The General Jose Artigas Statue - Spring Street Park

 

The extension of Sixth Avenue south of Carmine Street in 1925 left dozens of triangular plots where the new thoroughfare cut through existing blocks.  One of these, bounded by the avenue to the east, Spring Street on the north and Broome Street to the south, eventually earned the name SoHo Square.  

Two decades later Sixth Avenue, at the prompting of Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia, was renamed the "Avenue of the Americas" to honor Pan-American ideals.   The renaming ceremony in October that year included a parade of 4,000 World War II veterans.  Colorful medallions--300 of them--depicting the coats of arms of Latin American countries were hung from the avenue's lampposts.

Within a few years two statues of Latin American  heroes--liberator Simon Bolivar and Argentine General José de San Martin--were moved to the entrance to Central Park at the head of the Avenue of the Americas.  They were joined by a monument to Cuban patriot José Julian Marti in 1965.  Two other statues would be installed along the route, those of Juan Pablo Duarte at Canal Street and  José Bonidacio de Andrada at the edge of Bryant Park.

SoHo Square got in on the act when the the Banco de La República del Uruguay and Carlos  Páez Vilaro announced their gift of a statue to General José Artigas to the city.  It would be the second cast of the larger-than-life bronze placed in front of the Uruguayan National Bank in Montevideo in 1949, created by sculptor José Luis Zorrilla de San Martin.

Born in 1764, Artigas was born into a wealthy, landowning family.  He became a military commander in 1897 and in 1810 joined the Junta determined to break Spanish dominion over Montevideo.  Named the Chief of the Orientales in 1811, he based his provisional government on the principals of the United States' founding fathers.  His government was overthrown in 1820 and he died in exile in 1850.  Nevertheless, his movement survived and eventually resulted in the First Republic of Uruguay.

The 11-foot-tall statue was cast in Uruguay in 1987, but it would be a full decade before its unveiling in SoHo Square.  Finally, on September 24, 1997, the dedication took plate.  The 2,640-pound work stands upon a pink granite base designed by Maria Cristina Caqulas.

The statue arrived at a troubling time for the Avenue of the Americas.  New Yorkers had never embraced the name change and had continued referring to the thoroughfare as Sixth Avenue.  La Guardia's grand scheme had lost any luster it originally had.  Writing in The New York Times on January 18, 1998, David Kirby noted, "When Sixth Avenue was officially renamed Avenue of the Americas in 1945, it was lined with colorful medallions bearing the coats of arms of the hemisphere's nations.  Now many are missing and those that remain are rusting and neglected on lampposts at either end of the thoroughfare."

The avenue had been renovated in the early 1990's, at which time most of the signs were taken down and put in storage.  The city was wrestling with the question of whether the cost of restoration and reinstalling even made sense.  Nevertheless, according to Kirby, "The Parks Department plans to put a Uruguay medallion on a lamppost near a small park on Dominick Street, where a statue of the Uruguayan hero Jose Artigas was installed last September."

In 2016 there were just 22 medallions hanging along the avenue, whose street signs now included a supplementary "Sixth Avenue" sign.  But while Mayor La Guardia's grand plan seems to have been deteriorating, that was not to be the fate of the statue of General José Artigas.

In May the following year ground was broken for a renovation of SoHo Square that would include its being renamed to Spring Street Park.  The statue was removed for restoration and upon its return, was placed in a more prominent spot.  

photographs by the author

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The Wm. Augustus Read Mansion - 4 East 62nd Street

 

On June 8, 1881 James R. Breen and Alfred G. Nason sold their just completed brownstone house at No. 4 East 62nd Street to Henry Albertson Van Zo Post.  Breen & Nason were not only the developers, but the architects of the four-story, 27-food wide mansion.  The sumptuousness of the residence was reflecting in the sale price--the equivalent of $1.86 million today.

Born in May 1832, Post came from an old Knickerbocker family.  An engineer, the year he purchased No. 4 East 62nd Street he founded the Railroad Equipment Company, which manufactured locomotives and train cars and parts.  He was also a partner in the banking firm of Post, Martin & Co.

Post's first wife had died in 1860 and he was now married to the former Caroline Burnet McLean.  He had two daughters from his first marriage, and six more children with Caroline (one, Maud Evelyn, died in infancy).  One more child, Henry Burnet Post, would be born in 1885.

Son Edwin Main Post was 22-years-old in 1892 when The Sun announced, "A very pretty wedding to occur at the very opening of the month of roses will be at Tuxedo Park, when Miss Emily Bruce Price and Mr. Edwin Main Post will be married."   The ceremony took place in the Price's summer residence.  Two of Manhattan's wealthiest young bachelors were among Edwin's ushers, Gordon Norrie and Theodore A. Havemeyer.  The bride would go on to become an nationally recognized authority on etiquette as Emily Post.

Caroline was actively involved in the Suffragist Movement and on April 24, 1894 she hosted a "parlor meeting" in the 62nd Street house.  Her guest speaker was Harriet Stanton Blanche, the daughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton.   In her comments that afternoon she said, "These Brooklyn ladies who are protesting against woman suffrage must be dreaming."

