Col. Astor's Good Road Building.

The New York Times
April 24, 1900

Special to The New York Times.

RHINEBECK, N. Y., April 23.—The work of cutting down the big hill near the station at Rhinecliff of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company, so as to make an easy grade for automobiles between Rhineciff and Rhinebeck, has been completed.  The town of Rhinebeck awarded the contract for the work two weeks ago.  From the new road east to Rheinebeck Village is a low road through a deeply wooded cut known as Hutton Hollow.  To make this highway almost level, Col. John Jacob Astor, whose home, "Ferncliff," is close by, has assumed the expense.  Col. Astor's gift to his native town will be about $3,000.  The highway between Rhinebeck and Rhinecliff, when completed, about May 10, probably will be the best two miles and a half of road work in the State.