The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-29
PALACES on THE HUDSON.
Ferncnn. the Beautiful Country Seat or John
Jacob Aator.

PoCGHKEEPsIE, Aug. 2s.-Ina few more year,
the last wall will be Ievelled OF the old-style
country houses on the middle Hudson, which
less tnan half q century ago were regarded as
the acme OF elegance and comfort. but with the
advance Of modern ideas have become distinctly
out OF date. On the site OF these old houses in
the towns OF Hyde Park and Rhinebeck Dutch
ess courtyt severblcostly DIV GlliIgs, with al, the
appliances for comfort and healthtr;l living.
have within several years past been erected at n
cost in the aggregate OF S2.Ooo,ooo. The most
conspicuous OF these new residences IS that
of Ogden Mills at Staatsbursh, which cost
$500. 900. For a year past an army OF work
mel have been engaged erecting a beautiful
structure for Fred W. Vanderbilt a: Hyde
Park. on the site OF the old Langdon House.
Col. Archibald Rogers occupies n costly stone
mansion a short distance south OF the Wander
bilt place. Other examples " the possibilities OF
the modern country home are shown in the
Rhinelander and starr-Milier palaces in Rhine
beck. as well As in eN-Gov. Morton's house in the
ssue town.
The building fever has now seized Col. John
jacob Aston. and in the course OF a year or
two. it is said. he will begin the construction of
n mansion which will allow him 10 crafty to
tho fullest .Itent his passion For life in the
country. Col. As,Ur SPENDS the largest portion
Of his me At Ferncliff. ira Yelling to anu from
New York on fast trains that are stopped at
Rh!neciif for him, and giving Just as little time
TO business in the metropolis IS possible. The
boundaries o: FernciiiI inciUse about 500 acres
otland. II @AS.ginally purchased by william
Aston. whose attention was attracted to the
nciehtorhood vixen a boy. bis father. William
I. Astor. Was thcBsner OF a besutitul countrE
seat, -RokeSv, near Rarrytowu- There Wiz
liam Aston srJ1. many d v Ply summers and I'M
bibed Az ardent love for the Hudson. The towrr.
, ing .shtAEilS Dp-Ost'e. and the rolling country
in the immediate rsign ~borhood. on which ma
tHre had WorXrn MN sirn p9on.SaI 1ann; ~.
summers AT hi;inebeck, nearly half a century
ago. his first purchase comprised a farm OF about
broad plateau where row stands the m.nsion
was then barren Of trees. and bore the general
the clay hills s:i!l 10 be seen n THAI l~,celity.
Much of the farm WINS made up OF stony
, knobs. bogs. or devastated timber land.
OF the rough 9tare the diamond that
now makes Ealneheck IL" Mecca Tor pilgrims
wno want TO see one o. the est kept ,estat : IL
the country. From me time bat the land caps
gardeners began Improving .Fe7nc!if. adjacent
farms have been added, unti! now II comprises
a spacious domain. jncladInE sweeping lawns,
ConItno .iols pleasure groun.s, extended drives,
terres. Conseryator!e5 and an extensive system
OF barns and st-hiing.
The M in entrance to Fernc if from the river
road Assumes the character ~ a private drive
through an extensive park. II il w'lled from
the grounds BY massive lines OF, masonry tyt
= lftA AA4a II. 'Ak - PHA HAA W hAH As So - NhsN
entrance are seen extensive greenhouses, con
seryatories. and vegetable houses. with rheil
surroUnG ing flower and vegetable gardens. Tht
plate u in front OF the greenhouse is one Of th'
most elevated parts OF the estate. and from II a
beautiful view IS obtained Of the picturrsqI NJ
scenery il the vicinity and the mountainous
country In the distan =.
The carriage roar from the main entrance t.
the mansion is nearly u mile long and ahou
twenty feet in width. Il is kept in ine condition
and its FIRE use was accorded bicycle rider
until Sir. Aston was Obliged to withdraw tn,
courtesy because o. rude treatment at the md
Of those vino we're enjoying his libera!Ity. TIL,
drive winds over hills. through secluded copsc
md leafy dells. presenting varied ard interest
Ing pictures Mt each new point OF view.
The Old mansion Is d fine example OF ltaiial
architecture in brick. It stands on a plateal
overlooking the Hudson. and is surrounded D
lawns beantihed by trees. shrabhery an
flowers. The front entrance TO the mansion
commands the eastern or inland view, whic!
reaches ont over "A brord extent Of avn. wit
the country in the distance. DURING willinr
A4tor's lie. Fcrnc.if had extensir, t.nh'a:
Since his death the breeding OF running horse
has been practically 40 ntonei, and John Jtco
Aston has given most OF bis attention TO rais!n
J.. l.