The Barons of Broadway #29
In this episode we take a second look at Lochbourne at 406 North Broadway. Nestled in Upper Nyack, the storied property of Lochbourne has witnessed nearly two centuries of transformation. From its origins as a retreat for affluent families to its role in local history and culture, Lochbourne’s journey mirrors the broader narrative of Nyack’s development. This article delves into the lives of the remarkable individuals beginning in the early 20th century who called Lochbourne home, their contributions to the community, and the legacy they left behind.
The Bell Family – The Last of Lochbourne’s Summer Barons
Around the time of John Carscallen’s death in 1906, John J. Bell acquired the property now known as Lochbourne. The Bell family immigrated to America from Scotland around 1830. John Bell, Sr., one of their American-born sons, arrived in Valley Cottage around 1860, likely using it as a summer retreat.
One of John Bell’s sons, Enoch C. Bell, became a prominent real estate financier in the Bronx, serving as President of the Corn Exchange and other financial institutions. Enoch married Eva Swartwout of Valley Cottage. The Swartwout family had built a dam to form Swartwout Lake for ice farming. Beginning in the 1890s, Enoch summered at 24 First Avenue in Nyack. Enoch was active in local affairs and participated in events like the local Kirmess, a fundraiser where he played a living game of whist with notable figures such as Clarence Lexow, DuPratt White, Leroy Frost, and Judge Leo Dessar. Bell rests in a large mausoleum in Oak Hill Cemetery.
John Jewett Bell (1856-1931)
John Jewett Bell married Caroline (Carrie) Maple Keller in 1886. They had four children: Margaret, Helen, Dorothy, and John (III). Caroline died of typhoid fever after drinking water while vacationing in the Adirondacks. In 1902, J J. Bell married Matilda (Tillie) Lasher, who later co-founded the Nyack Garden Club. Shortly after their marriage, Bell acquired Lochbourne as a summer home. Bell served as a trustee in Upper Nyack during Frank Crumbie’s tenure as president (a title akin to mayor).
John Jewett Bell attended boarding school with his older brother Enoch in Cornwall. Both joined their father at his brickyard in Harlem. After Enoch left for the real estate business, the company became known as John Bell & Son. When John Bell Sr. died in 1926, he sold the yard at 113th Street and East River to the city of New York for $600,000 (approximately $10.7M today).
The Bell family circa 1900 with the parents surrounding the four children, clockwise from upper right: Margaret, Helen, Dorothy, and John (III). Photos from the Comfort family archives.
Personal Memories of John J. Bell & Life at Lochbourne
Bell’s grandchildren loved visiting Lochbourne with its wide lawn, barn, gardens, flowers, root cellar, grape arbor, goldfish pond, cow, a chauffeur-driven car, and the nearby glen. They remembered Bell as always wearing a wing collar and a polka-dot bow tie. He liked to work on jigsaw puzzles while sitting in a chair overlooking the garden. Because of a heart condition, Bell installed an elevator to the upper floors operated by pulling a rope. The tower room contained a billiard table that became off-limits to children after one grandchild scored the felt top by accident.
Bell purchased a Pierce Arrow town car with fourteen buttons. His city coachman, Edward Randall, who had to learn how to drive a car when they moved to Nyack, served as his chauffeur. Roses sat in a bud vase in the back. A phone connected the back seat with the driver. Edward lived on the second floor of the carriage house and went with the family to their winter home in Winter Haven, Florida.
Mr. Masters, the gardener, lived in the cottage north of the brook on Old Mountain Road with his wife and a parrot. Masters drove Harry, a docile white horse, who pulled eight or more mowers. The extensive lawn was large enough for several croquet games at once. A cow in the barn provided fresh milk.
A Memorable Wedding
Among the many notable events at Lochbourne, one of the grandest was Dorothy Bell’s wedding to Walter Rockefeller Comfort, Jr. of Tarrytown. The two met in New York City, where Dorothy had started a singing career at Town Hall and Comfort attended NYU. Some 250 people attended the wedding at Lochbourne. Palms, ferns, and cut flowers, especially mums, filled the house. Music was provided by Nathan Franko’s well-known New York City orchestra. Delmonico’s catered the meal.
Lochbourne Changes Hands
John J. Bell died in 1931 and Tillie in 1967. In 1945, the Bell family auctioned the property, dividing it into five parcels. The estate house and a three-car garage occupied 2.5 acres, a six-room cottage sat on 1.5 acres, and three additional parcels suitable for building were each 1.5 acres. Three mid-century homes later occupied the three empty lots. The northeast parcel included a dam and a large pond stocked with goldfish. The cottage may have been located on Old Mountain Road. A small bridge once spanned the brook at Lochbourne.
2025 views of the front of Lochbourne with its dramatic porch and tower.
The estate house, notable for its 14 rooms and parquet floors, featured what was likely Rockland County’s first residential elevator. The first floor included a grand living room, dining room, and well-stocked library, along with a kitchen, study, and powder room. The second floor housed five master bedrooms and two baths, while the third floor had two maid’s rooms, a bath, a playroom, and storage. A veranda encircled three sides of the house, offering Hudson River views. The carriage house and a small barn, later restored by Izzy Cohen, remained part of the estate.
Interior photos of Lochbourne. The living room on the upper left is also Izzy Cohen’s home office. The window on the lower right survived the Carscallen renovation of 1895.
The Lane Era (1950-1959)
The Lane family acquired Lochbourne in 1950. Chester Lane, a Harvard Law School graduate and former general counsel for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), was an active member of the Upper Nyack community. He participated in the PTA, played competitive tennis at the local club, and even learned to play timpani for the Rockland County Symphony. Chester also served as president of the Rockland Foundation and co-founded the Upper Nyack Civic Association.