The parlor was the setting of daughter Caroline Beatrice's wedding to Regis Henri Post the following year, on March 5.  The couple were distant cousins.   Regis Post entered politics and they would live for years in Puerto Rico after President Theodore Roosevelt first appointed him Auditor of Puerto Rico and later Governor.

On March 20, 1897 The Record & Guide reported that Henry A. V. Post sold "the valuable four-story stone front dwelling" to William Augustus Read.  It was indeed valuable, The New York Times placing the sale price "at between $90,000 and $100,000."  The lower amount would be equal to about $2.86 million today, nearly double what Post had originally paid.

Before moving in Read commissioned the architectural firm of Clinton & Russell to completely remodel the house.  The stoop and front were removed, and a gleaming limestone façade replaced the outdated brownstone.  Designed in the neo-Italian

Renaissance style, the sedate design featured arched pediments over the fourth floor windows and massive carved lions' heads between the top floor openings.  French doors at 

second floor opened onto an iron-railed balcony.

American Architect & Building News, June 2, 1900 (copyright expired)

A banker, Read was a partner in Vermilye & Co. at the time.  Born on May 20, 1858, like Henry Post he came from an old American family, his ancestor William Read arriving in Massachusetts in 1635.  

Read's wife, the former Caroline Hicks Seaman, also had deep American roots and was a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames.  When the couple moved in they a one-year old, Duncan Hickshad, and twin toddler boys, William Jr. and Curtis Seaman.   Shortly after moving in another son, Russell Bartow, was born.  He arrived in 1898 and was quickly followed by Caroline Hicks the in 1899.

Caroline Read with her twins in 1895.  original source unknown

The Read family kept expanding.  Bancroft was born in 1901, but tragically died in infancy, followed by Bayard Whitney in 1902, Mary Elizabeth 1904,  and Kenneth Bancroft in 1906.  Sadly, Kenneth died the same year.

The mansion's library was filled with Read's exceptional collection.  A long-time member of the Grolier Club, American Biography said he was "well known as a discriminating collector of manuscripts, rare editions of books and fine bindings, and he possessed a library of unusual value, both by reason of the character of the books and manuscripts, and the artistic beauty of the bindings in which they were preserved."

The family's country estate, Hill Crest, was in Purchase, New York.  They, nevertheless, spent time in other fashionable summer resorts.  In 1900, for instance, they leased the Kneeland Cottage in Lenox, Massachusetts.

In 1904, after being with Vermilye & Company for nearly three decades, Read founded the banking firm of William A. Read & Co.  The firm specialized in bonds, American Biography noting that Read "had a rare knowledge of the values of securities and his advice was sought by many individual and corporate investors."

The number of Read children belied the fact that wealthy couples slept in separate rooms.  It was a situation that tested Caroline's mettle in the early morning hours of February 14, 1907.  At around 1:00 she was awakened by a noise and called out, "Is that you, Will?"  Getting no answer she got out of bed and opened the bathroom door.  The New York Times reported, "For a moment she was able to see nothing.  Then gradually she made out the form of a man clinging to the upper frame of the window."

A more faint-hearted woman might have screamed, or even fainted.  But Caroline was irately offended.  "What do you want?" she demanded.  The intruder said, "I'm just looking for a place to sleep and something to eat."

Caroline walked directly to the burglar alarm in her bedroom and pulled the switch, and then went to William's room.  By then the would-be burglar had made his escape.  Before long East 62nd Street was teeming with police.  The feisty socialite had prevented a burglary, although the perpetrator was never found.

Nevertheless, William apparently did not take the close call lightly.   Less than two months later, on April 10, The City Record said he had applied for the appointment of "Mr. Ohlson as a Special Patrolman, with permission to carry a pistol."

William A. Read fell ill on March 27, 1916 and died in the 62nd Street mansion a week later, on April 7.   Caroline and the unmarried children continued to live in the mansion.

With the outbreak of World War I Caroline's four sons enlisted in the United States Navy's aviation service.  In 1918 Curtis and Russell Bartow were in France, Duncan was a flight instructor in the Government's aviation school in Florida, and William was training at the Boston Tech Flying School.  

On March 1, 1918 the New-York Tribune reported, "When the authorities at Washington learn the truth, Mrs. William Augustus Read, of 4 East Sixty-second Street, will then learn whether or not her son, Ensign Curtis F. Read, of Yale, '17, lies buried in France or is still flying with the United States naval aviation forces in foreign water."  The confusion was not cleared up until May when Brooklyn Life reported that Curtis had been killed "in an air flight near the Belgian coast."  The article noted, "The service flag which flies over the door of Mrs. Read's residence...carries stars for three more sons--all in aviation work."

Daughter Caroline Hicks Read was active in "canteen work" during the war.  That was possibly how she met Navy aviator Lt. Archibald G. McIlwaine II.  Caroline's introduction to society occurred in the 1919-1920 winter season, and was quickly followed by her mother's announcing the couple's engagement on March 22, 1920.

