USA > New York > Kings County > Gravesend > History of the town of Gravesend, N.Y. > Part 10
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PAUL BAUER'S WEST BRIGHTON HOTEL
PAUL BAUER .- " Mine host" of the West Brighton Hotel. | on the beach, at what is now known as West Brighton; and whose portrait appears on the opposite page, is a fine speci- men of manhood, both physically and mentally. Tall and athletic in form, he has a keen eye and an energy of manner which denote truly his quick perception, prompt action, and remarkable executive ability.
Although he is master of the English language, a slight German accent betrays his foreign birth, which occurred in Austria, August 18th, 1846. His boyhood was passed there in school and in various attempts at employment. He was successively placed at several trades; but his innate energy, and love of out-door activity, revolted from plodding labor, and he could not be kept at work. He might have become a "ne'er do weel," had he not decided, at the age of fifteen, to try the greater freedom and better opportunities to be found in America. Landing in New York in 1863, he maintained himself for a time by different employments, and then en- listed in the United States Army, serving three years in the Light artillery, and two years longer in the 4th Cavalry. Although he entered the service as a private, his energy and ability soon raised him from the ranks, and he was success- ively promoted until he became Captain. After five years he left the service honorably. In later years he was a Cap- tain in the Fifth Regiment, and also a Corporal in the Sep- arate Troop, under Col. Spencer. After leaving the army, he was employed in a restaurant in New York city, where his natural abilities and force of character made their mark at once; so that he soon left a subordinate position to assume the management of the Van Dyke House, and afterwards of the Pacify Potel. Here his success, both as caterer and gen- eral manager, was instant and abundant, demonstrating hin to be one of the few who can successfully preside over an hostelry. He saved some money, for which he sought a profitable investment. Early in 1876, during a pleasure ride with his family to Coney Island, he was sagacions enough to foresee the future of what is now America's greatest sea- side resort. When the carriage was ahnost overturned in a hollow near the present site of the chib honse. and Mrs. Baner remarked: " This is the worst place I ever saw," her husband replied: " It can be made the best." With char- acteristic promptness, on the following day. he seenred from the authorities of Gravesend. a base of twelve acres fronting
on the 22d of February commenced the erection of the " West Brighton Hotel," which was opened for guests on the 2d of May following. It is an immense palace-like structure. 212 feet long, by 145 feet wide, with a dining-room capable of seating six thousand people comfortably, at one time. It is the largest and most tastefully decorated dining-room under one roof to be found at the Island; in which, on several occasions, ten thousand guests have dined to their satisfaction. There are rooms for two hundred and fifty guests, with private dining-rooms; and four tower-rooms. for the especial use of coaching parties. Mr. Bauer is also the owner of the Pavilion opposite, of a large bathing estab- lishment, and a number of other buildings devoted to the entertainment of the public. He has also leased a portion of the ground to others for similar purposes. Mr. Bauer re- tains the general supervision and management of his hotel, and, by careful and systematic attention to details, he achieves the greatest success, and his fame attracts many of the best people to the " West Brighton Hotel." Mr. Bauer believes that liberality to the public begets their liberality in return: therefore, all the appointments in and about the hotel are of the best. Fine music is discoursed every afternoon and evening by two orchestras, one of them the famous " Vienna Ladies' Orchestra:" and by numerous soloists, both vocal and instrumental, attracting crowds of respectful listeners.
Administrative ability of the highest order is requisite for the management of so vast an institution; and this Mr. Bauer possesses in a rare degree ; as well as capacity for details. thoroughness, promptness, and financial ability. He also has the faculty of wisely selecting his assistants. His suc- cess at West Brighton has fully justified his judgment of seven years ago, and brought great pecuniary gains from his investment in Coney Island sand.
He is a member of the Masonic order, also of several gun- clubs, and of some social organizations.
Naturally fond of society, Mr. Bauer is affable and pleas- ant in manner: and a gentleman who has gained and retains the friendship of thousands, and who feels a pardonable pride in the success which he has wrought ont by his unaided efforts.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GRAVESEND.
VEL
FELTMAN'S OCEAN PAVILION, WEST BRIGHTON BEACH, CONEY ISLAND.
CHARLES FELTMAN, the first pioneer of Coney Island im- provement, was born at Verden, iu Hanover, Germany, Nov. 8, 1841.
