More Research Regarding the 19th Century Grand View Hotel at Pelham Bridge

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The Grand View Hotel once was located near the northeasterly end of the Pelham Bridge overlooking Eastchester Bay.  Although there is some confusion today regarding exactly where the hotel stood, according to an account published in 1882:  "the yellow roadhouse . . . rests on piles over the Pelham river at the north end of Pelham bridge."  POLITICS LEADS TO MURDER -- John Elliott Shoots John Hiney in the Pelham Bridge Hotel, The World [NY, NY], Nov. 8, 1892, Vol. XXXIII, No. 11403, p. 1, cols. 6-8.

David Blizzard was the proprietor of the Grand View Hotel during most of the 1870s.  Known for many years, informally, as "Blizzard's," the hotel was extremely popular with excursionists and fishermen.  During the early 1880s, a man named John Elliott (also known as Johnny and Jack) became the proprietor of the hotel.  

I have written before about the Grand View Hotel at Pelham Bridge.  See, e.g.:

Thu., Jan. 21, 2016:  Research Regarding David Blizzard's 19th Century Grand View Hotel at Pelham Bridge.  

 Fri., Jul. 29, 2016:  Shooting Death at the Grand View Hotel at Pelham Bridge in 1892.

Detail from Engraving Published in 1884 Showing Pelham

Bridge.  Structures in the Background Likely Include

Blizzard's Grand View Hotel, But This Is Not Known With

Certainty. Source: "PELHAM PARK, NEW YORK. -- DRAWN

BY CHARLES GRAHAM.", Harper's Weekly, Vol. XXVIII, No.

1442, 1884, pp. 514 & 521.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Clearly the Grand View Hotel was a grand and beautiful location that was the scene of many grand and lavish parties.  For example, a party held at the hotel on September 26, 1872 and hosted by Griffith Thomas was among "the most brilliant . . . ever witnessed in Westchester County."  According to one account:   "140 variegated lanterns illuminated the arched platform of the hotel, on which the guests assembled, and while the New Rochelle Brass Band filled the air with delightful music, magnificent fireworks were set off in front of the balcony, where his lovely wife and her lady friends were seated.  The supper was delicious, the table was splendidly arranged and elegantly decorated with choice flowers."  (See complete account quoted in full below.)

In 1890, the Park Board of New York City announced that although they would raze a number of structures in Pelham Bay Park and other city parks, they planned to spare the Grand View Hotel at Pelham Bridge.  According to one report, the Board believed "[m]any of the buildings are badly cared for, and [it was] recommended the removal of many of them and an increase in the rental of those that are to remain.  The latter include the Grand View Hotel at the northerly end of the Pelham Bridge. . ."  (See complete account quoted in full below.)

In 1899, proprietorship of the Grand View Hotel passed to Fritz Rumpf, who succeeded John Elliott.  Rumpf took opened his hotel on April 1, 1899.  It was described at the time as a "new hotel and summer resort at Pelham Bridge . . . [that] is one of the best equipped hotels along the shore road and was formerly conducted by 'Jack' Elliott."  (See complete account quoted in full below.) 

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Below is the text of various articles that form the research documented in today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"ON LAST THURSDAY EVENING A SUMPTUOUS Entertainment was given by Mr. Griffith Thomas, at the Grand View Hotel, Pelham Bridge, kept by Blizzard & Mahony, and on this occasion, as on all others, his generosity was boundless, and the whole affair was the most brilliant we ever witnessed in Westchester county; 140 variegated lanterns illuminated the arched platform of the hotel, on which the guests assembled, and while the New Rochelle Brass Band filled the air with delightful music, magnificent fireworks were set off in front of the balcony, where his lovely wife and her lady friends were seated.  The supper was delicious, the table was splendidly arranged and elegantly decorated with choice flowers.  But its chief ornament ws Mrs. Thomas, in her surpassing beauty, void of that haughty consciousness that is so painfully perceptible in Nature's favorites, reminding us of Raphael's Madonna.  Mr. Thomas is a very wealthy gentleman, and, being one of Nature's noblemen, the wealth could not have fallen into better hands.  His sole happiness appears to be centred in making others happy, and his kind deeds will be remembered long after he has joined his loved ones, gone before him to a happier land than this."

Source:  [Untitled "Special Notice" Advertisement], N.Y. Herald, Oct. 2, 1872, No. 13191, p. 1, col. 2 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).   

"WEST CHESTER. . . 

The Grand View Hotel at the bridge, under the management of John Elliott, appears to be popular and prosperous.  It appears to be a favorite resort for politicians of New York, and last week was favored with a visit from the Park Commissioners, and several of the Aldermen, while Alderman Duffy and a large party of friends engaged the attention of the host another day.  On Wednesday another large party in a six horse stage, visited the house, and went away late in the day, after having had a very pleasant time, greatly pleased and promising another visit."

Source:  WEST CHESTER, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jun. 9, 1883, Vol. XXIV, No. 11, p. 2, cols. 3-4.  



"BUILDINGS IN THE NEW PARKS.

President Gallup made a report at yesterday's meeting of the Park Board on the various buildings in the new parks.  It set forth that the annual income of the department for rentals of the buildings is $12,000, about one-half the amount expended in keeping the roads in repair.  Many of the buildings are badly cared for, and he recommended the removal of many of them and an increase in the rental of those that are to remain.  

The latter include the Grand View Hotel at the northerly end of the Pelham Bridge, the Schuyler house, Steers's house, Jones's place, and Marshall's place in Pelham Park, the Old Country Club house at Bartow Station, stone houses on Hunter's and Twin Islands, the Lorillard mansion in Bronx Park, and the Van Cortlandt mansion, Disbrow house, and Tremper house in Van Cortlandt Park.  No action was taken on the report."

Source:  BUILDINGS IN THE NEW PARKS, N.Y. Times, Jul. 17, 1890, p. 3, col. 4 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"--Fritz Rumpf, formerly proprietor of Music Hall, will open his new hotel and summer resort at Pelham Bridge to-day.  The Pelham Bridge Hotel is one of the best equipped hotels along the shore road and was formerly conducted by 'Jack' Elliott."

Source:  [Untitled], The New Rochelle Pioneer, Apr. 1, 1899, p. 5, col. 4.  

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