6. Inwood Hill Park Was Once Home to a Community of Wealthy Families

The last remnant of the Seward family estate, the entrance arch, still exists hidden in plain sight along Broadway

Before Inwood Hill Park was transformed into parkland, the site was occupied by a variety of institutions and country homes. In the 1800’s, there was a charity house for women, an orphanage, and a free public library, which would later become the Dyckman Institute. It was also occupied by wealthy families who lived in country retreats. Some notable names include the Straus family. Isidor Straus was the co-owner of Macy’s before he and his wife Ida lost their lives on the RMS Titanic. Moreover, the Lords of the Lord & Taylor owned two mansions within the park, which where later destroyed by a fire.

The last remnant of the Seward family estate, the entrance arch, still exists hidden in plain sight along Broadway.