Mount St. Vincents
Did you know that there was once a convent and school in the northeast corner of Central Park just past the 102 Transverse? Wild, I know! As someone who is in Central Park very often I really love this piece of history.
Mount St. Vincents in 1861 prior to Central Park's completion - Photo: NYPL Digital Archives
In the 1740’s Jacob Dyckman Jr. purchased the land in northern Manhattan west of Fifth Avenue and north of 102nd Street planting an orchard and constructing a few buildings including The Black Horse Tavern. Keep in mind the Grid Plan hadn’t been created yet so this part of the city was very rural and unorganized. Dyckman sold the land to the McGowan family (his in-laws) in 1756.
Looking at Mount St. Vincents from Fifth Avenue where today's Conservatory Garden sits. The East Drive and 102 Transverse are just behind the structures. - Photo: Library of Congress
The McGowan’s would successfully run the Black Horse Tavern until 1845 when they sold the land to the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. This area would become known as McGowan’s Pass, a crucial route during the Revolutionary War. In fact, on Evacuation Day George Washington and his troops marched south through McGowan’s Pass to downtown Manhattan, retaking New York City from the British. Think about that the next time you’re going for a run in the park!
The chapel... hard to believe today that this gorgeous structure stood in the park Notice the stained glass windows all along the perimeter. - Photo: NYPL Digital Archives
The sisters built a campus, the Academy of St. Vincent, which was one of the first institutions in New York City dedicated to the higher education of women. It had a residence for the chaplain, the school, study hall, recreation hall, and a chapel.
In the 1850’s the sisters decided to relocate their school to the Bronx after learning of the city’s plans for Central Park.
This is a view of Mount St. Vincents from inside Central Park along the East Drive. - Photo: NYPL Digital Archives
During the creation of Central Park Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux (its designers) actually lived on site! When the Civil War broke out though the city used the space as a hospital for wounded soldiers.
Mount St. Vincents Hotel (aka McGowans Pass Tavern). If you take a left you'll head down the switchback to Harlem Hill in Central Park, which most of my runner friends know well. - Photo: WikiCommons
After it burned down in 1881, a newly constructed St. Vincent’s Hotel was constructed. Since the new St. Vincent’s Hotel was a playground for the wealthy, specifically drinking liquor and dancing, the Sisters of Charity asked to have the name changed. It was switched to McGowan’s Pass Tavern and was run successfully through the turn of the century.
McGowan's Pass Tavern in 1905 - Photo: WikiCommons
It was torn down in 1915 with plans to create a police precinct there, which never happened.
It took me a while to find this but WOW! - Photo: Chris Baker
While wandering (or running) near the hill today, there's absolutely no sign of the tavern. However, with a bit of exploration, you can uncover remnants of its old foundations!
If you use your imagination you can see the old Mount St. Vincents on top of the hill, it's band of foundation still visible. - Photo: Chris Baker
Photo: Chris Baker
The next time you're in the northern part of Central Park, see if you can find the old foundations too!