Very early in life, when but a mere boy, he became infatu- ated with the idea of leaving his native country for the shores of America : and. as years rolled on, his thoughts kept pace with time, until, arriving at the age of fourteen years. despite the opposition of his parents and friends, without means and alone, he succeeded, after many disappointments, in finding a sailing-vessel ou which he could work his passage as cabin- boy to a country he had often heard of, far beyond the sea.
Early on a bright May morning, in the year 1856, leaving all that was dear to him on earth, he sailed from Bremen, Germany, in the ship "Auguste; " and after several weeks at sea amid all kinds of weather and trials. he arrived a penni- less and friendless boy, among strangers in a strange land. Unable to speak the English language, and not having a friend to whom he could apply. he sought in vain for em- ployment and barely succeeded in obtaining the necessities of life by doing odd jobs occasionally picked up in the streets of New York.
During the " panic " winter of 1837 he fared "very slim," subsisting chiefly upon stale bread and water, until the spring of 1858, when he obtained his first legitimate employment at East New York as a laborer, ostensibly in a coal-yard; but was compelled to divide his attention between a small farm and grocery store, controlled by the same party ; working from 4 A. M. to 10 P. M. for $3 per month and board. This variety of labor. as " man of all work," at first had its charms ; but the long hours, combined with hard work and small pay, grew distasteful to young Feltman. He sought and found a change by obtaining employment in a bakery on Smith, near Church street, South Brooklyn. His labors were here divided between driving a wagon during the day and assisting in the bakery at night. One day while at work in the bakery, he met with quite a severe accident : which, in consequence of improper treatment on the part of a
quack doctor, rendered the use of his right arm impossible for about eight months. Meanwhile his limited savings melted away.
Nothing dauuted, and willing to work, he obtained a posi- tion as an apprentice in Kernan's bakery on Fulton, near Jay street, where he remained about two years; and during the year 1866, by close economy, he was enabled to enter into business for himself as a baker. His first place of business was on Classon avenue, near Vau Brunt street, where by close attention he supplied several routes aud did a thriving trade. He transferred to Parkville, where he purchased some property and erected a building in which he continued busi- ness until the opening of the Boulevard compelled biin to leave and return to Brooklyn.
The uext attempt was at the corner of Sixth avenue and Tenth street, where he erected a fine brick structure. with brown stone trimmings, still standing, and owned by him. When he commenced building neither street had been cut through, and people laughed at his, so called, " fool-hardi- ness," for building such a fine structure in an open field. But having been blessed with that prophetic intuition which makes the successful engineer and capitalist, he steadily fore- saw the future demands of that portion of the city; which. in a short time was fully verified, as the progress of that section now proves. And from this poiut he renewed the bakery bus- iness and controlled a large Coney Island trade, supplying the " shanties" with bread, pastry and ice-cream.
During the early part of the winter of 1874, his career as caterer to the visitors of the island was first commenced. At that time. more than three-quarters of Coney Island was a barren, sandy waste, and wind-swept region ; where the Atlantic surges beat with unrestrained violence ; inhabite i at the extreme west end by some few ". clammers, " "roughs." and " three-card-monte-men," who bore the name of " Coger catchers." In the vicinity of Gunther's depot (the only rail- way then running to Coney Island, except the hors --. ir .. were a few. common-place. rough-board shanties. one of w .i'm Feltman obtained from a former customer, Martin HOA. in
43
MODERN DEVELOPMENT OF CONEY ISLAND.
consideration of the payment of $500 for one year's lease of an unconth shanty, 16x25 feet, adjoining the site of said depot. He erected, in connection with this, a shelter-house, 25x50 feet, fitted up a bar and lunch connter, and commenced a career which now justly places him as foremost in his bus- iness. Until then, exorbitant prices were charged for all " solids and fluids ; " but he began by selling luncheons and "clam-roasts " at extreme low prices, including ice-cream at 15 cents instead of 25 cents, lager at five instead of ten cents per glass, etc., etc., until, at the end of the season, so success- ful had been the enterprise that the bar-receipts alone were $6,000; $3,000 of which was divided as net profits with his business partner, Henry Wulff.
