Mansions, parties, and fine dining: Vintage photos show how America's wealthiest business tycoons lived it up during the Gilded Age

James PasleyMar 11, 2023, 03:06 IST

Members of New York high society John S. Milburn, Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt III, Stuyvesant Fish, James Roosevelt Roosevelt, and Cornelius Vanderbilt III.Bettmann/Getty Images

In the late 1800s, tycoons amassed huge fortunes in America, and they weren't shy about showing it off.
They spent conspicuously, from fancy clothes to European mansions to lavish masked balls.

The adage goes that money can't buy happiness, but during the Gilded Age, it certainly bought a lot.

From the end of the Civil War until President Theodore Roosevelt began to impose limitations on America's wealthy tycoons, a select few grew enormously rich. Often they were bankers or those who profited off of a number of commercial industries, including railways, oil, and steel.

At the same time, the newly rich sought to spend. They wanted to be seen spending more than their rivals, and they wanted to be treated as equals by those with old money.

Here's how the tycoons of the Gilded Age spent their money.

In the years after the Civil War in 1865, a few Americans, including Andrew Carnegie, John Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and JP Morgan, began to make huge sums of money. They were bankers or tycoons who controlled oil, railroads, steel, and other key industries.

JP Morgan shakes his cane at somebody on the street.Corbis/Getty Images

In the years after the Civil War in 1865, a few Americans, including Andrew Carnegie, John Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and JP Morgan, began to make huge sums of money. They were bankers or tycoons who controlled oil, railroads, steel, and other key industries.

Their fortunes grew rapidly, and by 1897, America's 4,000 richest families — making up less than 1% of the country — had as much wealth as 11.6 million other families combined.

Andrew Carnegie stands next to his wife Louise and their guests for a photograph.Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

Their fortunes grew rapidly, and by 1897, America's 4,000 richest families — making up less than 1% of the country — had as much wealth as 11.6 million other families combined.

But they didn't just make fortunes — they spent fortunes, too. It was a period of conspicuous spending, one that Mark Twain dubbed the "Gilded Age."

Mark Twain seated at a table with his guests celebrating his 70th birthday at the famous New York restaurant Delmonico’s in 1905.Museum of the City of New York/Byron Collection/Getty Images

One of the defining features of the period was showing off. The rich flaunted their wealth for everyone to see. As author Esther Crain told The Wall Street Journal, it was all about one-upmanship.

A stockbroker surrounded by books, papers, and figurines in his office in 1904.Bettmann/Getty Images

One of the defining features of the period was showing off. The rich flaunted their wealth for everyone to see. As author Esther Crain told The Wall Street Journal, it was all about one-upmanship.

For those who were self-made, the way into the upper-echelons was through spending up, and to do so, they looked at how European royalty lived for inspiration.

The interior of one of the Vanderbilt mansions known as “The Breakers” on Rhode Island.Bettmann/Getty Images

There was a visible difference between old money families and the newly rich. Across the country, especially in New York City, those with old money sought to keep their world to themselves, while the newly rich were busy building themselves extravagant mansions.

Grace Vanderbilt and Alva Vanderbilt and other socialites at a benefit event.Bettmann/Getty Images

There was a visible difference between old money families and the newly rich. Across the country, especially in New York City, those with old money sought to keep their world to themselves, while the newly rich were busy building themselves extravagant mansions.

Alva and William K. Vanderbilt, who were considered nouveau riche, built a mansion called the "Petit Chateau" in New York City. It was considered garish by other elites. The mansion was made of white limestone — whereas brownstone was in fashion at the time — and occupied close to a block of Fifth Avenue.

The arches of the great hall in the Vanderbilts’ Petit Chateau in 1925.Bettmann/Getty Images

Alva and William K. Vanderbilt, who were considered nouveau riche, built a mansion called the "Petit Chateau" in New York City. It was considered garish by other elites. The mansion was made of white limestone — whereas brownstone was in fashion at the time — and occupied close to a block of Fifth Avenue.

Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his wife Alice built an even more ostentatious mansion on 57th street in New York for about $3.375 million, which is the equivalent of $95 million today.

An exterior shot of the home of Cornelius Vanderbilt at 57th Street and Fifth Avenue in 1927.Ed Jackson/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images

Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his wife Alice built an even more ostentatious mansion on 57th street in New York for about $3.375 million, which is the equivalent of $95 million today.

Not too far away, on 73rd St, steel tycoon Charles M. Schwab built himself a mansion made of steel, limestone, and granite. It had 75 rooms, a bowling alley, a swimming pool, and three elevators.

An exterior shot of Charles Schwab’s mansion in 1907.Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

Not too far away, on 73rd St, steel tycoon Charles M. Schwab built himself a mansion made of steel, limestone, and granite. It had 75 rooms, a bowling alley, a swimming pool, and three elevators.

But the mansions weren't restricted to New York City. In 1878, railroad mogul John Work Garrett bought his son Harrison and his family another famous mansion with 48 rooms in Baltimore.