In 1950, Chester became defense counsel for the Alger Hiss’s appeal of a perjury conviction in the headline-grabbing Alger Hiss trial during the McCarthy era. Hiss was accused of spying for the Soviet Union, a case that garnered national attention and involved figures like Richard Nixon. Despite the fact that Hiss’ appeal failed, Chester Lane’s career remained distinguished. After his sudden death from a heart attack in 1959, his wife, Persis McLennan Lane, sold the property the following year.
Taro Takahashi and Climate Science Contributions
In 1960, Taro (var.) and Sarah Takahashi purchased Lochbourne. Taru Takahashi, born in Tokyo and holding a Ph.D. in geochemistry from Columbia University, became an associate director at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Working alongside Wallace Broecker, he contributed to early climate science research, particularly on the ocean’s role in absorbing carbon dioxide. Takahashi’s work aboard the research vessel Vema helped lay the groundwork for understanding global warming.
Although rumored to have been engaged to Yoko Ono, Takahashi denied the claim, stating they had merely met during a group outing in New York City.
The Cohen Era at Lochbourne
For the past 58 years, Lochbourne has been home to the remarkable Israel “Izzy” Cohen. Known for his vibrant and diverse interests, Izzy has not only continued working at the age of 96 but has also been a clockmaker, reptile enthusiast, art restorer, historian, and an early adopter of working from home.
Born on October 3, 1928, Izzy grew up in the West Bronx. His 1946 yearbook from DeWitt Clinton High School lists him as an honor student and a reptile hobbyist, a title he insists was not a joke. Izzy developed an early fascination with reptiles during visits to the Bronx Zoo, where aquarium curators introduced him to electric eels and snakes. His passion led him on adventures to identify various snake species in places like Fire Island, the New Jersey Pine Barrens, and Harriman State Park.
As a teenager, Izzy worked as a camp counselor at Lake Tiorati in Harriman State Park. He often hitchhiked home along Route 9W, passing a mansard-roofed Victorian house that inspired Edward Hopper’s famous 1925 painting, House by the Railroad, and the film “Psycho.” Izzy remembers thinking, “This is where I’ll live one day.”
The Cohen Family
Izzy earned degrees from CCNY and Adelphi University in clinical social work. From 1953 to 1962, he worked with Jewish Family Service before opening a private practice in Manhattan. Izzy specialized in psychoanalytic group and family therapy. In 1953, Izzy married Esther “Essie” Kleinman. After living in the Bronx, they relocated to West Nyack in search of better schools for their children.
Newspaper photos of Izzy Cohen (1967) and Izzy and Essie Cohen working on clock (1972).
The Cohens raised four children—Debby, Wendy, Jonathan, and Larry—and moved to Lochbourne after finding the property through a classified ad. Though initially met with discrimination from local banks, Izzy secured a mortgage through Chase Manhattan Bank. Despite early challenges, the family was warmly welcomed by neighbors, including the mayor, who helped clear their driveway during a snowstorm.
Work-from-Home Pioneer
Decades before working from a home office became mainstream, Izzy set up a home office in Lochbourne. With sliding pocket doors providing privacy, he transformed his living room into a functional workspace. Izzy believed working from home strengthened his connection with patients, who often interacted with his family and pets. In 1975, he told the Journal News, “I love being at home, I love my house, and I consider myself very lucky.” Even today, Izzy sees 12-15 patients weekly from his home office.
Clockmaking and Antiques
A few items from the Cohen collections.
Izzy’s fascination with clocks began when he and Essie purchased a non-functional mantle clock. After successfully repairing it, the couple started collecting and restoring clocks, often salvaging discarded pieces. Today, Lochbourne’s walls are adorned with timepieces, showcasing Izzy’s interest in clockmaking. In addition, the walls are adorned with artwork that Izzy meticulously cleaned.
Meanwhile, Essie thrived in Nyack’s antique scene. She opened The Thieves Market in 1972, a shop that became a cornerstone of South Broadway’s antiques row. Over the years, she operated from several locations, remaining a fixture in the community until her retirement in 2019. Essie passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and entrepreneurship.
Three views of the Lochbourne’s attractive carriage house overlooking Upper Nyack Brook that dates back to at least 1895. Izzy Cohen rebuilt the small barn attaching it directly to the carriage house.
Preserving Lochbourne
Lockbourne is fortunate to remain architecturally untouched from its 19th century roots. Izzy Cohen has added his special touches to preserving Lochbourne. He renovated the dilapidated barn linking it to the carriage house. Cohen reused materials removed from the Majestic Theater in New York City during preparation for the opening of Phantom of the Opera. Under the stewardship of Izzy Cohen and his 20th century predecessors, Lochbourne continues to be a living testament to the rich tapestry of its past.
Mike Hays lived in the Nyacks for 38-years. He worked for McGraw-Hill Education in New York City for many years. Hays serves as President of the Historical Society of the Nyacks, Vice-President of the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center, and Upper Nyack Historian. . Married to Bernie Richey, he enjoys cycling and winters in Florida. You can follow him on Instagram as UpperNyackMike.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Sun River Health and Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty. Sun River Health is a network of 43 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) providing primary, dental, pediatric, OB-GYN, and behavioral health care to over 245,000 patients annually. Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty is the lower Hudson Valley’s Leader in Luxury. Located in the charming Hudson River village of Nyack, approximately 22 miles from New York City. Our agents are passionate about listing and selling extraordinary properties in the Lower Hudson Valley, including Rockland and Orange Counties, New York.
