New-York tribune., 1908-03-22
CARNIVAL HILL CLIMB.
HISTORY or THE PL1CE.
Name Changed an Honor of British
TictOru in Revolution

When the carnival cars enter on the more serious
business of the great hill climbing contests on
Thursday. April o. they will speed ND sorls ot ths
most historic ground in greater New YORK There
was fighting there on more than day in the
War of the Revolution. and on the crest Of the
hill & X .. Billings. the hOrssrns1, whose house
and stables close n. has maintained sons
Of the old earthworks. once stained by ths BLOOD
Of English and Americans under Washington ana
Howe
From the reminders Of the beginning Of
ton which to be found at the top OF the hhi
the drivers and those vnU gather TO see them
struggle will find at its foot one the best
pies of modern engineering triurnphs- for there
the subway eIaerges into the open AIR from tiAe
tunnel that. beginning al 10Th street runs under
rock and hills 70 Dyckman street one OF the long
est and most difficult pieces Of tuuneiliH< this
country Il is in this section that the dssyest p0T-
ton OF the subway is passed Those going 70 see
viii find the SUBWAY tlsir quickest route
leaving il at Dyckman street. which Is at the
starting point
The hill itself is nineteen hundred feet n
length. grade varying from ten TO four
teen degrees paved with granite blocks
making the surface d good deal Ike the COD
bIestone paving ordinarily used on particularly
steep hills. although the blocks are much better
for automobiles. making much less trouble for
tires
When the cars reach the top OF the nil
superb view will spread itself in all directions
To the east the eye can see across the Bronx
o the sound with the woods ard hills OF
Long Island showing in the far distance II r1s
day be clear Looking straight down TO the
river. there is a tangled mass OF trees and
shrubhery clear 70 the waters edge Here and
there a scenic railway giant swing seec1s q
proclamation. and II IS hard realize that ths
relocated troops OF Lord CORVALLIS storrnct Up
those heights on November IS. I777. IN that
movement against Fort Washington that seemed
for time TO sound the death kneu OF ths
hopes Of the Colonies
Colonel Baxter was the commander OF ths
American forces that day. and held ths
works what vas ar that time known as Laursl
Hill His forces were ournuroered. however.
and despite brave resistance. in which he him
self was killed. the British advancing from
both sides. took the stronghold Laurel IIfII
was renamed in honor Of King George, and tbs
body of the brave Baxter was buried near ths
spot where he fell
The attack on Laurel Hill part OF
general movement against Fort Washington. whic,
commanded the Hudson. Colonel Bakers post
, did the Harlem Lord CornwaIliss forces crossed
the river in the night from the Westchester side.
where they had been massi1g under Hows's eau
tious plans for weeks. and swept Laurel Hill
of their way they the greater ri
uHph involved in the fall Of Fort Washington and
the subsequent evacuation Of Fort Lee.
So much for the history OF the place To tbs
south stretches New York City. on most days a
pail Of light smoke Landmarks pierce their way
through TO the clearer air, however. and he who
knows his New York pick OUT many sky
scraper. The Speedway runs along around the foot
OF the hill. and the devotees Of gasoene and
may look down on those faithful TO the horse To
the west there the woods OF Inwood and Wash
/ fngton Heights. the broad Hudson and the PaIi-
sades. while the north the hills OF Westchestsr
| loom up
Last year on August the first climb was held
| up Fort George hill. and many records were
| broken One crashed into a subway pillar BE-
fore the start. and result the flying start has
| been given Up this year
On Thursday 2. D Homan drove Rambler car
the steep and tortuous incline IN close 70 record
time the machine working well that IL Is likely
TO be heard from the day Of the contest