The sun., 1917-01-07
PARK GIFT LINK
TO PALISADES
John d. Rockefeller. Jr.,
Plans Ferry to Connect
Two Resorts.
BIG ESTATES ACQUIRED
Many Millions to Be Used on
Billings, Hays and Sheafer
Properties.
BIG ESTATES ACQUIRED

the Billings Hays and Sheafer estates in
the Fort Washington section Of Manhat-
tan means more than a park for the use
OF New York city dwellers. 1t means
bringing over from New Jersey the en-
trance to the great Interstate Park which
extends along the Palisades up to West
Point The estates are to be connected
with various parts of the park by large
ferryboats. which will be operated by the
city or by Mr.. Rockefeller. He will spend
many millions in the development of the
hfy-seven acres on Fort Washington
Heights purchased from c. X G. Billings
and the Hays and Sheafer families.
Cabot Ward. Commissioner Of Parks
for Manhattan and Richmond. has been
told OF the plans OF Mr.. Rockefeller, and
together they have spen, much time in
working out general treatment Of the
big area. 1t was said that upward of
s1o.ooo,oQo will be spent by Mr.. Rookie
Teller in the development OF the property.
This is the amount he has laid aside for
the purpose. il was said. but It does not
mean that 1t will be all he Is willing to
put into the park. which has evolved into
one OF his leading public interests.
How Idea Originated.
Discussion Of the inaccessiblity Of the
Interstate Park to New York city by a
group of several young women within
hearing OF Mr.. Rockefeller about a year
ago as he was travelling in a train to
Tarrytown is said to have led TO the pur-
chase of the Heights property and the
development of the idea OF bringing TO
New York city the entrance to this park
Publicity which followed Mr.. Billings's
leasing OF twenty-seven room apart
ment on Fifth avenue and the announce
ment that Tryop Hall. his $4,000, 900
property on Fort Washington Heights.
would be sold gave Mr.. Rockefeller the
opportunity to carry cut the plan he had
in mind.
Certain Of the Billings property. since
he had information that Mr.. Billings
would facilitate his purposes in every
way. Mr.. Rockefeller took up the pur-
chase of the Sheafer and Hays prop
critics in secret negotiations. for he did
not want his plans to get out. The
Sheafer property. the northerly of the
three, was the first to be purchased.
Then the Hays property. between the
Billings and the Sheafer estates. was
acquired. To complete his deal Mr..
Rockefeller then took up the purchase
of the Billings property. This was only
few days ago.
Mr. Billings knew>of Mr.. Rockefeller's $
plans and the story is that ne considers
the transaction between himself and Mr..
Rockefeller in the light OF a philan-
thropic deal There was no pickering
about the price or the like. Mr.. Billings
sold his estate to promote Mr. Rookie
feller's plans.
Area May he Extended.
Mr. Rockefeler's reluctance to discuss,
or even admit that he had purchased the
property is taken to mean that he plans
to extend to a great area the park which
he will develop at the north end Of Man
haitian. 1t was said yesterday it was
possible that the donation to the city
would cover practically the entire ridge
all the way from Tryon Hall to the end
Of the island. Most Of this property has
remained in a virgin state. because of
the topography of the section. which has
prevented builders from invading it to
any great extent. Tryon Hall. Mr. Bill
lingss fine estate, Is in the heart of the
proposed park.
On the highest point on Manhattan
u a
son River for miles up and down the
river over Long Island Sound and away
across The Bronx and into Westchester
county. Tryon Hail. and In fact most
OF the principal buildings on the estate.
is TO be preserved In Mr. Rockefeller's 6
park plans, The dwelling. which is built
in the Louis XIV. style of architecture.
sets out toward the edge OF the plateau
about $50 feet above Riverside Drive
and probably twice that high above the
level OF the Hudson. 1t is the most i'm
pressive structure for miles along the
river The development of this property
cost Mr.. Billings about 100000. inde-
pendent OF the cost OF the property.
House Designed by Lowell.
He began to accumulate the estate a
number of years ago. First he built a
stable for his great trotting horses.
Then he erected a lodge. The beauty of
the spot grew on Mr.. Billings until he de-
cided to develop the property into a for
NAL residence. He bought adjoining
property to the extent of $50 lots. all of
the site of the famous old Fort Tryon. a
redoubt in the Revolutionary war. Guy
Lowell designed the house in the French
style with a big turret at the corner,
Back of the house Is great swimming
pool and numerous stables, where were
kept until three years ago the best trot-
ting horses in the world.
1t is the intention of Mr., Rockefeller.
It was said yesterday. to preserve Tryon
Hall and the big swimming pool. but for
what purpose was not made clear. He
also plans to preserve the Abbey Castle
on the Hays property, just to the north
OF Tryon Hall. The castle Is now n
hotel known as the Abbey Inn. 1t was
built more than half "A century ago by
the Hays family. which has owned the
property for more than twenty-five
years. There are 900 lots in the Hays
estate. on 1t is the famous Abbey Hill
over which automobiles are tested to
show their hill climbing power.
Just north of the Hays lots Is the
Sheafer property. an estate of 23S lots
bought by Walter S, Sheafer twenty
Ave years ago while State Gcologist OF
Peni sylvania. The three properties com
pris, about hfty-scven acres, reaching
from Broadway over to Riverside Drive
and from l92d street north to the drive
which turns to meet Broadway at Dyck-
man street.
Yacht Landing Also Acquired.
Besides these lots the Billings yacht
landing near Dyckman street. big tract
Of land has been acquired by Mr.. Rookie.
feller. from which he will operate the
ferries to the various parts OF the Inter.
state Park There will be number OF
Continued on Fourteeah Page.