Residence of Mr. Blakely Hall, 1896. Blakely Hall was a reporter who wrote for the New York Sun. Of his most notable projects is his chronicling of Evander Berry Wall, the proclaimed "King of Dudes." Wall was an extravagant dresser who owned around 500 complete outfits that earned him the title of a "dude." In the late 19th century, "dude" referred to "a man extremely fastidious in dress and manner," similar to the word "dandy." Wall embraced this term and made it his mission to become the "King of Dudes." Hall awarded Wall the title of "King of Dudes" during the Blizzard of 1888 when he walked into a bar wearing thigh-high patent leather boots. From then on, Hall made it his weekly practice to publish articles concerning Wall's outings and adventures.