The whole of this region has been largely affected of late years by the opening and construction of Central or Jerome Avenue. This broad avenue, seventy-five feet wide, runs from the Central or Macomb's Dam bridge north, first through the Cromwell's Creek Valley and thence to the Woodlawn Cemetery gate in Yonkers. The old Macomb's Dam road was taken into the lower part of the avenue and the excavations and embankments have practically changed the surface. The avenue is the favorite resort for persons owning fast horses. The commissioners who were charged with the construction of the road thoughtfully planted shade trees at the sides and in a few years' time it will be one of the best shaded avenues in the city.
Returning to Williams' Bridge, we find just at the foot of the hill, on the Bronx, the large estate of Peter Lorillard, which occupies most of the space between the Harlem Railroad and the Bronx, the estate being on both sides of the latter river. Saint John's College comes in at this point and just south of the college grounds comes in the Powell farm. This property was owned in the early part of the century by the Bayard family, and the widow of Mr. Bayard married Reverend William Powell, rector of St. Peters Church at Westchester. In addition to his parochial duties, Dr. Powell kept a boys' school at Fordham, which, in its day was as famous as any of the present modern boarding schools for young men. The old house is still standing, but the property has been cut into lots and Dr. Powell's pupils would have great difficulty in recognizing their former playgrounds. South of the Powell farm, at the junction of three roads at Belmont, is located the Home for j Incurables, on the property formerly owned by Jacob j Lorillard, deceased.