Chester Alan Arthur, 21st President of the US, is something of a hero of mine. He lived at 123 Lexington Avenue, which I now understand has a takeout Chinese restaurant in the bottom floor (is that criminal, or what?).
Is anyone near there that can snap a picture of the building and send it to me? I’d appreciate it greatly.
What is the cross street?
Vernon & Irene Castle owned a townhouse at 120 Lexington Avenue, which is around 29th Street, and 123 should be on the same block. I could snap a photo, but—being lo-tech—I’d have no way of e’ing it or posting it . . .
I’ll try to drop by that area this weekend and I’ll shoot some digital photos. My camera is not a very hi-res but it should be suitable.
Who are Vernon and Irene Castle? Is the odd side or the even side the more fashionable side of the street?
Any help would be appreciated. Hi-tech, lo-tech, no-tech. Email or snail mail is equally as good.
Thanks for the assistance.
“I may be President of the United States, but my private life is my own damn busines.”
Have a pint in Rocky Sullivans for me (129 Lex) while you’re at it.
I thought Chester Alan Arthur was a Vermonter.
He was born in (or near) Fairfield, VT, but he went to college, practiced law, and made his professional life in New York. He died in 1886 at his home on Lexington Avenue.
Vernon & Irene Castle may be my next book . . .
Sincere thanks to Zebra, who emailed me some great photos of the townhouse and environs.
I don’t know, maybe I’m overly sentimental, but it seems sort of sad that the home of a President of the United States now has an international food store on the first floor. Granted, CAA isn’t a well-known President and didn’t accomplish a whole hell of a lot during his tenure (vetoed a harbors and rivers bill that was full of pork, vetoed a bill to restrict Chinese immigration, pushed for passage of legislation that created the modern Navy, and pushed for passage of the bill that created the Civil Service), but he was still President and that stands for something.
Now, if I can just come up with $1,000 to buy his autograph…
Hey, any of you dopers have a couple bucks you can spare? I figure it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Oh, I love Rocky Sullivans! I spent four days in NYC visiting a friend a few years ago, and we ended up there at least briefly every day I was in town. (My friend lived close by.)
Didn’t realize I was next to Chet Arthur’s pad…
Chet was rumored to have been born a bit over the Canadian border, making him disqualifed for the Presidency. Not sure if this rumor’s been debunked definitively, but it had legs for a while. Anyone have better info than I?
It has been debunked definitively, I’ll try and find a cite.
I have some friends whose band plays at Rocky Sullivan’s on Sunday nights. I’ll have to check out 123 Lex next time I go see them.