Russell Bartow Read, now a doctor, was married to socialite and "Junior Leaguer" Hope Williams the following year.  The newlyweds lived at No. 4 East 62nd with Caroline.   In 1927 Hope did what was the unthinkable among the high society set--she tried her hand at acting.  And she was a hit.  The Daily News said "she made her Broadway debut in support of Madge Kennedy in 'Paris Bound,' and won such high praise she was immediately scheduled for stardom."

Hope Williams, from the collection of the Library of Congress. 

Success on the stage did not translate to harmony at home.  On December 8, 1928 the Daily News reported, "The Rialto has become the dividing line in another society romance."  The article noted after Hope achieved theatrical fame, "Matrimony rapidly faded into the background."  Only months after first stepping foot on the stage, Hope obtained a divorce.

Caroline Read entered the Presbyterian Hospital in the spring of 1929 for an operation.  She died there on May 1 at the age of 60.   The mansion was combined internally with No. 6 East 62nd Street in 1931 by architect John Hamlin for the York Club.  The renovations, completed in 1932, resulted in what the Department of Buildings deemed a "residence club with sleeping accommodations."  It noted that the properties were "separate buildings under the same ownership."

6 East 62nd Street.

The club was the scene of weddings, dinners and social events throughout the coming decades.  On November 24, 1940, for instance, The New York Times reported on the coming "tea dance to be given Dec. 2 at the York Club...in aid of the British-American Ambulance Corps."  And on June 20, 1948 the newspaper announced, "The Herb Society of America, with headquarters at the York Club, 4 East Sixty-second Street, will hold its annual meeting tomorrow."

In 1985 the combined houses were converted to sprawling duplex apartments known as Curzon House.  A two-bedroom apartment in 1991 rented for $8,500 per month--more in the neighborhood of $16,000 today.   Outwardly, little has changed to either mansion.

photographs by the author

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the 1855 Marble-fronted 357 and 359 Canal Street

 

The enterprising and self-promoting William Banta ran his hat store from the three-story converted house at the northwest corner of Canal and Wooster Streets in the first years of the 1850's.  An advertisement in April 1852 read in part, "Ever on the alert, introducing to the public taste articles in the line of his avocation--Banta, the Hatter, No. 106 Canal street, has just received, direct from Europe, several cases of Straw Hat and Caps for infants, boys and Misses."  

Next door in the similar house at 108 Canal Street, Asher Rosenblatt ran his fancy goods store.  Before long the two men conspired to replace the vintage structures with modern matching loft and store buildings.

They hired architect W. T. Beers to design the replacement buildings.  Completed in late 1855, the identical Second Empire style buildings were faced in gleaming white marble--appropriate for the upscale shopping thoroughfare--above the cast iron storefronts.  The openings wore molded segmental lintels. Other than the second floor windows, which sat upon decorative panels, the sills perched upon delicate brackets.   The wooden frames created paired arched windows within each opening.

Banta's opening ad was published in the New York Herald on March 18, 1856:

Wm. Banta will Open To-day his Selection of straw goods; whatever taste and perseverance could do, to produce a superior article and a variety of styles, he has accomplished.  His exertions, no doubt, will be rewarded by a liberal patronage, at 106 Canal street, corner of Wooster street.

Banta offered a wide array of merchandise, including, according to his Trow's Directory listing, "the best qualities of gentlemen's silk, beaver, and felt hats, a full assortment of cloth, velvet, silk, and linen caps, and a very large and desirable stock of straw goods, ladies' furs, beaver, bonnets, &c. &c."

His rental advertisement for the upper floors read:

To Let--The light and commodious 2nd, 3d and 4th floor of the new, marble front, building 106 Canal st., corner of Wooster st, well adapted for salesrooms, offices or some light manufacturing business...Inquire at Banta's Hat Store.

Somewhat confusingly today, in the 19th century the "first floor," or "first loft," was what today we would call the second floor.  The ground floor was referred to as the "store."  His ad was answered by T. R. Hammond & Wilkinson, "flowers," and by James M. Speer, dealer in trunks.  (It is probable that Hammond & Wilkinson's business was in artificial flowers, used in women's millinery, rather than fresh flowers.)

Asher Rosenblatt's rental advertisement was similar.  It read, "To Let--In the White Marble Building, 108 Canal street, the first and second floors, well adapted for business purposes...Inquire of A. Rosenblatt, same building, in the store."

While Asher Rosenblatt operated his fancy goods store at street level, a relative, Samson Rosenblatt moved his embroidery store in to an upper floor.  The other spaces were occupied in 1856 by Catherine Miller's mantilla shop, and Alex Muir's fringe business.

Mantillas were an important part of a fashionable women's wardrobe in the pre-Civil War years and Catherine Miller's business was apparently brisk.  On January 19, 1857 she advertised, "Mantilla makers wanted, immediately--First rate hands can have steady employment by applying at 108 Canal street (369 new number), over Rosenblatt's fancy store, near Wooster street."

