When I set out to start a newsletter about research rabbit holes, the sort of deviation from what I was supposed to be doing research on is sort of what I was thinking of. I see a sentence or two that sends me into a totally different direction than I thought I would be heading.
I was reading through The Life and Letters of Washington Irving compiled and annotated by his nephew, Pierre Monroe Irving, when I found the following:
For upwards of a month I have been quartered at Hell Gate, with Mr Astor, and I have not had so quiet and delightful a nest since I have been in America. He has a spacious and well-built house, with a lawn in front of it, and a garden in rear. The lawn sweeps down to the water edge, and full in front of the house is the little strait of Hell Gate, which forms a constantly moving picture… I cannot tell you how sweet & delightful I have found this retreat; pure air, agreeable scenery, a spacious house, profound quiet, and perfect command of my time and space.1
As someone who currently lives in Astoria, Queens, I was somewhat brought up short by the reference to Hell Gate. The train bridge crossing the river right at Astoria Park is also known as the Hell Gate Bridge. My limited understanding, prior to this reading of Washington Irving’s letters, is that John Jacob Astor had nothing to do with Astoria. So I went digging. Where was Hell Gate?
To read more, you can visit the full post on my Substack newsletter: Astoria and John Jacob Astor – by Robin Donovan Bocchiaro