Foxhurst Estate

An intersection of history and remembrance

Foxhurst Estate, which overlooked Silver Lake Park, was originally owned and named after John Fox, who served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1867 and 1871, and a year in the state senate in 1874 .

The estate no longer exists, and although not much is known about the congressman, his estate’s name had a significant impact on the local streetscape with both Foxhurst Road and Foxhurst Avenue, which intersect near the park.

Although the physical estate is not in Baldwin anymore, some is known of the rowdy nights spent there by another owner — Frank Tinney. An early 20th century vaudeville comedian and Broadway actor, Tinney was at the height of his fame hosting parties for notable Hollywood stars such as Will Rogers. That was until Tinney was arrested at his Baldwin home on the night of May 29, 1924.

Accused of brutally assaulting Ziegfeld Follies dancer and mistress Imogene “Bubbles” Wilson after he discovered her alone in her apartment with a newspaper reporter, Tinney was never formally charged with a crime, despite the physical evidence of bruises. But the publicity in the local newspapers ruined

Tim Baker/Herald photos Top: Foxhurst Avenue and Foxhurst Road are named after John Fox, a congressman who lived in Baldwin. Just above, the pond in Silver Lake Park is named after Caroline McCahon.

his reputation forever.

He left Baldwin on Aug. 6, 1924, to sail for England. It was the same day his wife, Edna Davenport, filed for divorce, and a few hours after he broke a press photographers’ camera for trying to snap of picture of him and Wilson leaving a New York nightspot together.

Now, the area is considered tranquil and a good place for children to play, and for cyclists to ride. Silver Lake Park is part of a joint state and county multi-million dollar flood-prevention and resiliency project, where the park will receive a few infrastructure improvements, including a fish passage to Caroline’s Pond that was named in memory of Caroline McCahon in June. McCahon spent most of her life in Oceanside, where she graduated high school, before moving to Baldwin, frequented the pond during her lunch breaks. She was just 27 when she died in 1990. — Karina Kovac

Top: Ducks and residents alike utilize Silver Lake Park for their downtime.

Middle: Construction improvements have given Silver Lake Park a revamp, making it look better than ever.