New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-04
OLD ASTOR HOUSE
TO Be TORN DOWN
Continued from first page.

dependence Hall, In Philadelphia, and
Faneuil Hall, in Boston. there is no
other structure in the country in which
more history has been made or from
which more romance and tradition has
emanated than the Astor House. Its
corridors have echoed with the foot
steps of the country's greatest states
men, authors, bankers and soldiers.
Beneath its roof have slept princes and
dignitaries of many countries. AT its
famous lunch counters. il is said every
President Of the United States from
Andrew Jackson to Theodore Roosevelt
has eaten.
Even the site on which the Astor
House stands abounds in historical in
terest As early as 1742 part Of the
property was inclosed within fences
surrounding a racetrack, where the
Knickerbocker fathers were wont TO
lay wagers on famed trotters whose
names are found to-day in the city's
racing annals.
The Bulls Head Tavern--at least
one Of the best known Of Manhattan's
congregating places for those with
sporting inclinations. II not the first
occupied the site of the present struct-
ure 1ust before the Revolution. In its
long room the old burghers gathered
on winter nights 10 puff their long
seemmed pipes. In the summer they
repaired TO the spacious gardens at the
rear and had their schnapps served
beneath the trees. 1t was the original
clubhouse OF the city.
When the frst Aston had accumu-
lated a fortune he became obsessed
with a desire to build himself house
more grand and more spacious than
any on the island. He bought the en-
tire frontage on Broadway in the block
between Vesey and Barclay streets.
Back in 1920 the property was assessed
at $1,000 The present day figure IS
more than 81, 100000.
Three structures Of three stories each
and a one story building occupied the
property, which Aston bought for a
total Of $4,000. One of the dwellings
was owned by Rufus King, at one time
Minister 10 England.
When II became known that a mann
moth hotel was 10 be constructed on
the property old Manhattanites blinked
in establishment New York's northerly
limit was hardly above Chambers street
in those days, and hotel Of such pro-
portions so far uptown. II was pre-
dicted. would be monumental failure.
Hotel Opened in 1886.
Isaiah Rogers, a New England archi-
tect of an old family of American ship
builders. was engaged 10 draft planT
for the hotel In 1880 ground was
broken. on July 4, 1884, the corner
stone was laid Two years later the
hotel was thrown open 10 the public.
Astor leased the place to Simeon and
Frederick Boyden, of Boston, before IT
was finished. the conveyance providing
that the proprietors occupy 1t for seven
years at a rental OF $4,000 for the first
year. 81 900 for the second and $4,000
for the remainder Of the term.
Another account OF the first days Of
the hotel said that the first proprie-
tors were Coleman and Stetson and
that the rent was $1,000, but there
is no dispute about the fact that 1t
was the Boydens who named the place,
calling il the Aston House in honor
of the owner, who, it was said, was
10th TO have It named for himself.
Soon after its completion Aston and
his son. William Backhouse Astor.
stood in Broadway looking with ad-
miration at the hotel. The elder Astor
turned 10 his son and asked him If ne
would care to own il.
Replying in the affirmative, the son
was astonished when his father asked
him for a dollar He placed a piece
of silver in his fathers hand.
ct is yours. my son." Astor said,
pointing to the magnificent hotel, and
completing a sale of New York prop
erty rivalled only by that made by our
worthy Dutch ancestors when they
bought the Island Of Manhattan for
S24.
From its opening the Astor House
was the model for other American hos
tleries. Hotels constructed in other
cities Of the country were either repli-
cas- on a smaller scale or built closely
on its lines.
An inspection OF its old registers shows
the names of Daniel Webster. Franklin