The Walther Luttgen House - 51 West 75th Street

In 1891 prolific developer James T. Hall began construction of four brownstone-fronted homes on the north side of West 75th Street, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.  Designed by George H. Budlong, they were a creative blend of Renaissance Revival and Romanesque Revival architecture.

No. 51 stands out among the row because of its intact condition and later-added mansard.

The homes were completed in 1891.  Four stories tall above English basements, their 23-foot width and proximity to the park reflected the comfortable financial status of their intended owners.  No. 51, overall, featured the elements of the Renaissance Revival style, but it owed its rough-cut brownstone face to Romanesque Revival.  A robust box stoop led the the double-doored entrance, framed in Renaissance-inspired pilasters.  The handsome three-sided oriel at the second floor, supported by a swagged bracket, provided a balcony to the third floor.  Above it all, originally, a modest modillioned pressed metal cornice matched those of its neighbors.

A delicate carved ribbon goes nearly unnoticed within the rough brownstone blocks.

When the original owner of the house lost it in foreclosure in 1894, it was purchased by Walther (sometimes anglicized as Walter) Luttgen for $34,500--just over $1 million today.   Born in Germany in 1839, he was a partner with August Belmont in the banking firm August Belmont & Company.  Luttgen and his wife, the former Amelia Victoria Bremeyer, had two daughters, Florence Amelia, born in 1868, and Gertrude Marion, born in 1880.

Walther Luttgen - Columbia Yacht Club, 1917

Walter was active in the yachting community and was a member of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club and the Columbia Yacht Club.  When his yacht, the Linta, was launched in July 1892, The Evening World mentioned "The Linta is 85 feet long, handsomely fitted up and one of the largest steam yachts ever built here."

Fashionable New Yorkers filed into the 75th Street house on January 39, 1901 for Gertrude's wedding reception following she her marriage to Oliver Hildreth Keep, Jr. in All Angels' Church.  (Sadly, Gertrude died seven years later at the age of 28.)

Luttgen's business interests went beyond banking.  In January 1900 he and August Belmont had purchased an entire block of Harlem real estate; and he was a director of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, the Rapid Transit Construction Company, the Consolidated Railway Electric Lighting and Equipment Company, and the Transatlantic Trust Company.  

In March 1902 the Luttgens sold No. 51 to Rev. John Henry Watson and his wife, the former Susan Matilda Hoffman.  The couple had two sons, Henry and Eugene, and a daughter, Mary Elmendorf, all of whom were grown by now.  Mary and Eugene, both unmarried, moved into the house with their parents.

Born in 1845 to the Boston minister Rev. John Lee Watson, Watson had an impressive background and traced his ancestors to the Mayflower.  Upon graduating from the Berkeley Divinity School in Middleton, Connecticut, he had immediately become assistant rector at the fashionable Trinity Chapel in Manhattan.  He then moved on to churches in Stamford, Philadelphia, Hartford and New Rochelle.  Returning to New York City, he gave up parish work and devoted himself to the missions in the impoverished areas.

Watson had also provided his services as the chaplain of the Army and Navy Aid Association.  The group provided help to veterans, many of whom had served in the recent Spanish-American War.  In the minutes of a meeting opened by Watson on May 18, 1900, it was noted “Many pathetic letters have been received, the most of them containing requests for work.”

Susan also came from a religious family.  Her father was Rev. Eugene Augustus Hoffman, Dean of the General Theological Seminary.  Newspapers called him "the richest clergyman in the world."  Upon his death on June 17, 1902, three months after the Watsons purchased No. 51, he died leaving an estate of just under $10 million.  It was divided mainly between his widow and four children.  

In March 1904 the Watsons made extension renovations to the 75th Street house.  They hired the well-known architectural firm of John B. Snook & Son to do the equivalent of $87,000 today in work that included adding a mansard level, rearranging the interior walls and closets, and install new windows.  A hefty cornice visually capable of upholding the new level was installed at the time.

The Watson summer estate was Ondawa on Little Moose Lake in Old Forge, New York.  Susan involved herself in social circles there and was a member of the Adirondack League Club.

Essentially retired, Watson filled his time with writing.  In 1911 he published The History of Fra Paolo Sarpi, a biography of the 18th century priest who was openly critical of the Catholic Church.

Watson suffered a fatal heart attack in the 75th Street house on October 31, 1913 at the age of 68.  His funeral was held in Trinity Chapel.  Susan continued to live in the house with Mary and Eugene and to summer at Ondawa.  She busied herself with charities such as the Fifth Avenue Hospital and the Hospital Musical Association.