The head portion of this delicate 1856 cape-like mantilla has been folded back, its silk ribbons trailing down the back.

As the ad pointed out, in 1856 Canal Street had been renumbered, giving the buildings their new addresses of 357 and 359 Canal Street.

Catherine Miller left in 1860, replaced by Marcus H. Lichtenstein's ribbon business.  In his opening sale ad on July 16, he cautioned:

Ladies don't lose the last chance at M. H. Lichtenstein's, No. 359 Canal-st., corner of Wooster-st., upstairs.  You will not soon again have such a good chance to get the finest styles and best qualities of Ribbons and Dress Trimmings at such wonderful low prices as surpass belief, less than one-quarter their original cost.

Samson Rosenblatt had also left that year, moving to 338 Broadway.  His space was taken by Myer A. Rosenblatt, presumably a relative, who listed himself merely as "merchant."   Alex Muir had died, but his widow, Margaret, continued the fringe business in his place.  The stalwart woman would take in a partner, Mary Sage, by 1863, and renaming the business Muir & Sage.

Toward the end of 1860 Asher Rosenblatt decided to retire.  He initiated a months-long promotion--what today we would call a going-out-of-business sale--in December.  His ad said he "is now offering until the 1st of February, his entire stock of Embroideries, Lace Goods, &c., at much less than they can be bought elsewhere, inconsequence of retiring from all mercantile pursuits then."

As Asher Rosenblatt had done, it appears that William Banta leased space in his building in 1861 to a relative.  On December 11 that year The New York Times reported, "Anna Taylor, aged 20 years, native of New-York, was tried and convicted of grand larceny, in stealing two fur capes from Jacob Banta, of No. 357 Canal-street."

In the years just after the Civil War William Banta had just two large tenants.  Aaron and Leopold Buxbaum's linen firm, L. Buxbaum & Co., shared the upper floors with Isaac and Moses Buxbaum (no doubt relatives), who dealt in skirts under the firm name M. & I. Buxbaum.

Asher Rosenblatt retained possession of 359 Canal Street, leasing the store space to J. Connor in the late 1860's.  Early on the morning of September 20, 1870, a police officer found four bags of lace goods in the hallway of a building around the corner at 17 Wooster Street.  The New York Times reported, "Sergt. Pickett and other officers made an investigation and found that the premises No. 359 Canal-street, occupied by Mr. J. Connor, importer of lace goods, had been entered from the rear and $1,500 worth of goods stolen."  It was a significant heist, worth more than $30,000 today.

Connor was notified "of the affair" and he rushed to the Prince Street Police Station.  There he identified all the goods as being his.  "No trace of the thieves was discovered," said the article.

After having operated from the location for three decades, William Banta's hat store closed in 1878.  His marble building became the candy store and factory of Haggitiris & Co., run by brothers John G. and Pananos Haggitiris.  The firm remained at least through 1886, after which it became the cigar factory of Esperanza & Co.    That enterprise failed in 1891.

In 1893, 395 Canal Street was sold at auction "to close the estate of Asher Rosenblatt."  By now the fashionable shopping district had moved uptown.  That was reflected in the changing tenant list.  Although Samuel H. Blair remained in the building through 1901 making handkerchiefs and drapery trimmings, the Manhattan Show Case Company and Morgan S. Roper's "showcases and window glass" business were evidence of change.

Next door, a moving company, Kelley's Staten Island and New York Express, operated from what had been William Banta's hat store.

Richmond County Advance, June 6, 1891 (copyright expired)

Canal Street, once New York's most fashionable shopping thoroughfare, had become industrial following World War I.  By 1923 another moving firm, the Yonkers Standard Express Company, operated from 357 and the Lepper Auto Service Company was at 359.  During the Depression years the Brown Chemical Company was upstairs in 359 Canal Street.  On June 19, 1936 the Daily News reported, "Fire feeding on inflammable stock swept the fourth-floor laboratories of the Brown Chemical Company, 359 Canal st., near Wooster St., early yesterday afternoon.  Firemen confined the blaze to the laboratories."

Dorman Machine Tool Works occupied the store next door.  But another change was happening in the neighborhood.  Artists were discovering that the cheap lofts made spacious and affordable studios.  In the 1940's artist Romare Bearden established his art studio here.  Born in 1912 in Charlotte, North Caroline, he grew up in Manhattan and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated from New York University in 1935.  Writing in The New York Times on October 2, 2002, Stephen Kinzer noted, "Although Bearden had a studio at 357 Canal Street in Manhattan when the Abstract Expressionist movement was flowering a few blocks north, he did not join it."

Bearden went on to have shows at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and to receive the National Medal of Arts from President Ronald Reagan.

The third quarter of the century saw this area of Canal Street become what was unofficially known as the plastics district.  In the 1970's Amplest Inc. occupied the ground floor of 359 Canal Street.  The New York Times tipped off those preparing to move on January 5, 1977 that it was a good place to buy Bubble Wrap.

