Educational Board of New York State. At present the freshman course of college work is also given and more advanced classes are in contempla- The Sisters of Charity were incorporated as a teaching tak in 18jo, and later on Mount St. Vincent received its char- MANHATTAN COLLEGE, NEW YORK .- This famous institution of learning. conducted by the Christian Brothers, had a modest beginning back in the forties. Down in Canal Street. close to the Church of St. Vincent, it held its first session in September, 1849. Even in that remote period Canal Street was a busy thoroughfare; and, though differing in some respects from the Canal Street of to-day, there was a close resemblance in its long lines of laden vehicles and its hurrying throngs of business people. The noise, the traffic, the congested character of the locality were borne with for a time, but at last those who were entrusted with the welfare of the school were com- pelled to look out for a site better adapted to the scholastic wants of the new institution. The desirable site was found far away from the hustle and throbbing excitement of the great city en the breezy and woody heights of Manhattanville. Now, sur. Ursuline Academy, Bedford Park ------- ( 1 Manhattan College, New York 133 HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH rounded by oaks and elms and looking out unimpeded on the waters of the Hudson, the new school opened its portals in September, 1853, under the title of the Academy of the Holy Infancy. The first ten years were a period of pedagogical ac- tivity crowned by a steady and gratifying prosperity. The insti- tution had by this time a fine local habitation and a name honor- ably known in educational circles. Its growth was organic and it, development so rapid that in 1863 the Regents of the Uni- versity of the State of New York granted it a charter under the corporate title of Manhattan College in the City of New York. Among the warm supporters of its early collegiate years we find the names of L. Silliman Ives, Henry L. Hoguet, John E. Develin and Edward C. Donnelly. Whilst among those who were called to shape its destinies were such educators as Brother Patrick, Brother Paulian and Brother Tustin. The applied sciences received academical recognition in 1888, when a de- partment of civil engineering was opened in De Le Salle Insti- tute, Central Park South, with the eminent scholar and engineer, Brother C. Paulian as principal. To the usual degrees in arts were now added similar honors in civil engineering, and from that day to the present, Manhattan has been graduating able and successful engineers as she had always been graduating men distinguished in the other professions. The continual advance of the city to the north and west of the island robbed Manhat- tan at last of its leafy surroundings and academic seclusion. The grand old mansions of the Develins and Donnellys that stood as landmarks in Harlem have been razed and the very knolls in which they stood have been leveled in order to make room for the ubiquitous apartment houses; while the grinding and pounding, the rumble and clatter of the elevated part of the "Subway" hard by, grate on the ear all day long and even far . into the hours of the night. The spot which was an eligible and magnificent site in 1853 became unsuitable and wholly inade- quate fifty years later, in 1903. Accordingly, a new location was looked for and ultimately found at Van Cortlandt Park West. There it is proposed to erect the new Manhattan on an elevated plateau that commands a full sweep of the horizon, looking down on the lakes and golf links of the park on the one side and on the Hudson and the Palisades on the other. This move brings the college away from the Borough of Manhattan into the Bo :- ough of the Bronx. Plans for the buildings are in course of preparation (Sept., 1905) and it is confidently expected that work will be begin early next spring to be vigorously pushed on to completion. Besides recitation rooms, library and reading rooms for the arts department, there will be in addition to the equipments for civil engineering, laboratories for mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as complete steam and electric plants. Adequate provision will also be made for the many wants of the business department, so that with its advent to its new home in the Bronx, Manhattan College will begin a new chapter in its history, as well as a new era in the grand educa- tional work which it has been doing in the Empire City for the last half a century. + Home for Incurables, Third Avenue between 181et and 184th Streets - Home of the Friendless, Woodycrest Avenue Philanthropin Hospital, Briggs and Maple Avenues, Williamsbridge CHAPTER XXXVI MUNICIPAL, MEDICAL, CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIETIES IN THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX By Dr. Gustave H. E. Starke, Member New York County and State Medical Associations, American Medical Association, and the Medical Society of the Borough of the Bronx In 1890 the Borough of the Bronx contained about forty practicing physicians within its area to a population of 210,000. In 1905 the directory published by the New York State Medical Association contains the names and addresses of two hundred and seventeen by actual count, and adding those that have settled in the Bronx since its last publication, undoubtedly brings that number now close up to three hundred, to a popu- lation estimated by the Board of Health to July 1, 1905, of 294,939, which figures are, however, more apt to be below, than above, the actual number. At the date first above written there was not a single bed nor a hospital in the borough for accident of emergency cases, all such cases having to be sent to, or called for, from the Harlem Reception Hospital, located in East 120th Street. Now we have three hospitals for such cases, with 650 beds, and two more nearing completion, increasing the capacity to 1,100 beds when finished. In addition there are three hospi- tals for chronic invalids and one for contagious diseases, which have been established for some years, bringing the entire num- ler of beds for all cases up to 2,330 for the entire borough. Medical societies for the discussion of scientific subjects and friendly intercourse among physicians there were none pttor to 1893, excepting the Yonkers Medical Society, which held monthly meetings in the houses of the various members, giving one an opportunity to drive to Yonkers, through dark and muddy country roads, to return home in the "wee sma" hours of the morning. Now we have a representative Medical Society of over one hundred members, which holds meetings once a month and is within easy reach of everybody. The number of drug stores within the Bronx Borough in isto could be counted upon the fingers of both hands, now there I oute to about every four physicians. The Health Department previous to 1896, was represented by two physicians to investigate and report upon every case of contagious disease reported to the departinent within the bor- ough. For this purpose it was divided into two districts, the eastern extending from the Harlem River on the south to the city line at Woodlawn on the north, and east from Jerome . avenue to Long Island Sound. The last representative for this district before the Health Department staff was increased was Dr. Wm. J. O'Byrne, who also acted as special diagnostician for the territory, but including on the south down to 90th Street. On the west side extending west of Jerome Avenue to the ."y limite. Dr. Parsons, of Kingsbridge, performed similar :. we .. For their arduous labors these gentlemen were paid & ser cach per annum. To-day our Health Department for the Finns consists of one Assistant Sanitary Superintendent at a salary of $3,500 per annum, one Assistant Registrar of Vital Sta- uistics at $3,000 per annum, four Sanitary, seven Medical and two Food Inspectors, one Veterniarian, one Laboratory Assist- ant, six Disinfectors and seven School Inspectors, besides clerks and other help, making the entire number of employees about forty, at a yearly salary list aggregating about $47,000, exclu- sive of free diphtheria antitoxin, free vaccinations for the poor and during small pox epidemics, the summer corps of phy- sicians to visit the tenements during hot weather and treat the poor gratis; about twenty board of health stations for the dis- tribution of anti-oxin and the collection of diphtheria, typhoid and malarial cultures, or the sputum of tubercular patients, for diagnostic purposes, rent or any other running expenses. So that the salary list does not by any means cover all the city spends in looking after the health of its inhabitants. The local branch of the department is now located at 1237 Franklin Ave- nue, and was opened early in the year 1898. The health of the Bronx compares as favorably as any other borough composing the City of New York. The statistics of the Board of Health, though, show a larger mortality rate for the Borough of the Bronx than others which is easily ac- counted for by the number of institutions for chronic invalids, which alone comprise 880 beds, where they are gathered from all over the city and come here to die. It has been calculated that 27 per cent. of the deaths taking place in the Bronx should be distributed over the city at large to place the local death rate of its residents at its true level. Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.