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FROM THE BRYANT ROOM ARCHIVES
By Myrna Sloam ©March/April 2009
Remembering the Harbor Hill Observation Tower,
by John J. Radigan
Written by John J. Radigan (1869-1949), this article is a follow-up to Stewart Donaldson’s (1907-1994) story in the January/February issue of the Bryant Library Newsletter, which mentioned the old Observation Tower and picnic grounds on Harbor Hill. Public access to this area was closed and the tower torn down in 1898 when the property became part of the estate of Clarence H. and Katherine Duer Mackay. John J. Radigan was born in Mineola, but lived in Roslyn Heights for 70 years. He was a grocery store owner, a railway express agent, as well as a member of many local organizations. Devoted to local history his collection of hand-written notebooks, containing historical research and a large number of personal reminiscences of his boyhood in Roslyn, were donated to the Bryant Library in 2004 by his great-granddaughter, Beverly Royce Aulman. This article is taken from excerpts of Radigan’s notebooks complied by Stewart Donaldson.
Gone are the dancing pavilion and the tower on Harbor Hill. Many happy hours were spent atop this old tower above the tall trees. Next to swimming from the Town Dock at the Landing, no spot attracted the attention of us boys more than the tower at Harbor Hill. It was the first place a visiting friend or cousin would be taken. It is true, it was quite a walk, but in those days a walk of 2 or 3 miles meant nothing, and we had pleasure at our destination. The tower was a familiar sight as it was seen standing two stories high above the treetops. It could be seen and spotted from the ocean, to the south, and from Connecticut to the north, on a good clear day.
There were two approaches to the tower and picnic grounds. The main entrance, starting on the top of the hill on the road to Red Ground, would permit the use of horses and wagons. The grade was up all the way, but fairly easy. The second one started at the old Mansion House [Hotel] in the Village and proceeded up what is now Remsen Street. In the days of the tower, this was only a foot path. After crossing the railroad, it became quite steep and impossible to a horse and wagon. Coming down this path you felt as if you had wings.
Stephen Tabor of Roslyn [1821-1886] was the owner of Harbor Hill woods [and was] a public spirited and generous man. [Tabor served as a U.S. Congressman from 1865-1869 and was the first President of the Roslyn Savings Bank.] Realizing the natural beauty and advantages the hill could be to the public, he erected, at the highest point, an open frame tower. Entrance and use of it was free to the public during the life of the first tower. He also made a picnic grove near the tower, erecting a rustic covered dancing platform and a bandstand on the side. It never became popular for night dancing because of the long dark walk through the woods up to it, it was used though, on occasions.
Needless to say, the kindness of Mr. Tabor, and the tower itself, [was appreciated, but] I saw the work of vandals destroy the seats, rails and the tower day by day, but being kids, we could say nothing. It was not done by the picnic crowds, as they had other amusements, but was done by individuals who came supposedly to enjoy the magnificent view free. These vandals would carve out their initials into the cedar rails with a sharp pen knife. If someone else’s initials were in his way, he would whittle the rail down and start his on the clean spot. He would whittle on the seats, the rails and even the pavilion itself. This was continued over and over again. Finally the tower had to be pulled down, as it was not safe.
A new tower, 84 feet high, costing $1,500 and stronger than the first one, was built about 1886. The first story was enclosed and a watchman, Pat Raerdon, put in charge. Then, a fee of 10 cents was charged, and the pocket knives kept closed. This tower and grounds were maintained until John W. Mackay bought it [the Harbor Hill property in 1898] as a wedding gift for his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence H. Mackay. Then the Tower was taken down and the Mackay mansion built here.
I can recall on May 24, 1883, when John and Will Raerdon, Mike Mahoney and I went up in the tower, it was the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge. On clear days it could be seen for miles. Our ambition was to see if we could see the bridge this day, and we did. It was not a clear-cut view, but it was very good…. Mr. Tabor permitted the working folks to all the fallen and dead wood they wanted from the woods. They were however, forbidden to cut down any live tress. I never knew of this privilege being abused. You could haul out enough [wood] to last you all winter….
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Email: localhistory@bryantlibrary.org