Artists continued to find living-working space (unofficially) in the upper floors.  In 1971 Italian-born artist Vita Giorgi was living in 359 when she participated in the "Ten Downtown" show.  The event had been established in 1968 when ten artists opened up their lofts in or near Soho and exhibited their works for three weekends in April.  Those artists chose another 10 for the next years' exhibition, and so on.

The original arched frames survive on the third floor of 359 Canal Street.

The two buildings are easily overlooked today.  Their marble been seriously eroded by 20th century acid rain and pollution.  Yet with a little imagination, one can imagine when stylishly-dressed ladies shopped here for lace mantillas and fashionable bonnets.

photographs by the author

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The 1890 Henry S Day House - 128 West 75th Street

 

Between 1889 and 1892 architect Gilbert A. Schellenger designed nearly all of the rowhouses along the south side of West 75th Street between Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue.  Interestingly, he did the work for several different developers, among them George C. Edgar's Sons.   

Having just completed a row of five Schelender-designed homes designed, in 1890 George C. Edgar's Sons called him back to design five more--Nos. 124 through 132.  Completed before the end of the year, the 20-foot wide homes were designed in the Renaissance Revival style with touches of Queen Anne, and arranged in an A-B-A-B-A configuration.

The center house, No. 128, was like its neighbors stood four stories high above an English basement.  Fluted Corinthian pilasters separated the arched parlor windows.  The elaborate carving at the this level included chubby, nude children on the curved portico supports, and foliate Renaissance-style decorations along the frieze.  Nestled among the leafy swirls was an American shield.  The patriotic motif was repeated in the panel above the second floor windows where an American eagle and a pair of waving American flags took center stage.  

Corinthian pilasters reappeared at the fourth floor.  The molded fans over the paired windows at this level were part of the elaborate three-part cornice.

The house became home to the family of Rev. Henry S. Day.  Born in England, Day had come to America at an early age and for years had been pastor of the Melrose Baptist Church.  By now he was the president of the New York Medical College and the Hospital for Women, and the treasurer of the American Bible Union.  He and his wife Mary had a daughter, Isabel Marie, and a son, Frank T.

Rev. Day's high standing among society had been evidenced on his daughter Isabel Marie's wedding day in 1888.  The ceremony had taken place in the Days' home only a block to the east, at No. 57 East 75th Street.  Among the guests were the John D. Rockefellers.

Isabel's maid of honor was her cousin, Nellie Day Sugden.  Four years later, on November 29, 1892, her wedding took place in the Days' new home.   The ceremony had a decided military flavor.  Nellie's groom, Irving Longking Wiltsie, was a member of Troop A of the New York National Guard and all the uniformed ushers were members of the unit. 

Henry Day's health began to fail in 1894.  Finally, "after a lingering illness," according to the New York Herald, he died in the house on April 6, 1895 at the age of 65.

Before too long Mary shared the house either with a single boarder or companion.  Whichever she was, Barbara MacGahan was a fascinating figure.  The widow of the well-known journalist and war correspondent Janarius Aloysius MacGahan, she "came from the old Russian family of Elagine, whose members were landed proprietors in the government of Tula, Russia," according to The Globe and Commercial Adviser.  In 1876 she became the Russian correspondent to the New York Herald, and in 1880 joined the staff of The New York Times.  Over the next decade or so her articles appeared in many newspapers throughout the United States and Russia.  She also translated works by Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe and Bret Harte into Russian.

Mary was once again alone in the house following MacGahan's death on February 28, 1904.  She died the following year and two years later, on March 19, 1906, Frank Day sold the house to Ferdinand and Hattie Myers Hess.  The couple paid $25,000, or about $733,000 in today's money.

Pudgy naked children decorate the sides of the portico supports.

The Hesses, who had married in 1890, had a daughter, Alma, and son, Monroe F.   Ferdinand Hess was a partner with George W. Drucker in Hess, Goldsmith & Co., leather merchants on Duane Street.  He was also a director in the New Jersey-based real estate firm, the Norwood Park Co. with high-ranking Jewish businessmen like Leopold Stern, August Oppenheimer and Lionel Straus.

Alma and her mother often appeared in society columns together.  On February 2, 1913, for instance, The New York Times noted, "Mrs. Ferdinand Hess and Miss Alma Hess of 128 West Seventy-fifth Street have gone to Saranac for a short visit."

The family's summer home was in Long Branch, New Jersey.  Alma was married to attorney Theodore Richter in the house there on June 15, 1915.

Ferdinand and Hattie lived on in No. 128 West 75th Street until Ferdinand's death at the age of 66 on December 14, 1923.  His funeral was held in the house two days later.  Only a month later, on January 23, 1924, the New York Evening Post reported that his estate had sold the house to the Eastern College of Chiropractic.

After having been the home of wealthy businessmen and their families for three decades, No. 128 now became a rooming house.  Among the tenants in 1937 was Nicholas Bilos, who made his living as a waiter in a Childs Restaurant at No. 323 Columbus Avenue.