Susan's mother, Mary C. Hoffman, died in 1914.  Given her massive estate and the individual wealth of her children, it is perhaps a bit surprising that a court battle broke out over jewelry.  Susan's siblings protested when the executors omitted two items from the estate inventory--a pearl necklace and a ruby ring valued at $12,500 (just under $325,000 today).  The Sun reported on July 19 "Mrs. Watson insisted that her mother, who had other jewelry worth $38,605, gave to her the necklace and ruby ring long before death."

The suit against Susan was not the only contention.  Mary's grandchildren separately sued because she had bequeathed her "large retinue of servants" four months salary.  Commenting on that suit, the judge said "It certainly is not the custom among affluent families to turn servants of dead people summarily out of doors."

Susan and Mary traveled together.  On October 23, 1921, for instance, The New York Herald reported that they were pausing at the Maplewood Hotel in Pittsfield, near Lenox, Massachusetts.

Perhaps assuming that Mary would stay forever single, society may have been surprised when Susan announced her engagement to the Rev. Jackson H. Randolph Ray of Dallas, Texas on April 17, 1922.   The wedding took place on July 18 in fashionable St. Thomas's Church on Fifth Avenue.   Ray was Dean of St. Matthew's Cathedral in Dallas.  Two days prior to the ceremony The New York Herald predicted "Late in the season as it is, there will be many notable members of old New York society present."

Two years later, on August 28, 1926, The Sun reported that Susan had sold No. 51 to the Hephzibah House Bible Training School and Home of Rest.  The institution paid $32,000 for the property, or about $469,000 in today's money.

The organization was founded in 1893 as the Hephzibah House and Training School for Christian Workers, a Bible training school for young women.  Its name was changed in 1897 when it began operating a lodging house for missionary workers passing through New York, as well.  

A 1939 renovation resulted in a kitchen and laundry in the basement, a reception room and library on the first floor, and furnished rooms on the floors above.

The Hephzabah House Bible Training School and Home of Rest remains in the Luttgen house, its website noting "It continues to  serve as a guest house for those serving in ministry to be able to visit New York City for meetings, vacation or rest to stay in Manhattan at affordable rates."

photographs by the author

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The Dr William Travis Gibb House - 42 West 75th Street

Developer James T. Hall completed an ambitious row of ten upscale residences on West 75th Street, between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West in 1890.  That he targeted well-to-do buyers was evidenced in the cutting edge amenities like the complex indoor plumbing featured in a full page article in The Engineering and Building Record on August 30, 1890.  It described how each house had a copper-lined tank fitted into a "special alcove" in the attic, filled by pumps in the rear extension.  The new homeowners would enjoy hot and cold running water, flush toilets, and state of the art laundry facilities.

The article ended by noting that "George H. Budlong...was the architect of the houses."  No longer a household name, Budlong had designed the string of homes in--basically--the Romanesque Revival style.  While some designs were repeated, he made no attempt at a balanced pattern and mixed them seemingly indiscriminately.

No. 42 was faced in rough-cut stone which added to the medieval flavor of the style.  A tall stone stoop led to the arched double-doored entrance.  Budlong gave a nod to the Queen Anne movement by filling its transom and that of the wide parlor window with colorful stained glass.

A rounded bay filled the second floor.  It was ornamented with Romanesque details and a decorative rope molding.  Unlike the other flat-topped bays along the row, this one wears a stone hood, seemingly original.  The arched openings of the third floor appeared larger by Longbud's use of beefy stone voissoirs.  Above the group of three fourth floor windows, a tiny, stone-framed opening pierced the attic gable.

The diminutive attic window is a delightful, nearly tongue-in-cheek, detail.

The house became home to the Joseph Carmoreau Hatie family.  Hatie was secretary of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company and he and his wife, the former Mary G. Heyl, had two children, Lillian Stafford and Joseph, Jr.   Hatie was descended from what one newspaper termed "an old New York family." 

Mary's family were decidedly military.  Her brothers were Dr. Theodore C. Heyl, a retired surgeon of the United States Navy (whose son, Ashton, by now was an assistant surgeon in the Army), Army Captain Charles H. Heyl, and Colonel Edward M. Heyl, Inspector-General of the Army.  

Like all well-to-do families, the Haties escaped the city's heat at fashionable watering holes each summer.  But they also took a break from its frigid cold, as well.  On February 1, 1894 the Sacramento, California newspaper The Record-Union, noted that "Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Hatie, Miss Hatie, [and] Master J. C. Hatie, Jr." had arrived at the Golden Eagle Hotel.

