The clashing of great minds took a much different form in the political arenas of early 19th-Century America than they do now, when having a great mind is no prerequisite to enter such arenas. And conflict resolution by duel is no longer accepted. Two hundred and twelve years ago, on July 11, 1804, the most famous duel in U.S. history was fought, between Aaron Burr, the third Vice President of the United States,and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton. The grounds are still remembered, perhaps more vividly than ever, thanks, in part, to the enormous success of the Broadway musical, “Hamilton.”
New and old media organizations haveincreasingly paid homage to Hamilton’s legacy. Ron Chernow, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and author of the biography from which the musical is based is all over the airwaves, as is Lin Manual Miranda, creator of the Tony award-winning and Pulitzer-Prize winning Broadway musical. It was one of only nine musicals ever to win the Pulitzer.NJTV News recently published a short three-part series about historic sites in Weehawken, Morristown, and Paterson, where anyone interested Hamiltonian history should visit. Attendance at all these historic sites have jumped, but it’s the monument at the duel site that attracts the most attention, marking a sensational end to a great American life. Hamilton died on July 12, 1804, one day after the duel, in the home of his good friend William Bayard Jr, who waited hopefully for Hamilton’s safe return at a dock on the New York side. Bayard’s home now stands at 80-82 Jane Streetin Greenwich Village. Hamilton was buried in the Trinity Churchyard Cemetery downtown.
Piqued interest
Every year, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner attends the city’s annual Celebrate Hamilton event on July 11. “Each year it gets bigger and bigger,” he said. “The play has renewed interest in the area.” That renewed interest, Turner believes, encourages historical learning. “Hamilton is a great historical figure, and we often forget because most Americans aren’t dedicated students of history,” he said.“It’s nice to have something that comes along that reminds us of the great history we have.”
Lauren Sherman, Chair of the Weehawken Historical Commission, discussed the increased interest in the area’s history. “I’ve heard of people taking selfies at the monument and some girls crying,” Sherman said. “Because of the musical, he’s now cool.”
One group of young people with long selfie sticks posing in front of the monument were happy to share their thoughts on Hamilton’s legacy. “He’s the father of modern banking,” said Jim Furman, who is from Manhattan, but is visiting friends in Union City. “He’s legend.”Hamilton is known as “the father of modern banking” because his most impactful contribution to this country was, arguably, the establishment of a central bank, which he believed to be necessary to establish stable national credit, and promote financial business in the country. He was like the responsible parent who co-signs his daughter’s credit card to ensure she goes out into the real world with good credit.
Amy Zhang, also from Manhattan, talked about her admiration for Lin Manuel Miranda. “He’s genius,” she said.“I haven’t seen the play, but the soundtrack is amazing, and I love his character. It’s surreal to be standing here, at this rock where Hamilton laid his head down, shot.” According to Sherman, the tidbit about Hamilton’s head was not added until the memorial was moved to the top of the ridge overlooking the Hudson,when train tracks were constructed in the late 1850s.
The original memorial was built in 1806 at a cost of $750 and consisted of various images along with a rock and a plaque. “The memorial, instead of honoring the men, it started to draw more duelists,” Sherman said. Dueling was illegal in New York at the time, making the shore of Weehawken a prime location for such activity. “They found the memorial drew duelists instead of keeping them away,” Sherman said, “and people were taking pieces of the monument with them. By 1821, there wasn’t much left other than this plaque with the engraving.” She said after dueling was outlawedin New Jerseyin 1845, people still came to the grounds to settle disputes by duel, using cork instead of bullets.
“He’s the father of modern banking. He’s legend.” – Jim Furman
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The views and the history
A retired history teacher from Seattle, Gordon Knight, was at the monument with his wife, Debby, taking in the views and the history. “It’s way down on a ledge, used to be surrounded by bush,” Gordon said, pointing to the original dueling grounds under the Palisade ridge where Hamilton was fatally wounded. Knight turned around to inspect a big rock behind him where a very old sign indicates that Hamilton rested his head on that very rock after being shot. “I also like the plaque,” Knight said. “It’s remarkable.”
Long before a Pulitzer-Prize-winning musical brought Alexander Hamilton back to public consciousness, folks were coming to Hamilton Park for another reason. “Mostly for the view,” Gordon said.
“The size of Seattle is like one little section of Manhattan,” Debby said, while asking about a sail-shaped building, which turned out to be the VIA 57 West Building on 57th Street, designed by Bjarke Ingles, a 41-year-old Danish architect.
On any given day, and especially on weekends, tour buses from all over stop on the shoulder of Eastern Boulevard in Weehawken. Passengers pile out to stretch their legs and capture the extraordinary views of the Manhattan skyline from Hamilton Park. With a familiar eye and a very strong pair of binoculars, you can even spot where the play is performed near Times Square at the Richard Rodgers Theater on 46th Street.
Though the views are spectacular, the monument commemorating the park’s eponymous federalist martyr is having its day in the sun, thanks to a most unlikely storyline for a Broadway musical.
The Knights said they hadn’t seen the musical. “No, not yet. We can’t afford it,” Gordon laughed. “We saw ‘Wicked,’ but “Hamilton” tickets can go up to $3,000. I guess there’s super rich people who can afford it.”
The Secretary of the Treasury might have had something to say about that.
Rory Pasquariello may be reached at roryp@hudsonreporter.com or on Twitter: @rory_louis.