For weeks the neighborhood had been plagued by an armed robber known as The Woman In Black.  At around 2:00 on the morning of February 14, 1937 Norma Parker entered the Childs Restaurant and ordered a cup of coffee.  There were several other customers, and Parker drank her coffee and left.  But she loitered nearby.  The manager, Thomas Hasapas, said later he noticed her pacing the sidewalk across the street.  At 4:55 a.m. the last of the patrons left and Parker reentered, ordering another cup of coffee.

When the manager brought her change, she pulled a pistol from her purse and ordered the manager "Give me the money."  He was passing the $14 from the cash drawer to her when the front door opened.  Parker turned her head and Hasapas lunged and called for Bilos.  As the two men struggled with her, the customer who had walked in joined in the fight.  In the frenzy, her pistol discharged, sounding a benign "pop."  It was a child's cap gun.

Bilos and the customer held her as Hasapas called the police.  The New York Sun reported she pleaded, "Please let me go, you're hurting my wrist."  Bilos answered, "Nuts."

The men had succeeding in ending the criminal career of The Woman in Black.  She explained her motive in the station house saying "housemaids' work bored her."

A celebrated resident by 1941 was Russian-born ballet dancer Xenia Petrovna Makletzova.  She had been trained at the Bolshoi Ballet School, graduating in 1908.  Now retired from the stage, she gave private dancing lessons in her studio on East 34th Street.

A renovation completed in 1957 resulted in six apartments, including one duplex, along with four furnished rooms on the top floor.  A subsequent and architecturally regrettable project in 1989 carved a garage into the basement.  It was possibly at this time that the stoop railings were replaced with modern versions and the brownstone painted gray.

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The Lost Liederkranz Hall - 31-35 East Fourth Street

 

Other than a new entrance portico for the middle house and a broken pediment with lyre finial, the Liederkranz Society made few exterior changes.  At the far left a tiny sliver of the Seabury Tredwell house can be seen, known today as the Merchant's House.  original source unknown

In the first years of the 1830's elegant mansions were rising along Fourth Street between the Bowery and Lafayette Place.    Sitting within the exclusive neighborhood that would be called the Bond Street District, the 25-foot wide homes were four stories tall above English basements.  Intricate wrought iron basket newels sat on paneled pedestals at the bottom of the marble stoops.  The entrances were framed in elegant Gibbs surrounds (named for the 18th century Scottish-born architect James Gibbs who had resurrected the Roman design of "blocking" the frame of an entrance).  

The sumptuous residences became home to wealthy families.   By the early 1850's Henry C. Dwight lived in No. 379, and attorney William C. Wetmore's family was next door at 381.  (In 1864 Fourth Street was renamed East Fourth Street, and the houses were renumbered 31 and 33)

On the night of November 18, 1854 William Wetmore woke up to the sound of footsteps on the staircase.  The New York Herald reported, "He started up, and on opening the door heard distinctly two men retreating, but he was unable to catch them.  On examining the house he found that books, forks, knives, &c., were missing, and coats were scattered about the hall."

Around 5:00 that morning, two police officers noticed two men carrying a basket into a Bayard Street house.  Decades before search warrants, the policemen followed them into an upstairs room where they found Wetmore's stolen articles, along with burglars' tools.  James Gilmour (who was just 16 years old) and Charles Dean were arrested.  The New York Herald added, "Gilmour had on a pair of Mr. Wetmore's stockings at the time."

The Dwight house was sold in 1855 to Pierre Sarracco who briefly operated the Grand Apollinea, a dance academy, within it.  His advertisement in the New York Daily Herald on June 12 that year read:

Prof. Saracco, the only accomplished teacher known in America, gives lessons every day.  The ladies and gentlemen who may honor him with their patronage can be assured to learn, by his unique method, in a few lessons, all the most fashionable dances.

The following February an ad touted the academy as "the favorite resort of the aristocracy from all parts of the Union; a fashionable and select circle fills every evening his elegant rooms."  Despite his self-described success, Saracco sold the house three months later to esteemed portrait Charles Cromwell Ingham.

Ingham's portrait of Fidelia Marshall is typical of his work.  from the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 

Ingham was a favorite among high society for his portraits of the wives and daughters of New York City's elite.  He was a founder of the National Academy of Design, and served as its vice president until his death in December 1863.

Ingham left the East Fourth Street house in 1862.  In 1863 it and the William C. Wetmore house were purchased by the Liederkranz Society, a German singing group.  The society paid $32,000 for the two properties--just under $675,000 today.   The auction listing of Wetmore's furnishings gives a hint of the resplendent interiors.  Included were velvet carpets, "carved rosewood Suits, in velvet plush," rosewood and mahogany bedroom suites, and velvet window curtains.  The family sold almost everything other than the statuary and paintings.

The Liederkranz Society was formed in 1849 by, according to The New York Times, "a number of German gentlemen, lovers of music, who thought by this means to secure the better cultivation of German music in this country, and to have a place where they might sociably spent their evenings."  The group combined the two houses internally, erected an extension in the rear, and raised the attics to a full floor.  In November 1863 the first rehearsal was held in the new space and a month later the official opening was celebrated with a concert, banquet and ball.

