New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-15
CITY ITEMS.
We had dull drzzly day yesterday with liberal
allowance of mud. 1t was warm however, and for
the country fine growing weather.

NEW OPERA SFASos At THE AcApEMY.-Next Mon
day. ut the Academy. new season, under the general
directi6n Of Sgnor Morel will commence The leader
Of the Orchestra will be Signor Nicoli; the Soprano,
Mrs. Wilhorst the Tenor Mr.. Jacobs, of this City.
just from Italy where he made his studies aud debus,
and whence he brings excellent commentators; the
Baritone, NJ. Morell, etc. See advertisement.
OLD LASDNARKs.-Year after year, with the march
of Improvements old and familiar landmarks are swept
away, and the places that knew them once now know
them no more. Many of these landmarks have existed
from the commencement of the present century, and
some even anterior to that period, and with their
history almost every New-Yorker is as familiar as
households words but they fast passing away, and
their sites costly and magnificent edlhces are
reared. While we admire and feel proud of the
modern structures we cannot but regret the departure
from our midst of the old buildings for they like
the passing away of old and tried friends. The old
Brick Church within the walls of which Sabbath after
Sabbath for than century past, the pious
wort to assemble and pour forth their praises to the
Creator Of the Universe, has fallen before the mighty
hand of improvement, but its history can never be
oberated Scarce have the ruins of this timehonOred
edfice been removed ere other old landmarks are
doomed for destruction. But year or ago inrsad
was made upon the grounds surrounding Columbia
College street cut through them, and fine ware
houses erected on one side. Now the College build
ings, from whose classic walls many of our brightest
inteects have gone forth into the world and sgnaized
themselves in the various professions and pursuits of
life have been doomed and this venerable institution
will ere long be supplanted by towering edih,es
degncd for occupation by the mercantile community.
The old Tabernacle too, which has for many years
a -.
Spring hundreds have been wont to assemble to unite
in the celebration Of the Anniversaries, has at length
fallen and its site viii ere long be occupied by bea iti
fully finished edifces. The Broadway House
located on the corner of Broadway and Grand street,
another old landmark, has also been doomed to
destruction and workmen are engaged in its
demolition to give place for modern stores. This
house las a history of its which may
M, he unin.eresting TO our readers. The
site upon which the present building stands
was we believe called Bunker Hill. This hill
commenced about Howard street and assembled gradu-
ally TO Broome street Continuing in the form of ridge
toward Center street. Canal street and the present
rte of the Tombs then marshy ground, such rs Is
usual at the foot of small hills. creek about knee
deep ran through Canal street, and in this creek the
juveniles of that day used to fish, stone bridge
crossed the creek very nearly the line of the present
Broadway there being at that period no street laid out
in this part of the City The original Broadway House
was long, low; yelow-painted, frame building and
was situated on the brow of the HILL but of the time OF
ts erection or for what il first used, except Tor
farmhouse, have correct data or Information
About the commencement of the present century the
house and grounds were kept BY a Mr.. DAVIS better
known a. Pap Davis and was called " Daviss Tea
Gardens" The laying out of Broadway caused the
hill to be partially cut down, but the house was not
nterfered with, and still remained on the eminence,
heavy stone wall being built up from the grade OF the
street TO prevent the embankment from crumblng or
washing away Access to the house was now gained
by women staircase from the street, the staircase
being sumounted at the top BY large sign, on when
was painted lion and alamb, lying side by SIDE Inc
place, beside afordng accommodation Tor travellers,
was great resort for the young Newforkers OF those
days. Subsequently Canal street was hlled up anu
other improvements made in that section, but tue
house for many years remained in the position above
| described. From Pap Davis" the premises passed
into the hands Of Mr. Beekman, who took Mr. Battln,
| of his sons-n-law, in partnership MT
| Beekman some time after gave up the place 10
| Dir. Battn, who engaged in partnership with MI
| Peckwell, another son-n-law of Mr.. B.s and they
remained in possession until the hill was entirely cut
down and the lots reduced TO their present gade''
About the year 1918 the present building was erected
with al extension on Grand street of wood one story
| high which was designed for bilard-room and ten
pin alley. Mr.. Battin dying suddenly, the house was
| continued by the surviving partner, from whom "
passed TO John GAS and sfterward to sr' Iurne
| and then to Davis & Simmons about the year lo'%'
Mr.. James Davis subsequently kept the house alone
ard established the first Free and Easys thar were
| ever given in America. These entertainments oc-
curred twice a week and caused quite Juror oe'ng
attended BY all the amateur singers IN the cry ana
many professional musicians.
About the year 1896, John 5. Martin oougn' inc
building, and rented the room over the oar iOr poi"
cal meetings; and in the year 1879 john HOOP 'ne
late proprietor, obtained possession oil H. pu' inc
chief interest that attaches the Broadway House IS
the fact that it was the Wing headquarters oil TINS
city from nearly the beginning to the end oil tha great
party; though Masonic Hall at first, and Nstionai
Hall aerward was for time the place az WHICH 'he
CITY Meetings Of the party were held broadway
House being at no time hall cspacous enough TOT
full gathering of the party. "The Wing General
Committee" ard "The Young Mems General Com
mittee' however almost or quite uniformly he1u
their meetings in the second story OF Broadway houe
directly over the bar-room, in an apartment "nlcn
could hardly hold FIVE hundred persons but OF la'e
years much larger and more commodious nai VI
Grand street adjoining that just mentioned mas oeen
opened and fitted up for public meetings. "lle u
case of Grand Rally" the people nAed ".'"D
street and were addressed from window or PLATFORM
erected against the south side OF the house. mere
have thousands listened to the eloquent voiees-no"