Bowman John Mcentee (1 results)

Oblong 4to. 29 linen-backed silver gelatin photos, sized 7.75 x 9.75 in., w/ negative numbers & dates at lower fore-edge of image w/in the negative, a few stamped for the George A. Fuller Co. Surveying Dept. for Supt. Barber in pencil on verso. Recent black cloth post-binder, brass screw posts, stamping on front cover, NF collection of photos. This revealing set of original photographs provide essential details of the stages of construction for the extraordinary Westchester-Biltmore Country Club. Bowman sought to create the quintessential 1920's sportsman's oasis easily reached by automobile or train from Manhattan, which along with mechanics, maids, servers, and gardeners eventually featured 45 holes of golf, three polo fields, bridle path, horse racing track, tennis courts, and a casino. The images open with finishing the footings and foundation in Dec., 1920, with structural steel quickly arising by Dec. 30, 1920. The photos show the massive winged structure taking shape, steel i-beams set in place, and stone and masonry facade installed in stages through August, 1921. As shown in many of these photos the project moved quickly enough that the roof had been mostly completed, and the facade finished by Jan., 1922 with a series showing snow-covered parking lot, and scaffolds still carrying material up the side, as the wings were finished, staircases enclosed, so that by April, 1922 the main construction has been completed, except for some work in the portico, front entrance, and finishing touches of masonry and architectural details. Fitzgerald's Gatsby would have felt more than at home with the finished Club, amidst the saltwater pool, man-made lagoon, 800 bathhouses, and dance floor with the total build cost for the project exceedingly $ 6 million in 1922 or $ 100 million currently. Designed by both the Biltmore Co. and George A. Fuller Co's favorite architects Warren (1864-1943) & Wetmore (1866-1941), who were also known for the Ritz-Carlton, Biltmore, Commodore & Ambadssador Hotels, they were also the preferred architect's for Vanderbilt's New York Central RR. No copies of these photos either in the Warren & Webmore Architectural Photographs & Records, 1889-1938, Columbia University, Avery Library, or listed in Warren & Wetmore, Philadelphia Architects and Buildings, Athaenaeum, Uof Penn, Philadelphia Hist. Comm., or PA Historical & Museum Comm. See: Westchester Country Club, History, John McEntee Bowman, Founder (2018).