Hook, the leasor, having prided himself on having driven such a sharp bargain, was considerably chagrined when he learned of the result ; and when Feltman, at the ex- piration of his one year's lease, offered him $1,200 yearly rental for the beach-front only (for which Hook was paying but $70) it was rejected. It was then offered for $2.000, which was promptly refused by Feltinan. Meanwhile, Henry C. Ditmas' lease of the " Washington Hotel," a low, two-story frame building, 75x25 feet in size, and occupying the present site of what is now the " Sea Beach Hotel," was quite anxious to sell out, having lost considerable. At this time his lease was nearly expired, having but one year longer to run ; but, acting upon the a lvice of Feltman, who instructed him how to proceed, he secured an extension of ten years longer lease, for which Feltman agreed to pay him $4,000 for all right, title and interest to said new lease. When the money was ten- dered, however, it wasrejected; with the information that he (Ditmas) had been offered $6,000 for his lease, and would not sell for less. Thereupon Feltman, having been released from his verbal contract, returned to Brooklyn ; while Ditmas, after looking in vain for a purchaser of his lease, im- portuned Feltman again and again, until " sick and discour- aged," he readily accepted Feltman's proposition of $3,800, including all household effects, which in the previous agree- ment was not enumerated. Immediately upon the transfer of said lease to Mr. Feltman, he had plans drawn of his own architectural designing, for a new building two stories high, 55x125 feet, with a wing of 25x35 feet, and more complete in appointments than any structure then existing on the island. This he submitted to Godfrey C. Gunther, President of the only steam-railway then running to the island, and to him he made a full statement of his intentions, and urged the ne- cessity of later evening trains (than 7:15) from the island, to accommodate thousands of business men and working peo- ple, who could by this means avail themselves of the privi- leges offered at this resort, even after ordinary business hours; but all the arguments he could present failed to induce Mr. Gunther to accede to his wishes.
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He next applied to the Superintendent of the Brooklyn and Coney Island Horse Car Road, and again was niet by rebuffs. The only person he received any encouragement from was Mr. A. R. Culver, whom he met at his office in New York city, and after submitting his plans, etc., he received within one week a decided promise that the new road, when con- pleted, would run late evening trains.
Having succeeded thus far in his plans, he commenced at once the erection of his building, facing it in an easterly direction and toward the terminus of the new railroad. When completed, at an outlay of $20,000, he named it the " Ocean Pavilion;" advertised very extensively, and engaged for the season Wannemacher's 71st Regiment Band, which was the first inusic ever performed on the island under like circumstances. By hard work and dint of perseverance, he overcame all opposition and division. Although apprehen-
sive of the result, his first season in the " Ocean Pavilion " was a success. The following season he was the first to in- trodnce vocal music successfully; since which time, others following his example have caused instrumental and vocal music to be one of the greatest features of Coney Island. Every succeeding season he has added to the original build- ing ; until, at the present writing, he has a larger structure, in point of square feet of flooring, than that of any on Coney Island. It contains the largest ball-room in the world. the walls of which are tastefully and elaborately decorated with panels, consisting of allegorical figures. landscapes of German scenes, and beautiful characters representing Spring. Summer, Autumn, Winter, etc., executed by a masterly hand. This, when illuminated at night by eleven electric lights, besides 400 gas-jets, presents a beautiful fairy-land as- pect. This magnificent room, three stories high, furnishes ample accommodation for over two thousand dancers upon the floor at one time. Its dimensions are 223 feet in length, by 41 feet and six inches in width, with a ceiling of 32 feet : the roof of which is supported by seventeen iron trusses. and capable of sustaining 250,000 pounds weight. This feature of construction was originally designed for the purpose of a theatre, the balconies of which were to be suspended from the roof ; thus leaving the auditorium below entirely free from the always to be dreaded and ever objectionable columns. Or again, should he at any time desire to add more sleeping apartments for guests, he may suspend the entire third floor from the roof and partition it off at pleasure, without the neces- sity of disfiguring the ball-room in the least, as before men- tioned. To this building is added two wings, one of which is 135 feet long by 35 feet wide; the other being 140 feet long by 33 feet wide; while around the entire structure is a large, broad piazza, 15 feet wide, capable of seating 5,000 people comfort- ably ; the entire facilities affording accommodation for 20,000 people. 118 rooms have recently been added in the upper portion of one of the wings, for the use of boarders each one being large and airy, containing marble wash-basins, gas, and electric bells, and finely carpeted and furnished. The summer garden, quite a feature of this immense estab- lishment, in which is introduced a choice variety entertain- ment, is 167 feet long, by 57 feet wide, containing quite 300 evergreen trees, closely planted in large boxes along the sides. It was here Mr. Feltman first introduced to the Amer- ican public, after a visit to Germany in the fall of 1879. the famous "Tyrolese Warblers ; " since which time he has had the best talent which money could obtain.
