Rose Hill in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Chester Alan Arthur
Photographed By Scott Sather, October 24, 2009
1. Chester Alan Arthur (no real title) Marker
Here on September 20, 1881, at 2:15 A.M., Chester Alan Arthur took his oath of office as 21st president of the United States upon the death of president James A. Garfield, killed by a disgruntled office seeker. Garfield's death stirred nationwide civil service reform and on January 16, 1883, president Arthur signed the U.S. Civil Service Act ending the spoils system and creating the American Civil Service.
This house was later occupied by publisher William Randolph Hearst.
Erected 1981 by Native New Yorkers Historical Assn.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #21 Chester A. Arthur series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 20, 1881.
Location. 40° 44.567′ N, 73° 58.917′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Rose Hill. Marker is on Lexington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 123 Lexington Avenue, New York NY 10016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Right Reverend Monsignor William A. Courtney, P.R. (within shouting distance of this marker); First Moravian Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Armory Art Show
this page online
More about this marker. Bronze plaque is mounted within a glass case at street level, next to residential entrance. Kalustyan's Indian grocery occupies 1st floor of building.
Regarding Chester Alan Arthur. Chester Arthur died at this location, November 18, 1886. Subsequent owners made many changes to the Lexington Avenue house after Arthur’s death. They moved the original main entrance on the first floor down to what had been the basement level, converted the first two floors into commercial space, and divided the upper floors into apartments. The front elevation has been stripped down to bare brick. On January 16, 1964, the 81st anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Civil Service Act by President Arthur, the Native New Yorkers Historical
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2015
2. Chester A. Arthur (1830-1886)
Twenty-first president, 1881-85
Twenty-first president, 1881-85
This 1881 portrait of Chester Arthur by Ole Peter Hansen Balling hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
"This head-and-shoulders portrait can only hint at the fashionable figure that Arthur cut. With his muttonchop whiskers ‘trimmed to the perfection point’ and his suits made of only the finest fabrics, he invariably looked like the very epitome of the well-bred Victorian gentleman.” — National Portrait Gallery
"This head-and-shoulders portrait can only hint at the fashionable figure that Arthur cut. With his muttonchop whiskers ‘trimmed to the perfection point’ and his suits made of only the finest fabrics, he invariably looked like the very epitome of the well-bred Victorian gentleman.”
Also see . . . The Chester A. Arthur House -- 123 Lexington Avenue. "Daytonian in Manhattan" entry. (Submitted on April 6, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional keywords. presidential oath of office
Postcard by Raphael Tuck and Sons, circa 1907
3. Home of Chester A. Arthur, 123 Lexington Avenue, New York City
National Park Service website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, 2010
4. Chester Alan Arthur house
Modern-day 123 Lexington Avenue.
The marker is to the right of the upper floors entrance.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2016, by Scott Sather of Salem, Oregon. This page has been viewed 625 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on November 1, 2016, by Scott Sather of Salem, Oregon. Photos: 1. submitted on October 31, 2016, by Scott Sather of Salem, Oregon. 2. submitted on November 2, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3. submitted on November 3, 2016. 4. submitted on January 16, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
