REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT: What Greenwich Offers to Investors in Land (1899)

 Source: Greenwich Graphic. July 22, 1899. Page 1. 

Never before has there been such activity in the development of real estate in Greenwich is now. Those who are skilled readers of the signs of the times say that a big boom in real estate is at hand. And, to judge from appearances, it would seem that they are pretty near the truth. 

Two weeks ago we described Rockridge Farm, showing how these seventy-five acres have been opened up. And no other part of the town has the development of real estate been carried so far as there. But there are several other neighborhoods where a commitment is being made or is contemplated..

North of the Post Road near Chickahominy is the section known as "Belle Aire. This is a large tract of land, and very considerable improvements have been made to render it available for residences. This land is now on the market. It is full of beautiful sites, and when the impending boom strikes us with its full force, they may be expected to sell with quick succession.

South of this district in Chickahominy there is some extremely available land. Nothing has been done so far toward putting it in condition to sell, but we understand the steps will be taken soon in that direction.

It has often been remarked that the property owned by Mr. Smith Mead, on Greenwich Avenue it is, from its location, among the most valuable spots in the town. This is now to be opened up to the public.

The work of development is, we understand, to be superintended by Mr. George Mead, Mr. Nelson B. Mead and Mr. Sheldon E. Minor, the civil engineer. A road will probably be cut through to Railroad avenue and another look connect that with Greenwich avenue at Arch street. The lots ______ into lots of suitable size_____ and will be offered for _____ this work can be accomplished. 

Several weeks ago the ______ the old Sniffen house, on ____ Road, were sold at auction. These lots had been on the market for some time, and, though extremely desireable, had not found purchasers. That they have been recently sold may be regarded as one bit of evidence of the increasing activity in real estate circles here.

During the past few years the property of Mr. W.J. Smith, at Indian Orchard, which is just south of the railroad track and north of Mr. Benedict's place, has been rapidly covered with residences. The lots there are within the reach of people of moderate means, and are still finding a ready market.

Another similar district is that known as meadow Brook Park, owned by H.B. Marshall. This has been cut up into lots for residences, many of which have been sold. A considerable number are now on the market. 

It will be seen that the development of Greenwich for the next few years will be to a great extent the settlement of these districts. The offer opportunities for men of different means. The man with a modest competence can among them find a place within his power to buy. The man of wealth may find spots also to suit his requirements. 

Greenwich real estate is not, however, being developed by districts only. Many men have selected land apart from other dwellings and have built there. These are among the most beautiful places in town. There are too many of them to permit of separate mention now. We have given here only a general outline of the possibilities of real estate development in Greenwich. We expect in the near future to describe at more length some of the localities and places which form a part of the modern growth of the town. 

ROCKRIDGE FARM (1899)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. July 8, 1899. Page 1.

In the earlier days of Greenwich it was said, and justly, too, that amid all the farms of the town, distinguished as they were for fertility and natural beauty, none was superior to, and but few could vie with that known as the Zachias [Zaccheus] Mead farm. Times change and likewise names. The charming strip of land is no longer known as the Zachias  [Zaccheus] Mead Farm. As Rock Ridge Farm it retains those beauties of nature for which it was celebrated, enhanced by the modifying touch of the artist. We have printed in the last year or two numerous pictures and descriptions of those ancient houses, which still stand to remind us of the Greenwich that once was. Not less worthy of description and photographic reproduction in the section now called Rockridge Farm, a section destined to be one of the most popular as it is one of the most beautiful parts of modern Greenwich. 

Rockridge Farm consists of that tongue of land enclosed between the Glenville road and Lake Avenue, at their southern extremities, about 175 acres. The southern and western boundary of the Farm is a road called Brookside Drive, which begins at the residence of Mr. Willis H. Wilcox, on the Post Road, and follows the course of Horseneck Brook north until it meets and unites with the Glenville road. Turning to the west it continues to follow the brook and again turning northward, after a course of perhaps three-quarters of a mile, it enters the Farm at its western gate, at the foot of the steep hill, familiar to all those who have passed over the Glenville road. Brookside Drive, throughout that part of it which passes the Farm and is at the same time a portion of the Glenville road, has been remade by the owner of the Farm, Mr. Nathaniel Witherell, at his own expense. On the right side of the road he has erected a stone wall on his own property, thus enabling the road to be greatly widened. In the broad, smooth highway now extending beside the historic brook it is difficult to recognize the former Glenville road, so frequently complained of for its inconvenient narrowness. The eastern boundary of the Farm, Lake Avenue, is familiar to all residents of Greenwich. 

Between the boundaries lies Rockridge Farm, destined, we believe, to be one of the most popular residence sections of the town. Tucked away as it is amid sloping hills, passing beyond its limits one would hardly suspect its existence. And yet from within there are long vistas of the Sound and typical New England hills to the north and west. The Farm is an ideal spot for a summer residence, being not more than ten minutes drive from the station, and yet possessing all the charms of a truly rural district. 

