Homes all have features which distinguish one from another, but one of the most interesting features a home can have is a history. 108 Montebello Road in Suffern has history up to the rafters. The home was once owned by tobacco magnate Thomas Fortune Ryan in the 1890’s, built on 1,000 acres of land. Ryan was a major political figure in New York City at the end of the 19th century. He founded the New York Cable Railroad, and by 1900, controlled most of the cable cars in the city. His successful ventures into the tobacco trade, however, were what allowed Ryan to buy the Montebello home and acreage.

 After Ryan died, the property fell to his heirs who eventually sold different parts of the land, and the house. Charles and Homer Pace, founders of Pace University purchased the home and parcels of the land, turning the home into a barn for their farm. When they died, after successfully turning Pace University into an institute for business law and accountancy, the house was passed on to Charles Pace’s grand daughter, Margaret Buchnam. She returned the barn to its original state as a home, and her family lived there until it was purchased by Robert Mazor in 1983.

 The Suffern area is steeped in American history and played an important role in its battle for independence from Great Britain. In 1781, American and French forces gathered at Ramapo Pass before heading to Yorktown to force the British to surrender.

To view this property's website with a virtual open house and further area information click here or call Historic Home Specialist, Vanessa Saunders at 845 598 5083 for an appointment.