New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-08
HEIGHTS GARDENS GOING.
They Viii BE Cut Up for the
Casino of the Ne1c Club.

The cutting up OF the historic old property which
is surrounded by high brick wall at the northwest
corner of Montague and Hicks SITS. part OF which
has just been purchased for the new Heights
Casino. will add stil more to the movement that
is destroying all the old association on Brooklyn
Heights. The property. which is now used by the
Heights Playground Association. is 10 feet in
Montague-st. by 10 I'm Hcks-st. The score or more
Of well known who promoting the new
Heights Casino have purchased the westerly 10
feet OF frontage iu Montague-st ON IT they will
begin the erection OF a casino building 20 con-
tain squash and tennis and other con-
veuiences for indoor recreation. The tennis courts
Will be constructed that they be thrown into
a good sized ballroom where In the future most OF
the exclusive social affairs OF the Heights district
will probably be held
The entire plot. which has always attracted atten-
ton because OF It's high brick wall. surrounded by
iron pickets overgrown with vines. was for many
years the property Of John T. Martin He had
beautiful gardens there. and thus the property
to be known the Heights Gardens Mr.
Martin wealthy warehouse man. the owner
OF Martins stores. His home in Pierrepont-
St. doors west OF Hicks-st.. and his property
ran back. way through to MontaEUe-st and ex-
tended for some distance toward the harbOr in
Pierrepont. There he had art gallery which
contained OF the finest collections OF ancient
and modern masters ever owned by private per
in Brooklyn The yard contained his
gardens.
this time owned by Anthony Gilkinson. Wall Street
broker. who lived in Il little brick Swiss cot
tage in front OF which odd little veranda.
The cottage surrounded BY flowers and vines,
and in the summer made beautiful picture
About twelve fifteen years ago Mr. GilknsOn
died and was buried from the Swiss cottage. His
property then purchased by John T. Martin.
He tore down the cottage and added the land his
gardens. Some OF the Heights residents objected
TO his extension OF his brick wall along Montague
st m il ks nd he Iafts he. old
George l.. Nichols residence, which at Pierre
pOnt and Hicks SITS. Mr.. Martin extended his gar
dens, making them the most beautiful in Brooklyn
Two Japanese pagOdaS were "a feature of the prop
erty. Mr. Martin much attached To Brooklyn
and his home. ana would probably have lived there
until ne died had IL not been for his wife who in
sisted on moving TO NeW-1Ork city. There he died
some years ago.
Mr.. Martins Brooklyn property was sold 70
David G.. Leggett- He tore down the fine old
house in Pierrepout-st The interior trimmings
that the house sOlidly constructed and the
workmanship was so superior that some of the
workmen We're moved 10 tears at the thought OF
destroying II 10 make way for some of the more
modern and less substantial buildings Mr.. Leg
getts idea was to use the site for large and
fashionable hotel but Manhattan hotel men told
be "A success in Brooklyn. Curiously enough. Just
such structure is now about 10 be built the
site of the old PterrepOnt House, dagOnally across
from the Martin gardens at Montague and Hicks
SITS.
Mr. Leggett finally put up a row of modern
houses in Perrepont-St. and sold the gardens in
owned rs r. G. Sellew. manufacturer of office
furniture. \ few of the trees still there. but
Of the flowers and shrubs have long since
passed away. About a year ago a number OF the
prominent Heights families organized a play
ground association and leased the property for
their children to use for outdoor recreations.