New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-22
Bright Outlook in the
YOrkvilLe Section

PRACTICAL carried out. great future posi-
bilties can be expected from this sec
ton.
. Investors and builders will do well 10
consider the future of this. one OF the
safest and most steady sections of this
great city.
"Yorkvile is an historic district When
New York began to grow rapidly north
ward from the old Knickerbocker districts
many of the well-to-do families sought
suitable place for summer home on
Manhattan Island. At that time no sec
ton offered more rural advantages than
YorkNille.
THE district is bounded by Fifth ave-
nue. and the East River. 57th and lcOth
streets and was traversed years ago by
the old Boston Post Road now Third ave
nue.. The Boston Road was one of the
principal thoroughfares running north
and south throughout the entire length
OF Manhattan Island.
"As result of the growth, both in a
business and residential way, in the lower
part of New York, the Astors. Gracies,
Primes. Lawrences. Beekmans, Rhine
lauders. Rikers. Pauldings, Brevoorts,
Provosts Joneses, Schermerhorns and
other we'll known families bought large
tracts of land in the Yorkville district.
Some Of the homes OF old Knckerbock-
or families Of New York. which were
built in the early part Of the nineteenth
century. were still standing in good con-
dltion along the East River about twen-
ty-fve years ago. ard here and there
might then be seen a few isolated truck
gardens.
In the early sos many thrifty persons,
most OF whom were Of German descent.
bought plots in the Yorkville section and
erected on the site small houses. The
majority of the houses were OF four
stories Later five story 1athouses were
built in the section, and soon afterward
numerous factories were established there.
1t was along the river front that most OF
the industrial concerns were built soon
after the district began TO attract the
heads Of factories.
While this tenement and factory build
ing was taking place east Of Third ave
nue., the westerly half Of the section was
being transformed into the choicest home
district Of New York. And since that
time in the upper Fifth avenue section
have been the homes OF many persons
prominent In society and business circles.
Not many years ago the old-fashioned
horsecar disappeared from this section.
The transit facilities OF Yorkville first
comprised horsecar lines, next followed
! elevated roads. then cable cars, then troll
leys. and now the entire region is being
permanently linked 10 the great subway
routes Of New York by the building OF
| the Lexington avenue subway line.
/ To-day Yorkville is a thickly populated
and thriving section of the city. 1t has
manufacturing concerns of many kinds.
small and large department stores, more
! than six popular theatres. handsome CLUB
houses. numerous banks, trust companies
and savings institutions, and large num-
her OF hourishing churches. A few old
/ landmarks still remain OF the days when
YOrkvile was most suitable for summer
/ homes. In the northeasterly section.
/ fronting on the East River. is the house
/ built by Archibald Oracle in 1873 II Is
surrounded by several acres of beautiful
trees and shrubs The house and land
! comprise one OF the citys finest breath
! ing spaces, known as Carl Schurz's Park.