In that year Valentine Mager (pronounced Major) was the proprietor of the Jones's Wood Hotel, which occupied the Provoost Mansion at the foot of East 71st Street. In the Times of April 25th, he solicited a continuance of the liberal patronage he had received and stated that he had greatly increased his grounds by "taking in fifteen acres more."

He presumed to add that "it is on the whole the only place on the island where a person can enjoy or make himself comfortable." Access was had by the Second and Third Avenue cars which ran within three minutes walk of the hotel "and persons who reside in the lower part of the city could enjoy a fine ride."

On December 16th 1859 Mager acquired by lease a piece of land in the block between 69th and 70th Streets Avenue A and the river from Edmund H. Pendleton and he added thereto in 1860 large slices of the interests of other heirs in nearby property, viz: Jan. 16th the entire block between Avenue A and the river and 70th and 71st Streets under lease from Lewis C. Jones; Jan. 5th the block between 1st Avenue and Avenue A & 68th & 69th Streets from James Cruikshank, agent for Estate of James S. Jones and also lots No. 95-103 in block between the same avenues, and 70th and 71st Streets; he also leased lots No. 1-26 in block between Avenues A and B, 68th and 69th streets, and lots No. 124-127 in block between these avenues and 69th-70th Streets.

On the same date Rebecca Jones leased to him lots No. 244-251 on the s.s. 70th Street between Avenue A and the river and Lewis C. Jones lots No. 548-550, 552 & 553 on s.s. 69th Street, No. 252-258 on s.s. 70th Street, No. 474-476 on n.s. 69th Street, and No. 413, 414 on the n.e. corner 1st Avenue and 70th Street. Likewise on the same day Woodbury Langdon leased him lots No. 543-544, 551, 557-167, 177-184, 415, 418, 468-470, 479, 480 and Alice Jones lots No. 545-547, 554, 237, 243, 419-423, 168-176, 471-473, 477 & 478. All the above indentures of lease said Mager conveyed on February 24, 1860 (L. 831: 9), to Isaac Sommers for $11,000 together with all the stock, fixtures, buildings, fences, and erections there on and a certain other lease "to be given by William C. Schermerhorn as by reference thereto will more fully at large appear."

During the Civil War the place was in constant use by the military. Some of these events follow: on August 27th 1861 the 69th Regiment excursion took place, at which time the steamer "General Arthur" ran from Peck Slip every hour, calling at Gouberneur, Broome and Tenth Streets and at Pier 45, East River, for a fare of five cents. In July 1862 it was the steamer "G.B. Frazer" which ran to the resort. On August 20th the Literary and Social Association gave a "grand festival" there, the proceeds to be devoted to the relief of sick and wounded soldiers. The Herald states that Sommers, "the worthy proprietor of the hotel and the favorite grounds," was everywhere, contributing to the enjoyment of the assembled thousands. The State Quartermaster General, General Arthur, was unavoidably prevented from being present but Generals Sickles and Busteed with other notables attended and were received with flattering enthusiasm. The amusements of the dance, rendered irresistible by the music of two very excellent bands, were continued until a late hour. The same paper but of August 25th noticed that three festivals would be held at the Wood that week; viz; those of the Turnverein, a "family picnic and social" under the direction of Prof. McPherson and on Thursday the annual excursion of St. Mary's R.C. Church in Grand Street.

In this Connection the reporter noted that, up to this time, about forty festivals had been held, being a larger number than any summer for three years past; the success of this place of amusement showing little signs of decrease. Each September on its advent found the Caledonian Club at the Wood. The sixth annual games held on the tenth, was, as usual, a marked success. A very large and particularly select party, numbering several thousands, were assembled to witness the sport and it required all the rolling stock of the Second Avenue Rail Road to carry the visitors to and from the grounds. A splendid double silken, bullion bound banner was presented to the club by the ladies of its members and their friends. Sommers was in personal charge of the refreshments and the festivities under the direction of Chief D. McLellan, Second Chieftan Thomas Barclay, Third Chieftan George Gilluly, and Clansmen James Cumming and John McLellan.

Sommers, "proprietor of the hotel and park," announced on May 1st the opening of the season of 1862. Always a favorite place for excursions and festivals he would strive to render it even more attractive. The Herald of the 19th, stated in a reading notice that the Wood on the opening day "was visited by several thousand of our Teutonic friends, as there they could, without molestation, ramble about on the grass or join in the many little innocent amusements that are customary to these grounds. The usual number of amateur rifle shooters, scuppers and lager beer drinkers were present and were accommodated, and the hotel having been newly fitted up the visitors found everything they required ready to hand." On August 13th, "the gallant Seventy-Ninth (Highland Guards)" held a festival and events under the auspices of the Thistle Benevolent Association, Burns Club and the New York Caledonian Club, in aid of the widows, orphans and disabled soldiers.

The opening of the season of 1863 took place on May 10th, and was signalized by a very large crowd. Target shooting, scups, hobby horses and the thousand and one other amusements were in full operation. The weather was lovely and the rains had brought forth the leaves on the early trees with some degree of profusion. Because of an explosion which occurred at the Powder Magazine and Cartridge Factory, located at the foot of 78th Street, Sommers advertised on May 15th, for fear of misapprehension, that his resort extended no further north than 71st Street. The disaster was however uncomfortably near and caused severe loss to the buildings in the Wood. And then we have the Pfingst Montag celebration on the 26th. A procession was formed and marched from Orchard Street, through Canal, Bowery, Second Street, Avenue A and Tenth Street at the foot of which the various societies embarked on steamboats. The above list of events certainly proclaims the popularity of the resort at this period.

One of the famous picnics of later days was held on August 24th 1872 by the printers. The affair was attended chiefly by attaches of newspapers__editors, reporters and compositors. "Big Six" was out in force. Horace Greeley, the Presidential candidate of the Liberal Republican-Democratic coalition, was there in the evening and made an address which was among the last that he ever delivered, as he died three weeks after the election. Thus a dash of historic interest was added to the picnic. Charles M. Harvey of St. Louis, Mo. related, the above particulars under date of August 17th 1912 and continued in the Sun as follows:

"Before that date I had heard Greeley talk several times on several subjects but I never saw him in such a happy mood as then. Regarding the political outlook he was bubbling over with confidence. Nearly all his hearers, Republicans and Democrats alike, were his supporters in his campaign, and he believed, as most of them did, that he would carry the country in November. As he was among old friends his address was in a familiar conversational strain. He was interrupted by questions frequently but the answers always came promptly and good naturedly. When he recognized the questioner, as he often did, he would mention him by name. Neither before nor since did I ever see a large assemblage permeated with such a spirit of geniality and comaraderie as that gathering showed after Greeley made his appearance there."