Inside the Garrett family’s home theater in Baltimore in 1923.JHU Sheridan Libraries/Gado/Getty Images

But the mansions weren't restricted to New York City. In 1878, railroad mogul John Work Garrett bought his son Harrison and his family another famous mansion with 48 rooms in Baltimore.

Their library was filled with 8,000 volumes, including original books by Audubon and Shakespeare. It had a chandelier and a table with candelabras.

Books line the shelves of the Garrett family’s library in Baltimore with a candelabra chandelier in 1923.JHU Sheridan Libraries/Gado/Getty Images

But building and buying mansions was only one way the newly wealthy would spend money in the Gilded Age. Every year, socialites would go to Europe to keep up with the latest fashions. The women shopped in Paris, while the men shopped in London.

The wives of WK Vanderbilt and Cornelius Vanderbilt strolling in New York City during the early 1890s.Bettmann/Getty Images

But building and buying mansions was only one way the newly wealthy would spend money in the Gilded Age. Every year, socialites would go to Europe to keep up with the latest fashions. The women shopped in Paris, while the men shopped in London.

They also hosted over-the-top parties. One socialite wife married to American railroad tycoon Stuyvesant Fish hosted a dinner party for her dog, where she dressed him up in a $15,000 diamond collar.

Miss Lola Robinson and the wife of Stuyvesant Fish take a stroll.Bettmann/Getty Images

They also hosted over-the-top parties. One socialite wife married to American railroad tycoon Stuyvesant Fish hosted a dinner party for her dog, where she dressed him up in a $15,000 diamond collar.

Another millionaire named CKG Billings loved horses so much that his dinner party was held on horseback inside a fancy New York restaurant called Sherry's.

Dozens of guests enjoy a meal sitting on their horses in a New York restaurant in 1903.Bettmann/Getty Images

Usually though, dining happened in proper seats, without animals, at fancy restaurants like Delmonico's.

A dinner of society people at Delmonico’s in 1899.Bettmann/Getty Images

During this era, there was one diner who was famed for how much he could eat. Diamond Jim Brady, who made his millions selling railroad supplies, reportedly started his day with pancakes, steaks, chops, eggs, muffins, grits, bread, fried potatoes, and orange juice.

A portrait of American financier James Buchanan Brady, also known as Diamond Jim Brady.PhotoQuest/Getty Images

During this era, there was one diner who was famed for how much he could eat. Diamond Jim Brady, who made his millions selling railroad supplies, reportedly started his day with pancakes, steaks, chops, eggs, muffins, grits, bread, fried potatoes, and orange juice.

Socialites hosted impressive parties, too. One of the most well-known socialites was Caroline Astor, who was known for her infamous "List of 400," which consisted of guests from 25 socially acceptable families, designed to keep the "right" people in the upper society and the "wrong" ones out.

A portrait of socialite Caroline Aster from 1903.The Print Collector/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Socialites hosted impressive parties, too. One of the most well-known socialites was Caroline Astor, who was known for her infamous "List of 400," which consisted of guests from 25 socially acceptable families, designed to keep the "right" people in the upper society and the "wrong" ones out.

And yet, like the era itself, Astor was later revealed to be less wealthy than people thought. After she died, her goods were auctioned and people discovered her dinnerware was gold-plated, not solid gold.

An exterior shot of the mansion where Caroline Astor lived in 1912.Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

And yet, like the era itself, Astor was later revealed to be less wealthy than people thought. After she died, her goods were auctioned and people discovered her dinnerware was gold-plated, not solid gold.

Society gatekeepers like Astor made social mobility difficult for the newly rich, including Alva Vanderbilt, whose father-in-law Cornelius Vanderbilt, a shipping and railroad mogul, was known as a rough and crass man.

Some of the Vanderbilt women sit on the steps of a tea house in 1914.Bettmann/Getty Images

Society gatekeepers like Astor made social mobility difficult for the newly rich, including Alva Vanderbilt, whose father-in-law Cornelius Vanderbilt, a shipping and railroad mogul, was known as a rough and crass man.

But Alva didn't give up. She had one seemingly unlimited resource — money — and in 1883, she threw a masked ball, which cost about $250,000 (about $6 million today). She spent $65,000 on champagne alone.

Alva Belmont, then WK Vanderbilt’s wife, costumed for a fancy dress ball which she gave in March of 1883.Bettmann/Getty Images

But Alva didn't give up. She had one seemingly unlimited resource — money — and in 1883, she threw a masked ball, which cost about $250,000 (about $6 million today). She spent $65,000 on champagne alone.

There were a few iconic outfits worn at Alva's ball, including the dress worn by Cornelius Vanderbilt's wife, which was made of velvet, satin, and silver bullion designed to represent electric light. She wore it in honor of Thomas Edison's work in electricity. She even had a glowing torch connected to hidden batteries.

Kate Fearing Strong, another socialite whose nickname was "Puss," wore a taxidermied cat on her head along with seven tails sewed into her skirt.

The newly rich displayed their fortunes by attending the opera, which was gatekept by old money families. In New York, a group with inherited wealth controlled who could get tickets to the Academy of Music, an opera house, and made it impossible for others to see a show.