During his second season as host of the "Ocean Pavilion." initiatory steps were taken to develop a specialty he now largely enjoys, which is that of entertaining lodge-festivals. etc. The steady growth and popularity of this class of pat- ronage may be estimated from the fact, that from two in one season, he has entertained as many as thirty-seren such gath- erings, varying from three to ten thousand each; while the excellent character and good order observable at these excur- sion parties renders the "Occan Pavilion" the most famous resort on the Atlantic coast.
Mr. Feltman has succeeded far beyond his most sanguine expectations, having received his full share of patronage. Ile is one of the most affable, energetic, frank and open- hearted men on the beach; while in stature he is medium tall and well-proportioned, quick in his comprehension of business chances as well as in social impulses; "Once a friend always a friend " is his maxim. He points with con- siderable pride to his out-door garden, consisting of trees and shrubbery. as the only successful effort on Coney Island in rescuing a little of the sand from its normal condition of kar- renness, and placing it in condition for thrifty vegetation.
46
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GRAVESEND.
VEER
ION
MRS
ANDERVEER
MRS. VANDERVEER'S BATHING PAVILION, WEST BRIGHTON BEACHI, CONEY ISLAND. 1 Mrs. Vanderveer occupies is about 175 feet in width, stretch- ing back to the street, and most conveniently located to the Culver Railroad Depot, the Iron-Piers, etc.
MRS. WILLIAM VANDERVEER .- Mrs. Vanderveer's pleasant face and buxom figure is well known to the habitues of Coney Island ; and her life possesses much of the romance of suc- cess. A native of Newfoundland-Lucy Devlin by name -- she was the youngest of three daughters. Her father, a baker doing a large business, was unfortunately drowned while on his return from a visit to Boston. The bereaved widow came on, with her young family, to Brooklyn, to meet some relatives; but, finding they had removed to Cana- da, she concluded to remain ; and, having a little means, established herself in a small business, in which she was as- sisted by her daughters. About 1857, Lucy, the subject of our sketch, married Mr. William Vanderveer, a native of Newtown, L. I., and a plasterer and brick-layer, by trade. He was afterward a captain in the Brooklyn police ; and, subsequently, held an appointment as inspector of sewers. Mrs. Vanderveer first commenced business on her own ac- count by keeping a fruit and confectionery store at the City Hotel, which formerly occupied the site of the present County Court House. Thirteen years ago, her husband came to Coney Island, in the way of his trade (in partnership with Mr. Dibble) ; and, a year later, she followed him. Her first venture here was that of a fruit and confectionery stand on the piazza of the Neptune House, which then stood where the Children's Aid Society's place now is. Here she made money, and invested it; at first, in the construction of twelve bathing houses. The next season she increased the number to seventy-five, and the year after, she had two hundred in use upon the beach. These she worked until she had earned sufficient with which to erect a hotel-the present Vander- veer House. This was in 1873 ; and, after that was paid for, she erected the present elegant and commodious Bathing Pavilion known by her name. Both of these buildings were constructed by Supervisor MeKane. The ocean-front which
The Pavilion is a picturesque and admirably planned build- ing, of 172 feet length and 65 depth ; three stories in height. It furnishes accommodations for 500 bathers; as well as a large Marvin safe for the reception of their valuables while bathing ; and it also has warm salt-water baths ; an excellent restaurant and bar, reception-parlors, etc. Its cost was nearly $46,000.
Mrs. Vanderveer has not been unmindful of the personal safety of her customers, as well as of their valuables. She first purchased the patent of Captain Street's Patent Elevated Life-Lines, which are now in very general use ; keeps a life- boat out constantly upon the water in front of her establish- ment during the day ; and two beach-guardsmen on duty daily. As many as 300 or 400 persons are frequently found bathing at Mrs. Vanderveer's beach. No less than 5,500 bathing suits form a part of the equipment of the establish- ment ; for the washing and drying of which there is an ex- tensive laundry and steam drying-room, from which, also. is furnished the motive-power for the electric-lights which supply the Pavilion, Hotel, Iron Pier and Observatory near by. Mrs. Vanderveer naturally recalls with pleasurable pride her early struggles in the erection and equipment of this Pavilion; which, when furnished, her sons painted for her, and which her daughters assist her in caring for. Not less is she proud of her very excellent hotel, 100 by 40 feet in size, and with three stories, containing 36 guest-rooms, par- lors, a large bar and restaurant ; and having attached a livery of twenty horses, etc.
