New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-10-05
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
DESTRUCTION OF HISTORIC REMAINS.
many Revolutionary Landmarks on Wash
ington Heights Have Disappeared.

10 the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir; The destruction OF those evidences Oh INC
past history OF our country which are situated upon
washington Heights has proceeded of late AT d
rapid rate. and il may be of interest TO thos VIM
arc concerned In such matters to RECORD inc
changes which have taken place
Fort Tryon the Revolutionary fort upon INC
beautiful hilltop on the northerly end OF MOUNT
Washington has almost entirely disappeared py
reason Of the construction by c. X e. BILLINGS VI
his new residence and grounds.
The new house occupies what was once the west
rampant of the fort and Its once 1arninar nor
west bastion The southerly line OF RAVENS was
cut by Fort Washington avenue and Its continua-
ton to the barrier gate in Broadway. at 1920 street
was destroyed by grading in the gardens ana
grounds Of residences
The north bastion remains well defined. but gar
deners recently been helping themselves to the
material OF which It composed
The outwork the hillside northwest OF the
fort also remains intact. but projected extern
sion Riverside Drive will cut through It. II car
ried out.
The ramparts of Fort Washington. which
are not included in that part Of the site OF the
fortress which James Gordon Bennett has so gen
erously proposed to give to the nation. are IN
cluded in lots marked for sale at early date
this fall. The two westerly bastions which are
nerns work in i6 aF viii thus be lost to public
enJoyment and in all probability will be destroyed
The picturesque Death Cap" east of the fort on
SS me or lSSd street. the traditional scene or
nshIlng IN the battle of Fort Washington. has
Deen this month destroyed by the grading OF Ben
Eett avenue, with the "Hessians' SPRING at the
loot of the great rocks
Eefe We're found during the last week confrma-
eoTy evidences Of the tradition in the shape Of
cannon balls and unexpoded shell. bullets and
otler evidences OF warfare and OF camp life.
ne operations of terracng the site OF Laurel
I'M now known as Fort George HID. near the
me or 1921 street destroyed this spring the traces
or the redoubt the east side of the old high
way which formed part Of the defence of the high
ROAD known as the Barrier Gate
4, For the purpose of grading and filing in of
6}{ soc avenue, much of the remaining ramparts
u 4 orr George has been eXcavated this spring
a F carried away leaving only the east revetment
81 Inc ralnparts OF that great fertilization The
sue OF an officers guard hut was discovered by
Ihe writer within the area, and a number Of evil
a et of occupation were found therein around
the brick hearth of the fireplace.
Many other picturesque and interesting objects
nave disappeared; such the beautiful avenue OF
ems at 10th street. extending west from Broad
way, long known as Ravens Lane; also the hand
some old Connolly mansion, west Of Fort Washing
grounds.
The ancient dwelling of the Obnus family prob
ABLY quite the oldest building in the borough now
N use as the temporary home OF the Washington
Heights Hospital, stands in the line of the pro
tected opening OF 18th street and will ere Tong
go the way of its many neighbors
~ - REGINALD PELHAM BOLTON,
o, Ma Knr nOrA