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

Inscription.
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. It 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.

Regionally, this

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

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 (about 800 feet away); 69th Regiment Armory (about 800 feet away); Herman Melville (about 800 feet away); Vincent F. Albano Jr. Playground (approx. 0.2 miles away); The New York Life Building (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named New York Life Building (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

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

Chester A. Arthur (1830-1886)<br>Twenty-first president, 1881-85 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2015

2. Chester A. Arthur (1830-1886)
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

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 Association and the New York Life Insurance Company recognized the historic significance of the house by placing a bronze plaque on the building.

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

<i>Home of Chester A. Arthur, 123 Lexington Avenue, New York City</i> image. Click for more information.

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.

Chester Alan Arthur house image. Click for full size.

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.

President Arthur Taking the Oath at His Private Residence. image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

5. President Arthur Taking the Oath at His Private Residence.

This illustration by J. W. Alexander appeared in Harper's Weekly, October 1, 1881, on Page 660.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2016, by Scott Sather of Salem, Oregon. This page has been viewed 1,179 times since then and 53 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. 5. submitted on December 31, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.