On February 4, 1864 The New York Times said, "The buildings are most admirably arranged for the purpose for which they are intended, having a large dining-room in the basement, two large and handsomely furnished parlors for ladies on the next floor, sitting rooms for the members, dining-room and a cosy little wine-room on the next floor, readings rooms, a fine library, committee and billiard rooms on the floor above."

The concert hall, in the rear, was 75 x 50 feet, its ceiling and walls "beautifully decorated with paintings," according to the article.  Balconies provided guests a viewpoint of the "singing parties" which were held three nights each week.

At the time there were 700 members.  Originally a men's club, by now it accepted women and its chorus of 110 voices was composed of 50 men and 60 women.  The society was renowned not only for its concerts, but for its annual fancy dress balls, which often took the form of costume balls.  They were held in large venues like the Academy of Music or the City Assembly Rooms.

The Liederkranz Society's first ball after moving into its new space was held on February 4, 1864.  The New York Times said it "was looked forward to with great interest by the number who had been so fortunate as to secure tickets."  The $5 tickets were limited only outsiders who had a "personal introduction" by a member could obtain them.  (The cost of admission would equal about $85 today.)

In 1869 the Italianate style house at 35 East Fourth Street was added, increasing the size of Liederkranz Hall by one-third.  While its proportions matched 31 and 35 exactly, it wore the more updated trappings of elliptical arched lintels, a pedimented entrance, and floor-to-ceiling parlor windows with a cast iron balcony.  The three houses were visually joined with a common cornice topped by a pediment.

Liederkranz Hall was the scene of glittering receptions and other events.  On December 6, 1870, for instance, The New York Times reported "The German Sanitary Fair drawing of the Weber grand action piano, the Bauer piano, the Mason & Hamlin organ, the India shawl and the 'Rocky Mountain scene' will take place tomorrow at 8 P.M., at the Liederkranz Hall, No. 33 East Fourth-street."

In 1881 a building committee purchased the properties at Nos. 111-119 East 58th Street.  The cornerstone for a new structure was laid on October 1 that year and on November 26, 1882 the Liederkranz Society moved into its new home.

The East Fourth Street building became Everett Hall, a meeting and concert venue.  The structure was threated on June 15, 1887 by fire in the third floor rooms of the proprietor, Charles Beinberg.   

Beinberg's wife had no intentions of leaving the blazing building without her jewelry and cash.  The Sun reported, "Mrs. Beinberg recollected that $800 and her jewelry were in a wardrobe in the burning room, but she was stopped in an effort to reach them by the flames."  Undaunted, she rushed into an adjacent room and through a connecting door.  The article said, "she succeeded at considerable risk in saving the money and all."  Fire fighters were able to extinguish the fire before considerable damage was done.

Everett Hall was the scene of a variety of entertainments.  On September 15, 1888 The Evening World announced that the "Opening ball of the original Alaska Pleasure Club at Everett Hall, 31-35 East Fourth street," would take place that evening.  And a few weeks later, on November 18, the fourth annual ball of the Labischiner Benefit Society was held here.

As the turn of the century approached, Everett Hall became a favorite meeting place of labor groups.  It was the scene of a mass meeting of clothing trade workers in February 1891.  The labor journal Workmen's Advocate entitled an article "Sweating / Away With the Barbarous System" and noted that the hall was crowded.  It said "the organized labor of this city has taken in hand the cause of these trades and will give them all the aid in its power."

In the first years of the 20th century Everett Hall was an equally favored space among Tammany politicians.  On November 18, 1903, for instance, The Tammany Times reported on "invitation ball" of the Lawrence Mulligan Association.  "Many prominent Tammany men besides [Congressman Timothy D.] Sullivan were present."  It was also the scene of wedding receptions of high-ranking Tammany officials.

In 1912 Everett Hall was converted to an opera house.  On September 29, The New York Times reported, "The Garibaldi Theatre, at 31 East Fourth Street, opened last night with the San Carlo Opera Company in Verdi's 'La Forza del Destino.'  To-night 'La Favorita' will be sung."  The article went on to list the upcoming performances, a different opera every night.

As mid-century approached, the West Fourth Street block, where once stylish carriages dropped well-dressed ladies and gentlemen at their marble stoops, had become gritty and industrial.  The former Liederkranz Hall was converted to a parking garage.

The structure survived until 1988 when, according to one historian, it was "demolished surreptitiously in the middle of the night."  The wrecking was done with no concern for the remarkably intact sole survivor of Joseph Brewster's 1831 row.  Known today as the Merchant's House Museum, the Seabury Tredwell house suffered substantial structural damage.

