New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-03
AN EYEsoRE ON THE EAST SIDE.
THE STORY OF CARLEroN,s CASE.


THE STORY OF cARLEToN's CASE.
While few new buildings are noticed along
ThIrd-ave. below One hundred and twentieth
the most of the changes In the appearance Of the
tboroughfare either side the result of altera
tions that have been made In the old fronts. Some
new structures have been built which are an eve
sore to she majority of the business men and
prominent residents In their neighborhood They
are In the block bounded by Third and Lexington
aves.. Observation-Disclosures and One
hundred -and-twentie sts block famous for the
litigation that 1t has caused. Years ago. when
Harlem was only thriving village. the old post
road. the historic Harlem road and the Harlem lane
all converged at this point into one of the main
highways that led downtown. After Harlem had
become part of the city, and the avenues which
were laid out took the place of these roads. The
ground of the junction of them was taken by the
corporation, though the Harlem Reformed Church
people claimed. and still hold, that part of 1t
belongs to them. since it had originally been taken
from them for public purposes Tho city author
ties transformed the place into public ground.
bestowing upon it the romantic name of Sylvan
Park.
1t continued to be sort of playground until
Tweeds time, when, at the suggestion of Genet,
the Ring decided to sell 1t for building purposes
Accordingly II was cut up into lots and auctione1
Off Three of the Third-ave. lots taken and
paid for but the other buyers were not satisfied
with the titles offered them and the land. after n
short time, reverted to the city. rather, 10 was
claimed by the corporation. This claim, however,
was vigorously disputed by one David Carleton,
blacksmith squatter from Maine He maintained
that when public highway was given up the land
belonged to the person who first took possession OF
1t. On this ground he fought the city for years
when ii tried to dispossess him. The case was tried
III half a dozen courts and would probably have
been going yet but for c. ,rletOns inability to
furnish for $17 900 last winter to carry it up
higher cOurts. practically
of the land for years and built, or allowed TO
be built several Onestorv structures shantles they
called, and pOcketed the rents from them.
Most of these were cleaned out by q IRE not long
ago, but the city authorities have allowed more or
the same kind to be put up in their places Some
Of the citizens say they have called the Controllers
attention to the matter but he has done nothing as
yet TO remedy things.
One of the finest buildings for business that has
put mp in Thlrdave this season is that erected
by the Reformed Church corporation on the north
west corner of One frst-st.a and
the avenue, the site of the old church, which was
turned around so to face the street last year.
1t Is built of iron brick and wood. at cost OF
$125,0O0 The avenue front Is ~ feet and 1t
extends on the street % feet 1t is three stories
high, hut many of these are twenty feet. Some of
the show windows will be the largest in the city 1t
is claimed being l D. by 2O2 inches. The building
is surmcunted with towers aud turrets and Will be
used for stores entirely The corner half OF the
structure rents for $4,000 year This church
corporation is one of the wealthest in the upper
part of the city. The property 1t owns in Harlem
Is worth over half million dollars and is rapidly
increasing It's new church buil1ing at Sixth-ave.
and One-hundred and twenty thirdst. is Just being
finished. and with the parsonage will cost about
S135, 600 1t is built of Barea stone in the Gothic
style and has the second highest steeple in New
York 1t is 90 feet high and is finished in stone to
the top. The parsonage is the north side of the
church and the chapel on the west. The Rev. g.
Hutchinson Smyth, who was pastor IN the old
church. goes to the His place in the old
church has been taken by the Rev. Dr. Elmendorf
of POughkeepse.
On the southwest corner of Third-ave. and One
hundred and twenty second ST., Alexander
Brothers, the dry-goods men of Grand-st., arc
building n fve-story, iron-front brick structure,
which will be occupied by branch OF their estab
lishment. Several other downtown firms have
secured places here. Z. ID. Farrell, the Bowery
furniture man, is about to erect five-stOry ware
house at No 1925 Third-ave., and there have been
rumOrs for time that two or three Of tie
prominent Sixth-ave stores were also max ing
preparations TO start extensive branches ID Harlem
None of Them however as far as can be learned,
have bought property for this purpose. Norkmen
are busv clearing away for the foundation OF
large business building on the southeast corner or
Third-ave and One-hundred twenty htth-st.
where the fire occurred on the night OF Jnly D TOR
the alleged mismanagement OF which Chief McCabe
loo feet, FIVE stories high, and will be built OF
brick and stone. Louis Ranger IS the owner, he
having bought the property from the James a.
Roosevelt estate $50
Property continues to advance steadily along this
popular thOTOughfaIe. Ia some sections OIL IL lots
can hardly be had for any Price. The owner Of
a honse and lot near northumberland twenty
secOnd-st., that offered for $4,000 SIX years
ago had $4,000 offered him for the same property
recently. and refused it. frame house with
nineteenth and One-hundred-and-t twentieth SITS.
was sold for $4,000 not long since In three
months the buyer sold it for $4,000.