An exterior shot of the Metropolitan Opera House in 1865.Sepia Times/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

The newly rich displayed their fortunes by attending the opera, which was gatekept by old money families. In New York, a group with inherited wealth controlled who could get tickets to the Academy of Music, an opera house, and made it impossible for others to see a show.

Like the Metropolitan opera house, these tycoons did some good with their fortunes for the country during the Gilded Age. Philanthropists funded museums, orchestras, and opera groups.

Andrew Carnegie and his wife photographed in a car in the early 20th century.HUM Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Like the Metropolitan opera house, these tycoons did some good with their fortunes for the country during the Gilded Age. Philanthropists funded museums, orchestras, and opera groups.

By the 1910s, the Gilded Age was coming to an end. The age of tycoons was weakening as newspapers exposed corruption and President Theodore Roosevelt imposed new limits on corporate power and brought in tax and political reforms.

Hulton Archive / Stringer / Getty Images

By the 1910s, the Gilded Age was coming to an end. The age of tycoons was weakening as newspapers exposed corruption and President Theodore Roosevelt imposed new limits on corporate power and brought in tax and political reforms.

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Mansions, parties, and fine dining: Vintage photos show how America's wealthiest business tycoons lived it up during the Gilded Age

In the years after the Civil War in 1865, a few Americans, including Andrew Carnegie, John Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and JP Morgan, began to make huge sums of money. They were bankers or tycoons who controlled oil, railroads, steel, and other key industries.

Their fortunes grew rapidly, and by 1897, America's 4,000 richest families — making up less than 1% of the country — had as much wealth as 11.6 million other families combined.

But they didn't just make fortunes — they spent fortunes, too. It was a period of conspicuous spending, one that Mark Twain dubbed the "Gilded Age."

One of the defining features of the period was showing off. The rich flaunted their wealth for everyone to see. As author Esther Crain told The Wall Street Journal, it was all about one-upmanship.

For those who were self-made, the way into the upper-echelons was through spending up, and to do so, they looked at how European royalty lived for inspiration.

There was a visible difference between old money families and the newly rich. Across the country, especially in New York City, those with old money sought to keep their world to themselves, while the newly rich were busy building themselves extravagant mansions.

Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his wife Alice built an even more ostentatious mansion on 57th street in New York for about $3.375 million, which is the equivalent of $95 million today.

Not too far away, on 73rd St, steel tycoon Charles M. Schwab built himself a mansion made of steel, limestone, and granite. It had 75 rooms, a bowling alley, a swimming pool, and three elevators.

But the mansions weren't restricted to New York City. In 1878, railroad mogul John Work Garrett bought his son Harrison and his family another famous mansion with 48 rooms in Baltimore.

Their library was filled with 8,000 volumes, including original books by Audubon and Shakespeare. It had a chandelier and a table with candelabras.

But building and buying mansions was only one way the newly wealthy would spend money in the Gilded Age. Every year, socialites would go to Europe to keep up with the latest fashions. The women shopped in Paris, while the men shopped in London.

They also hosted over-the-top parties. One socialite wife married to American railroad tycoon Stuyvesant Fish hosted a dinner party for her dog, where she dressed him up in a $15,000 diamond collar.

Another millionaire named CKG Billings loved horses so much that his dinner party was held on horseback inside a fancy New York restaurant called Sherry's.

Usually though, dining happened in proper seats, without animals, at fancy restaurants like Delmonico's.

During this era, there was one diner who was famed for how much he could eat. Diamond Jim Brady, who made his millions selling railroad supplies, reportedly started his day with pancakes, steaks, chops, eggs, muffins, grits, bread, fried potatoes, and orange juice.

Socialites hosted impressive parties, too. One of the most well-known socialites was Caroline Astor, who was known for her infamous "List of 400," which consisted of guests from 25 socially acceptable families, designed to keep the "right" people in the upper society and the "wrong" ones out.

And yet, like the era itself, Astor was later revealed to be less wealthy than people thought. After she died, her goods were auctioned and people discovered her dinnerware was gold-plated, not solid gold.

Society gatekeepers like Astor made social mobility difficult for the newly rich, including Alva Vanderbilt, whose father-in-law Cornelius Vanderbilt, a shipping and railroad mogul, was known as a rough and crass man.

But Alva didn't give up. She had one seemingly unlimited resource — money — and in 1883, she threw a masked ball, which cost about $250,000 (about $6 million today). She spent $65,000 on champagne alone.

Kate Fearing Strong, another socialite whose nickname was "Puss," wore a taxidermied cat on her head along with seven tails sewed into her skirt.

The newly rich displayed their fortunes by attending the opera, which was gatekept by old money families. In New York, a group with inherited wealth controlled who could get tickets to the Academy of Music, an opera house, and made it impossible for others to see a show.

Like the Metropolitan opera house, these tycoons did some good with their fortunes for the country during the Gilded Age. Philanthropists funded museums, orchestras, and opera groups.

By the 1910s, the Gilded Age was coming to an end. The age of tycoons was weakening as newspapers exposed corruption and President Theodore Roosevelt imposed new limits on corporate power and brought in tax and political reforms.