Among the training necessary for teen-aged children of society to function easily in their upcoming whirl of debutante entertainments, weddings and other affairs was dancing.  Dance classes were organized by socialites to handle that issue.  On February 7, 1893 The World reported "Mrs. J. Carmoreau Hati [sic] of No. 42 West Seventy-fifth street gave a luncheon yesterday to the patronesses of the Wednesday evening dancing class."  It was a decidedly French-themed event.  "This was a mignonette luncheon and the flowers and embroidered table drapery carried out in detail the green and white effect."

Late in 1895 the Haties had house guests, Navy Lieutenant William Stetson Hogg and his wife, the former Clara W. Heyl.  Clara was the Mary's niece, the daughter of Theodore C. Heyl.  Her marriage to the Navy man had added to the military tradition of the Heyl family.  

On December 17 The Press reported "Miss Hatie, daughter of Mrs. J. C. Hatie of No. 42 West Seventy-fifth street, will give a dance this evening at her mother's home in honor of Mrs. William Stetson Hogg."

In 1896 the Haties again took a February trip.  The New York Press reported that they "leave town on Friday evening for the Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans.  They will also spend some time in St. Augustine, Fla.  They will return in three weeks."

The family returned just in time for another house guest--Theodore C. Heyl.  The visit ended tragically.  On March 23, 1896 The Record-Union reported "Dr. Theodore C. Heyl, a surgeon (retired) in the United States navy, died suddenly last night at the home of his brother-in-law, J. C. Hatie, 42 West Seventy-fifth street.  Death was due to heart disease."

The military tradition of the family continued when Lillian's engagement to Lieutenant Edmund Luther Butts of the United States Army was announced on February 19, 1899.  The wedding was held in the house on December 1.

And Joseph, Jr. would eventually go on to a distinguished military career, as well.  By the time of his marriage in 1921 he had achieved the rank of major in the Army and was recognized for his performance during World War I.

But long before that the Haties had left West 75th Street.  No. 42  was sold in February 1900 to Thomas J. Brady and his wife, the former Emeline Wolfe.  The 61-year old Brady had a long and distinguished career by now.  He served in the Civil War and was promoted to brevet brigadier general just before its end.  He had served as consul to St. Thomas and was appointed by Ulysses S. Grant as second assistant Postmaster General in 1876.   By now he held the post of Building Commissioner and was president of the Board of Buildings.

Before the end of the month the couple held their first entertainment.  A newspaper reported "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Brady gave a reception at their new residence, No. 42 West Seventy-fifth street, on Wednesday last."  The event was in celebration of their wedding anniversary and "also as a 'house warming.'  An orchestra provided music for dancing, and there was vocal music by Miss Mulligan and Miss McCormick."

Thomas Jefferson Brady -- from the collection of the Minnestrista Heritage Collection

On April 1, just two weeks after moving in, Brady retired.  At 6:00 on the evening of May 1 the doorbell rang.  On the stoop stood "a large delegation of the [Building Department] attaches."  The unexpected group pushed in, bringing with them "a rich silver tea service," as described by the Record & Guide.

"The service was spread upon a table in the parlor by several of the inspectors, and one of their number asked Mr. Brady to accept it as a token of the regard which the entire department staff bore toward their former chief."  In fact, more than 300 employees had contributed to the pricey gift.  Made by the Gorham Mfg. Co., it included a "large tray, with a tea kettle, coffee and tea pots, sugar bowl, cream pitcher and waste bowl."  Each of the pieces was decorated with Brady's monogram and the tray was inscribed with presentation details.

On February 28, 1904 the New York Herald reported that the Bradys had celebrated their 20th anniversary with a reception.  "The house was tastefully decorated.  One of the pleasant incidents of the evening was an address given by the Rev. Charles McCready, D. D. who married Mr. and Mrs. Brady twenty years ago."  It was perhaps the last entertainment by the Bradys.  Thomas Jefferson Brady died two months later on April 22.

No. 42 was sold in 1906, becoming the home of Dr. William Travis Gibb and his family.  He was born in 1862 and since 1891 had been examining physician for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.  He was also an instructor in women's diseases at New York University from 1889 to 1899; and was appointed visiting surgeon at the Workhouse and at the City, Home and Pension Hospitals.