The site of Liederkranz Hall remains a vacant lot.

many thanks to historian Anthony Bellov for suggesting this post

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The 1851 Max Weil House - 133 West 12th Street

 

Born in 1781, Elizabeth Robertson Walsh was the wife of affluent broker James Walsh.  She had a fortune of her own and invested heavily in Greenwich Village property.  Her daughter, Mary Robertson Walsh, married Henry James and their son, Henry James, Jr., would go on to become one of America's greatest novelists.  

In 1828 Elizabeth purchased building plots along the northern side of West 12th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues from the heirs John Rogers.  She began construction on a row of identical merchant class homes on the site in 1851.

Among them was No. 53 (later renumbered 133).  Like its neighbors it was a blend of Greek Revival and the more recent Italianate styles, with a sumptuous Gothic Revival doors thrown in for good measure.  Italianate cast iron railings lined the areaway and stoop.  The earred brownstone entrance was purely Greek Revival, as was the understated modillioned cornice.  The floor-to-ceiling parlor windows were most likely originally graced by cast iron balconies.

By the late 1850's it was home to the Maximillian Weil family.  Born in Bavaria, Germany, Weil had come to America at the age of 17.  Known as Max, he and his wife, Matilda, were married in 1850.  They would have six sons--Edwin C., Louis J., Alfred, August M., Simon R. and Theodore G.--and two daughters, Fannie and Bella.  Weil was a partner with his brother Joseph in the dry goods importing firm of J. Weil & Brother.  

Like all the women along the block, Matilda maintained a domestic staff.  In August 1865 she was looking for "A girl to do general housework and assist at washing," and two years later she sought "A cook for a private family.  One who has lived with a German family."

Burglars were well aware that well-to-do families spent the summer months in the country, away from the stifling city heat.  Those who did not leave a caretaker behind made their homes a tempting target.  But during the summer of 1878 Matilda was ill and the Weils were unexpectedly at home.

On August 9 The Sun reported, "Several houses within the limits of the Ninth Ward have been broken into lately, in the absence of the occupants in the country....At about 4 o'clock yesterday morning, Eliza Mead, a nurse girl, employed at 133 West Twelfth street, who was sitting up with her sick mistress, heard the sound of breaking glass."  She looked out the window and saw a man climbing into the house of Justin D. Hiscock through the smashed window.  He was followed by three others who had been hiding.

As soon as they disappeared Eliza ran to the street to find a policeman.  Two officers "entered the house, and, after a search, found the four men hidden away in the attic.  The burglars were easily captured, for they had no firearms about them."  Eliza Mead was hailed a hero.

In 1882 Max Weil retired.  Oddly enough, while his sons went into the importing business, they had not joined their father's firm and with Joseph Weil already dead, the firm was now closed.   

Belle was married to David Hochstadter, a member of the wholesale clothing firm Hochstadter Brothers on the evening of December 17, 1884 in Delmonico's.  Her brothers served as ushers and The New York Times noted, "After the marriage service the guests sat down to a fine collation."

Max Weil died in the West 12th Street house on April 8, 1887 at the age of 67.  His funeral was held in the parlor two days later.  The New-York Tribune remarked, "Only the immediate family and a few friends gathered around the coffin as the last rites of the Jewish faith were performed."

Matilda continued to live in the house with her three unmarried sons.  Albert Weil was 21-years old at the time of his father's death, and August was 26.  

In 1890 Albert was attending the Columbia College Law School, but was suffering from a spinal disease which caused a partial paralysis.  The Sun said of him, "His habits seem to have been unexceptionable and his family say they know of no love affair."  His medical condition, however, was more troubling to him than the family realized.

At around 1:00 on the afternoon of March 20, 1890, he left the house telling his mother he was going to a matinee.  He got out of his cab at Union Square and, according to The Press, "engaged another conveyance, ordering the driver to the Thirty-fourth Street Ferry."  There he purchased a ticket for Long Island City.

The Sun reported that he "trudged through the snow storm in Prospect Park, Brooklyn...and shot himself through the heart after reaching Lookout Hill, one of the highest points in the Park."  His "well-dressed" body, as described by The Press was brought to No. 133 West 12th Street, "whence the funeral will take place this afternoon," said the article.  The Press added "The family is well known in Hebrew circles."

Matilda received another shock two years later.  August M. Weil spent that summer the fashionable resort of Saratoga, New York.  Almost assuredly his mother accompanied him.  He shockingly died in the Kensington Hotel there on August 2 at the age of 41.

Matilda died on October 4, 1900 and Theodore sold the house to Anna S. Wilner and her husband, Samuel, within the week.  

Anna had graduated from the Women's Medical College of the New York Infirmary for Women and Children in 1895.  She was a well-respected physician and wrote articles like "Childbed Fever" which appeared in the New York Medical Journal in 1906.

The Wilners remained in the house until 1918, when Anna leased it as a rooming house.  When she sold it to Mrs. Leighton H. Smith in 1924, it was described by The New York Times as a "converted house," meaning that it now held apartments.

That changed in 2017 when plans were filed to restore the house to a single-family residence.  Much of its 1851 appearance survives, including the sumptuous Gothic Revival entrance doors.

photographs by the author

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