All this, as the result of thirteen years of a woman's labor and industry, is a record which cannot be despised ; and forms a portion of Coney Island history which cannot be overlooked by the veracious chronicler.
MRS. LUCY VANDERVEER.
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MODERN DEVELOPMENT OF CONEY ISLAND.
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DEPOT OF PROSPECT PARK & CONEY ISLAND R. R., WEST BRIGHTON, CONEY ISLAND.
Feltman's, Bauer's and Mrs. Vandeveer's establish- ments form the substantial centre, as it were, of what is known as "West Brighton Beach," extending from the western end of the Island, at Norton's " Old
OBSERVATORY AT WEST BRUHITON. CONEY ISLAND.
Point Comfort House," to the beginning of the Con- course. This portion of the beach is the most generally popular, owing to the number and variety of its places of entertainment and amusement ; as well as to the fact, that it is the point to which much the largest number of visitors are brought, both by rail and by steamer. Here is the very elegant and commodious depot of the Prospect Park and C. I. Railroad (" Cul- ver's") ; from which also runs a branch to Coney Island Point, connecting there with the Iron Steam- boat Company's boats for New York. From near this depot, on the east, also runs the Elevated Railway to Brighton Beach, the Hotel Brighton and the Brigh- ton Beach Racing Course, etc., as, also, lines of omni- buses plying along the Concourse. Here, also, is "CABLE's," erected in 1875, the first hotel of any importance on Coney Island ; the great IRON OBSER- VATORY, brought from the Centennial Exposition of 1876, at Philadelphia, through Mr. Culver's enterprise, (and standing three hundred feet above sea-level, provided with a steam-elevator, and equipped with a powerful telescope, affording a forty-mile view of the surrounding land and water); and, near by, stands the "SEA-BEACH PALACE HOTEL," a beautiful and spacious building, formerly occupied by the United States Government at the Centennial Exposition, and now occupied as the depot and hotel of the New York and Sea- Beach Railway Company. This company is the ouly one delivering passengers directly at Coney Island from New York, independently of all other rail- road and steamboat companies. Their Long Island landing place is at Bay Ridge, whence passengers are brought direct to West Brighton Beach in the com- pany's own cars. Conspienons, alike from the land- side, and from the approach by sea, are the two
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48
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GRAVESEND.
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SEA BEACH PALACE HOTEL, WEST BRIGHTON, CONEY ISLAND.
immense iron piers; that of the BRIGHTON PIER AND NAVIGATION Co., reaching out fifteen hundred feet into the ocean ; and that of the OCEAN AND NAVIGA- TION Co .- both affording, not only a direct means of access to Coney Island for the thousands who visit there by steamboat ; but, with their promenades, res- taurants, and other conveniences for visitors, affording an unequalled source of comfort and enjoyment.
"Brighton Beach," proper-otherwise known as the "Middle," or " Engeman's " Division of Coney Island, owes its development to Mr. WILLIAM A. ENGEMAN. Its most prominent feature is the "HOTEL BRIGHTON," a large and picturesque edifice, capable of accommodating six hundred permanent guests ; con- nected with which is the depot of the Brooklyn, Flatbush and C. I. ("Brighton Beach") Railroad.
BAY RIDGE LANDING, SEA BEACH R. R.
To particularize the wonderful variety of "side-shows," games, minstrelsies, "Cheap Johns," and entertain- ments of every sort, which have crystallized around West Brighton Beach, would be impossible. It is a veritable Vanity Fair of fun and enjoyment-a Babel of music and of sound-fascinating to Youth and amusing to Age.
Fronting the hotel, the grounds are laid out most taste- fully in flower beds ; and, directly before the main entrance is the music-stand, around which are arranged seats for a large number of people. The afternoon and evening open-air concerts, given here during the sea- son, contribute in no small degree to the popularity of the place. The dining-rooms of this hotel will seat
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