Gibb had married Alice Elizabeth Stearns on May 14, 1896.  The couple had four children, Alice Stearns, John Alexander, William Travis, Jr. and Frances.  Little Frances was just one year old when they moved in.  Living with the family was Dr. Gibb's widowed mother, Melissa Jane Huntington.  The family's summer estate, Belle Terre, was in Port Jefferson, Long Island.

Most important was Gibb's work in children's and women's diseases; both of which received little attention.  He was among the first to recognize and speak out against sexual assault on children.  In 1894 he complained that doctors routinely diagnosed vaginal discharges in little girls as vaginitis--resulting in child predators going unreported.   When girls became infected with diseases like gonorrhea, their doctors were reticent to accept there had been sexual contact.  They developed the term "innocent" infection, attributing it to bad sanitation.  Gibb lobbied for the investigation into incest in such cases.

Dr William Travis Gibb, from Empire State Notables, 1914 (copyright expired)

Gibb was honored on February 25, 1909 when the Gibb Operating Pavilion on Blackwell's Island was dedicated.  The state of the art facility included x-ray rooms, laboratories and a sterilizing room.

Melissa Jane Huntington died in the 75th Street house on November 18, 1909.  Her funeral was held here three days later.

Dr. Gibb continued to advocate for women and children.  In February, 1910 a three-year-old boy was found wandering on Fulton Street and Broadway.  He was able to tell police that his name was Harry Hanley and that his father had left him and his six-year-old brother, Claude, on the streets several days earlier.  He did not know where Claude was.

Police tracked down the father, 32-year-old Frederick Hanley in Bayonne, New Jersey. The boys were from a previous marriage.  Hanley had married his current wife, Jennie, five months earlier.  He explained to the authorities that his "wages were small and that in addition his wife and he himself were frequently ill."  The New-York Tribune reported that both were arrested.

Dr. Gibb was called in to examine little Harry.  He "found marks on the boy's back, believed to have been inflicted with a strap, and his left eye is discolored," reported the Tribune.  "The police and agents of the [Children's Society] are now looking for Claude."

By the 1920's the Gibb children were growing up.  Newspaper articles describing the debutante fetes of the 1924-1925 mentioned that Frances attended several of the dances and receptions.  

Alice Stearns Gibb died in 1924, the year Frances was graduated from the Spence School and Alice from the Cornell Medical College.  That winter season should have been festive, with France's introduction to society.  Her sister was determined that Frances would have her coming-out; and on April 14, 1925--noticeably late in the season and following the family's period of mourning--The New York Times reported "Miss Alice Gibb, daughter of Dr. W. Travis Gibb of 42 West Seventy-fifth Street, gave a luncheon yesterday at Pierre's to introduce her sister, Miss Frances Gibb.  A reception was held in advance of the luncheon."

Now a doctor, Alice followed closely in her father's footsteps.  She would go on to be on the staff of Elizabeth General Hospital and to sit on the board of the Family and Children's Society and the Visiting Nurse Association of Elizabeth.  William, Jr., too, pursued a medical career.  In 1925 he was enrolled in Cornell Medical School.   

That summer Dr. William Gibb, his daughters and John Alexander went abroad.  It would be the last trip they took together as a family.  Five days before departing Dr. Gibb had announced the engagement of Alice to Dr. Henri Ernest Abel.  Alice and Henri had been classmates at Cornell Medical College.   A progressive female, Alice continued to use her maiden name following the wedding.

Frances's engagement to John Howard Neely, Jr. was announced on December 12, 1926.  The wedding took place in the 75th Street house on May 17, 1927.  The New York Times remarked "Spring flowers in shades of orchid and yellow combined with palms and ferns decorated the house."

By the time William, Jr. was married to Margaret B. Kies on October 4, 1930 he had become an attending physician at the Knickerbocker Hospital and a member of the staff of St. Luke's Hospital's outpatient unit.  His brother, John, served as his best man.

After a career spanning 53 years, Dr. William Travis Gibb died on July 6, 1939.  He was 76 years old. 

The following year, on October 3, the New York Sun reported that the Gibb estate had sold No. 42 to "a realty corporation."  Within the year a renovation resulted in the stoop being removed and the entrance lowered to the basement level.  There were now two apartments there, three on the parlor floor, two apartments and two furnished rooms on the second floor, and one apartment and three furnished rooms each on the upper floors.

The configuration remained, with some tweaking, until 1985 when another renovation created two apartments each on the lower three floors and a duplex above.  The removal of the stoop and the stained glass transoms are more than regrettable.  More than a century of grime gives the sadly abused structure a charred appearance, disguising the fascinating history of the families who once lived here.

photographs by the author