When Belle Haven was opened some fifteen years ago, it would have been a most sanguine  optimist who would have ventured to say that in so short a space of time another residence district would be a feasible, not to say necessary undertaking. The fact that such has proved the case is a most potent argument of the growth and prosperity of Greenwich, if, indeed, we needed any. It is to meet this requirement that Mr. Witherell has developed Rockridge Farm. The name Farm, rather than Park, was selected not from any idle affection, but because it more truly denotes the nature of the place. Its beauties are natural, not artificial. Whatever the artistic alteration has been made has served the purpose merely of increasing, and not creating, beauty. This quality of the place will doubtless be preserved by the fact that no less than two acres will be sold to anyone one purchaser. By this means an ample lawn is assured  about each residence, and the unpleasant overcrowding, too characteristic of residence parks, is avoided. 

There are three entrances to Rockridge Farm, one at east on Lake Avenue, a second at the south, at the junction of the Glenville Road and Brookside Drive, and the third at the west, where Brookside Drive enters the Farm. At each of these entrances there is a neat triangle of grass, which is to be covered with shrubs and flowering plants. The most beautiful of the entrances and certainly that in the west. There Mr. Witherell has erected an artistic gateway, consisting of two stone pillars. This entrance is shown on our photographic reproduction. It is here that Brookside Drive enters the Farm, and for nearly a quarter of a mile passes through a grove of lofty trees. At the right side of the drive, as you enter, flows Horseneck Brook, whose bed here is very rocky. There are numberless little pools and tiny gushing waterfalls. Between the drive and the brook are many huge stones, among them a large jagged boulder, famous in this neighborhood. 

On the left of the drive, as you go in, there is a sharp slope, also covered with rough rocks, amid which lofty trees rise. This bit of road has been pronounced by some the most beautiful in Greenwich. And whether this extraordinary praise be accorded or not, it must certainly be admitted among the most beautiful. We show in another picture that portion of the road near the large boulder. After emerging from the woods, the drive turns sharply to the east and crosses Horseneck Brook. The bridge is rustic, with railings composed of rough untrimmed pine trunks. A short distance further along the way a lane turns off to the north. This is the well-known Woodchuck Lane, whose beauties are said to have been highly appreciated by romantic couples for many years back. 

Through the southern entrance to the Farm the road passes through open country, running nearly do north, and winding in graceful curves about the foot of round hills. Throughout the length of this drive one has only to look to the south to see the village and Belle Haven, the waters of the Sound, and the blue coast of Long Island. The eastern entrance on Lake Avenue opens onto that part of the Zachias [Zaccheus] Mead property which was earliest developed. The road runs nearly eastward. Less wild in its natural surroundings and than the western drive, it more nearly resembles the New England country road as we know it in its best form. There are several old houses on this road. Among them is the old Zachias  [Zaccheus] Mead farmhouse. Immediately to the west of the farmhouse is a triangle where the three drives meet. This is practically the center of Rockridge Farm.

One only has to imagine three long winding arms extending from a center to comprehend the construction of the Farm. By the system of roads, the most attractive sites have been made available. It is estimated that the total length of the drives throughout the Farm is between two and three miles.

Some idea of the extent of the Farm, and its distance from the village, may be obtained from the fact that you can start at the Lenox House, driving at an easy pace, enter the Farm at the west gate make a tour of the Farm and arrive at the Lenox House in about an hour. Many of our townspeople have already taken advantage of this drive, which is of a convenient length for the late afternoon and early evening. Indeed, if a stranger has but an hour or two in which to drive about town, he cannot do better than to pass over this course. He will go through as much beautiful country as possible in an hour, and besides will get a view of the Sound, part of the village and Belle Haven.

There are at present six houses in the Farm, occupied respectively by Mrs. Cordes, Mr. Charles Lanier, Mr. E.L. Stabler, Mr. F.W. Ritter, Mr. Barrett, the superintendent of the Farm, and Miss Brown. Two houses are in the process of construction. These houses have the double advantage of being in a situation and surroundings, true country dwellings of an ideal sort and, at the same time, having the modern conveniences of less rural park dwellings. The pipes of the Greenwich Water Company pass through the Farm, and thus a supply of the best water is assured. Moreover, the Borough of Greenwich is constructing a sewer, with which the Farm, which is just beyond the borough limits, may connect. The Farm is lighted by the incandescent electric light, which Mr. Witherell has put in at his own expense. In this way those appliances of sanitation and convenience which are most essential are provided.

Rockridge Farm certainly fulfills what we understood it to have been Mr. Witherell's hope and expectation in regard to was not intended to be a place for display of magnificence. It was intended for a convenient and artistically developed location for country homes, a place where one could have at the same time the conveniences of more thickly  districts and the freedom and ____ of the country. Such is undeniably ___district devoted to country homes should be and it is an artistic development along these lines that is to be desired and expected. The signs at each of the entrances show with the place really is. They announce the name "Rockridge Farm" and beneath that the fact that "visitors are welcome." It is really a huge private country place, a place to be devoted to a number of families; a private place, but at the same time a place whose beauties the public is invited to enter and enjoy. As one passes through the grove and hears the gurgling and babbling of the brook, as one looks out over the field of rye and hears the song of the lark and the thrush, it is hard to realize that one is at the same time amid the comfort and convenience of a truly modern civilization. 

It is in such a way as this that we look for the for the further  development of Greenwich. No town along the Sound offers as admirable opportunities for such development. We are  confident that the time is not far distant when Greenwich will merit to the fullest degree the name which it has already earned, "The ideal suburban town."