CHAPTER 16 – A Holy Land

In “A Holy Land,” the author reminisces about a cherished region around Grant’s tomb, humorously dubbed the “Holy Land,” which holds profound personal significance and childhood memories. This area, described as a playground of youth and a repository of sweet ties to the past, serves as a backdrop for a narrative intertwining history, personal experiences, and the encroachment of modern development on cherished spaces.

The narrative weaves in the legend of the vanished city of “Is,” drawing parallels to the author’s nostalgic memories that seem distant yet vividly cherished. The old wooden house where the author spent summers is imbued with historic reverence, rumored to have housed Washington. The landscape around the house, described with enchantment, offered views of mountains, rivers, and the Palisades, now obscured by the development of Riverside Drive—a modern alteration disconnecting present from past.

The author laments the transformation of another historic house, once belonging to General Gage and known for introducing the “Queen Claude” plum to America, now disfigured with a mustard paint job and a MANSARD roof, stripping it of its historical essence. Furthermore, recollections of visits to Audubon’s house highlight a connection to history and nature, pondering the fate of Audubon’s cherished in-folios post-owner’s death—a metaphor emphasizing the sentiment of forgotten heritage and neglected memories.

A significant childhood event unfolds with the discovery of an Indian chief’s grave during landscaping. This discovery links the land to its original inhabitants, underscoring a deeper historical narrative than the familial and locally known histories. This moment sparked a fascination with the Native American past and a fearful reverence for the newly sacred site.

Across the river, the recounting of the Burr and Hamilton duel site serves as a stark reminder of America’s contentious history, further enhancing the landscape’s historical tapestry. The author’s dismay towards the modern desecration of these historical and natural sites underlines a broader critique of urban expansion and commercialization’s disregard for preserving natural and historical beauty.

Conclusively, the chapter reflects a deep yearning for a bygone era, where personal and historical narratives are inseparably intertwined with the landscape. Despite modern alterations, the author’s connection to the land and its stories endures, serving as a poignant homage to the past’s enduring influence on personal identity and memory.