Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-05-14
A Society Woman S
$5OO,OOO Gym
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Mrs. John Jacob AstOT, the beautiful
wife of the millionaire who Is well
known In New York and London society,
has probably the most perfectly appointed
private gymnasium in the world This
palace of Games" as 1t has been called,
was built expressly by Colonel Aston for
his wife, at their Rhcinhcck-on the ud-
son estate and commands the most beau
tiful scenery.
1t has taken nearly three years to com
plete, costing IN material and labor alone
close on half n million dollars. Mrs. As
tor, young, beautiful, the leader of the
-Four Hundred" and almost ns well
known in English society, Is an expert at
all kinds of athletics, and there are few
Of her country women who can match her
IN swimming, diving, fencing, tennis,
golf skating, riding and driving.
"FernCliffe," the country home Of the
American Astors. though one OF the oldest
houses on the Hudson, possesses little Of
that magniflcence which one usually as
sOciates with American millionaires. but
1t commands one of the most superb
views Of the world.
The "Tennis House." az Mrs. Aston pre-
fers to call the gymnasium, has been
built at slightly lower altitude than
the house in order that this magnificent
view might not be INSTRUCTED.
The group of buildings which go to
make up the tennis House." is shaped
like a T, the stem Of the letter being
formed by the great steel arched tennis
court. The entrance hall, or Resting
Hall" as 1t is quantity called, is a mag
nifcent apartment, lofty and spacious, the
walls as well as the COrlnthlan columns
which support the roof being of the finest
white marble. From the central panel Of
the roof hangs a wonderful eleCtrolier OF
gilt containing a thousand electric bulbs,
which illumine the hall IN n most dazzling
manner. From the white walls spring
other electroIiers, which add to The bril-
liancy Of n light which might, perhaps,
be painful were It not that each electric
bulb Is beautifully modulated in color and
shade. InnUmerable double doors of
French glass face each other on every
side. The fireplace is y feet high and
wide in proportion, that 10 or dozen
people could hide themselves in It's cav
ernous depths.
The mantel Is superby carved marble
and came from some ancient palace OF
Rome. The furniture IS in red plush and
leather, and extremely massive, one couch
being big enough to accommodate 12 per
sons. The floor Is inlaid with maple
wood and when the floor is cleared FOR
dancing It will accommodate 300 couples.
In the eastern wing is the plunge or
pool. where guests may swim and dive to
the hearts content. The walls Of this
remarkable swimming bath are Of white
marble, the plate glass roof being sup
ported hy huge monoIiths Of the finest
quarried marble.
The pool Is % feet wide 60 feet long
and II feet deep at the deepest end, shall
lowing off to three feet at the eastern ex-
tremty. The water is pumped direct from
the Hudson River. ana though there are
elaborate arrangements for heating to any
temperature. both Mrs. Aston and her
guests prefer IN mild weather at least,
the water az It comes direct from the
river BY touching 4 button the depth Of
the pool may be instantly regulated and.
Il desired, emptied entirely within few
minutes. The plunge Is surrounded by
gallery. where visitors may watch the
aquatic sports, which are one Of the fea-
lures Of the entertainments al Fcrncliffe
during each season.
From the pool a door leads to the mas
sage-rooms. furu shed with slabs Of pol
ished marble ana presided over by skilled
operators while nearby are the ladies'
and gentiemen's dressing rooms. each fur
nished in as perfect Il manner as thought
and money can devise Returning to th:-
resting hall" one passes through another
door and Immediately steps upon bal
conv which overlooks the tennis court -
probably the most perfect indoor court y
the kind ia America. 1t Is two STORES
high. 10 feet long and IS feet wide. Tn"
roof is arched like a cathedral, and from
the big skylight comes all the llluminn-
ton the players require At midday
when the sun pours down through the
roof-which can be opened 20 che sky
curtains of cheesecloth are drawn so that
the players eyes are protected.
The flooring is Of beaten clay which Is
believed to be far less firing TO the fert
than asphalt, and the courts are marked
with ordinary whitewash On either side
OF The net are benches for the players
but the spectators are expected to Keep
to the balcony. Mrs. Astor is one of the
best amateur tennis players in America
and she spends a considerable portion Of
her tine at the nets.