The Chestnuts Hotel in Riverdale (1880-1913).

[Thomas Casey]

This was an email sent to the KHS:

Hello, I am looking for more information about The Chestnuts Hotel in Riverdale ( 1880-1913). Does it still stand? Do photos exist? I recently learned that my great-grandparents lived there in 1907 before moving into their new castle in Washington Heights. I am seeking information for a book that I am writing. Thank you! 

I found a few photographs I took some years ago.  According to the Joseph Paterno will, the Chestnut property was next to the Villa Paterno estate.  I believe the Villa Paterno estate is on the left and Chestnut at 639 w 252 on the right.

[Thomas Casey]

More images – According to the will, Chestnut was next to Springhurst.

 

[Thomas Casey]

[Thomas Casey]

I believe the Joseph Paterno acquired Springhurst and  renamed it Villa Paterno.

[Thomas Casey]

Sorry….I jumped the gun.  Joseph Paterno acquired many properties in Riverdale and did move into Villa Paterno.  The Chestnut property was next to Springhurst that was off Riverdale Ave and W. 250th St that was purchased by the Bang sisters who had a girl’s school on the property.  ( see Northwest Bronx by Bill Twomey & Thomas X. Casey ) Yes…I did write that caption for my postcard image of Miss Bang School.   Lois A. Bangs and Mary B. Whiton established their finishing school for girls in 1905 in the Goodridge Mansion, and the Horace Mann School leased it in 1918. Frederick Goodridge erected the mansion before the Civil War at West 250th Street and East Henry Hudson Parkway. In 1959,
the Conservative Synagogue of Riverdale purchased the property and held services there in the new synagogue designed by architect Percival Goodman.

The smaller building next to Springhurst would be The Chestnut, but I do not have an image of that building.

 

 

 

From my caption I wrote ( Northwest Bronx) –  In 1920, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Paterno, a Manhattan builder, purchased the home of Judge Nash Rockwood at West 252nd Street and Blackstone Avenue for $100,000. The house and gate pillars are still standing. They also acquired the two adjoining acres from the Samuel D. Babcock estate. Mr. Paterno died in 1939 and was entombed in the Paterno Mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery.

[Thomas Casey]

I am off again,  This time I got it !  The Chestnuts was North, behind Christ Church.

[Thomas Casey]

“Part of Ward 24, City of New York,” created by George W. Bromley and Walter S. Bromley, published by G.W. Bromley and Co. in 1893.  The Riverdale Hotel

[Author]

Posts