Year: 1870




Revival Of Activity in Suburban Property
staten Island and Wcstchestcr County the


Features.


After protracted period of dulness the real
estate market at last begins to show signs Of cer
tain revival Of activity at least department OF
speculative interest. With the recurrence OF an
other season of blossoms, when the quiet places Of
the country, remote from the citys noise, and dirt
and dissipation, yet within easy communication OF
It's business centres are dressed with the rich garn
ture of budding spring. inviting to rest and resi-
dence we come in the same natural course to an
other season of activity In suburban property. Last
year this season was one OF great ami
nation ana profitable speculation. Sales were
numerous and well attended, and the prices
realized generally satisfactory. Large tracts OF
land changed owners in small parcels and many
localities previously bare Of population and seem
1ngly barren if any future were secured for the first
aud wakened into life for the other By the auction
eer's hammer.


This year gives promise OF similar results. 1t Is
also likely to be marked in even more eventfu way
the same relation From present indications there
appears to be prospect OF very decided rivalry In
the real estate market between Westchester county
and Staten Island property. Though widely sepa-
rated both have much In common. The drawbacks
to each are much the same-diliculties OF cOmmu-
nfcation with the city and uncertainty respecting
the time when and the means whereby these difcul-
ties will be overcome. A damaging suspicion has
likewise swept over the fair surface OF each, the
poisoned breath Of which rises in imaginary eXhala
IONS from the otherwise attractive fields OF both.


1t used to be q frequent subject OF remark during
The comparatively recent sreal estate furor, that


STATEN ISLAND


did not seem to share in the great excitement. That
While immense sales were daily reported as having
been made elsewhere this particularly lovely spot
should be overlooked or neglected


The fact being that property owners on that island
rptiCpnt ahOut selling at auction. DroerriQp
rather dispose Of their lots at private sale when
they could select purchasers and nave as neghD0rs
only such as were agreeable TO them But the time
Ia rapidly approaching when they VIII have to act
with less reserve. The go-anead spirit OF American
who were frightened away by silly tears will soon
be obliged TO share with others the lovely views,
the beautiful hills and valleys, the strong, health
giving sea air and the numerous other advantages
They have long and so selishy enjoyed. There are
now among them considerable number OF pubic
spirited men who mean the island shall take the
place which belongs to IL, and their Intentions are
taking form and shape and being rapidly carried
into effect. Al New Brighton during the past season
eight handsome three story brick stores have been
erected; also some twenty first class dwellings, aud
almost any number OF less pretentious buildings.
continued scene OF hustle ana activity; the high
ways are being improved, the roads macadamized,
the streets tagged and curbed and everything being
done to make the place popular and inviting to gen.
tienen who, doing business in New York, prefer 10
have their families reside out OF the city away from
the annOyances peculiar TO IL, where they can buy
or rent on reasonable terms, where they can enjoy
all the comforts OF a nome without paying extraya-
gany for It, and yet be within easy distance OF their
stores and Offices This Is on the North Shore The
South shore Is less forward in improvements, owing
to the insufficient ferry accommodations there more
severely felt. What IL needs good boats, frequent
trips to one point on The island, the most convenient
to New York, and then either an auxiliary boat to
from the first to the remaining landings or allow
passengers 10 take the horse cars II they so prefer
The thing Is easily done. Everybody would be salts
fed and the dividends would certainly be Increased
Many projects are under consideration to remove
these obstacles to the future progress OF the island
and designed to add to It's attractions some of which
have already been considered here and Others or
which Will be referred 10 again.


WESTCHEsTER COUNTY


comes to the front this year as the scene OF one of
he largest real estate enterprises tDat has ever
been attempted in his vicinity. Mr.. Andrew VIII
son, Jr gentleman OF large experience, great
pluck and indOmltaDe energy, who brings INTO the
narrow field VI speculation III Tie East the Dotuness
OF conception and Skin III execution which belong
TO the wider range OF Western enterprise, and those
special quahles adapted ITO tnis peculiar work.
which have been so successful IL Winning TO ciyil-
Zation the vast territories OF our Occidental empire
has recently purchased some 2,0U0 acres ol land in
about The centre Of WestcAestef county. This land
has been obtained from various propretsIs aud IS
as dvereifed in surface as III the character
of its former ownership, comprising many patches
OF cultivated fields much wild land, ana every va
riety OF hill and dale from me deep gueh and pc
turesque valley TO the swelling upland and high
terrace. The station OF Mamaroncck. on The New
Haven Railroad is about the centre of the property
which stretches either side OF this road--n one
direction to the Sound and in the other 10 The Har
lem road. Its extreme dimensions are three miles
in width and nve In length, the whole forming an
irregular figure approaching paraiieiogram. Mr..
Wilson has protected many Improvements and COM
menced some which, when completed, viii greatly
enhance the value OF this property II is proposed
to dispose OF the entire estate in lots py auction,
sales TO be held on the ground forJnighty


The veto or the Arcade Dill may be considered
fortunate occurrence Or large proprietor like Mr..
Wilson, who has invested so extensively IN property
thus situated. The passage OF that bill would have
rendered 1t impossible him 10 have disposed OF his
purchase IN small parcels, as the extreme lmproba-
bty OF the road ever being built from the inherent
difficulties in the way OF the successful accomplish
ment OF such scheme would prevent any but the
largest capitalists. who did not look for qnick re-
turns and would not in that event be customers OF
his, from investing III Westminster county property


Now that with this veto there is Chance OF the
problem of quick communication with New YORK
being solved within reasonable time by some prac-
tcabe plan, his enterprise looks hopeful one, ana
there Is chance for Westchester county 10 fulfil It's
legitimate destiny with less delay.


COURT CMEADAaS-TMs DAY.


Srrtt H..f-r,