The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-08
BLook or MILLIoSAIREs.
Commodore vauderbiifs wealthy NeiGhbors
Tho Old Aristocratie Centre.
The short street called washington plao,

Commodore Vauderbits wealthy NetGhbors |
Tho Old Aristocrattc Centre.
The short street called Washington place, |
in which Commodore Vanderbilt lives, extend |
ing from Broadway, above Fourth street, to |
University place. distance Of 800 feet, was a
few years ago a millionaires' row, and the block
between Wooster and Greene streets, compris-
ing four broad brick houses, probably to-day
shelters the representatives Of more individual
wealth than any other block Of houses In any
city In the world The houses In Washington
place are old fashioned, comfortable looking
brick buildings. four or five stories high. with
unpretentious. narrow porticOes and unorna-
mental windows. The street IL well paved and
considering its proximity to Broadway, very
quiet.
When Commodore Vanderbilt bought the
land which his house now stands, over
thirty years ago II was In the heart Of aristo-
cratic New York. He purchased a lot running
through the block from Washington place
to Fourth street. and used the rear por-
ton Of some Fourth street lots to lay
out circle or miniature race course, on
which TO exercise his horses. This circle Is
between the house and the stable. and II is
completely shut In on all sides by high brick
walls The house il numbered ri Washington
place and il Is the second from the corner of
Wooster street. Among Commodore Wander
bits early millionaire nei4hhorS WIS "en'He
81 Nm" block lie was n wcll-known merchant
in his day, and died few years ago, leaving. it
is said about SnWn.Wn To his heirs ON the OPP
positr side Of Washington place lived Matthew
Morgan who built the New York Hotel. and
who also left large property to his de-cen-
dants Ills near ueighhors were Henry Bcel(-
man wealthy hour merchant William Barn
wall. who had made a large fortune IA a South
crn PLANTER and removed to New York To enjoy
lts fruits and Mr. I, wnscnd. celebrated law
yer and father of John - Iown,.end. Most 81
bv the Chnunpnins. who are said to have been
a rather eccentric hut very wealthy family. con-
ters Two NJ the Chsmplnin brothers and two
of the sisters now "a o.. said. live ~ and own the
Cornwall mountains in New York. At one
time this family owned most ~ Washington
place The founder. ~ its fortunes were IL Is
.nid a sea cartnin and hi- wealthy wife The
old home of th" thamplaiu- u now the WASH
ington place Police Court. In the same block
lived T.. II. Little. n hautc brother Of jacob
Little. who was famous Tor his wealth twenty
years ago. Next door To MIR Little lived John
Iafargo. a celebrated character In his day. He
France. for whom he made large Investments In
real estate IN this country. lie built the La
FARCE Hotel and the old Winter Garden Theatre.
both Of which stood uu the present ,te of the
Grand Central Hotel. Mr., Lafarge died leaving
neps eres @ 3Het o sa lne r S w,h 6s
New Yorl, IuiVprsifv WINS the home " Mr..
Schuchardt who founded the great German
moved away about ten years ago. George Cur
tis a very wealthy man VINO was for many years
same row. on the corner opposite the present
malice court lived BENJAMIN T. Butler. father II
William Allen nutler and who in his dnv was ma
fnmou, and wealthy "A LAWYER a. William NJ
Evnrts il tn-dnv Tie houses which we're the
homes Of those rlch and celebrated men are now
ucnrIv sll u..d a. sernnd- rnte observation-disclosures
Tbeir rich furniture and ari.torratic surround
~, 49, ' i',.',,a,,d ,rt ,bn .,yi,iar,,a. ~
.I',,, d"c,v .b,,y h@tnsclVrs eNervwhcre
n,it the bloch in which Vanderbilt lives ia an
cYr.uti.n H. f,ur hugo hrirk houses with
o, s,rcttio,, bavr retained MI II their urisfine
,nnn,rencc ~ solid wealth aud old-fathioned
rnnnf,rt Tho ar-t bou-, In the block beginning
~, " nrsicr "trnst w6rr. George Barrlav lived
| f,r many venrs h. the house ~ his snu-in- law
T. A. Hives. whose wife Inherited ss.UH.Opl aud
/ who T.. him ALI wealthy There il "A story that
| hrfnra he married Miss BARCLAY Mr. Rives was
| engaged 10 he married To- tie celebrated Euge-
! rie who afterw.rd became Empress II The
| French nut 81, runs the story the engagement
! wa. hroh en- oif hernu-o Eugcnie being "a dcNout
! Crfhnlir Insisted nn having the marriage ccrr.
! inonv performed nccnrdiug To- the rites of that
! faith while h,r lover f.it equally bound To in
| sI-t On haiug married Ina the Protestant church.
/ Next ia the Comm ldnrc'- house. destitute u
| glitter. but solid and comfortable looking with