1884 Advertisement Placed by Charles J. Stephens of the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association Offering Home for Rent

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Though the recorded history of Pelham Manor began in the 17th century, for nearly two centuries the population of the area centered around the shore of Long Island Sound with later pockets that developed near such transportation arteries as the Boston Post Road and the New Haven main line that began serving the area in late 1848. In 1873, the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad opened its “branch line” from Harlem River to New Rochelle. Passenger service began in October 1873 with a station stop in the area known as Pelham Manor.

Local landowners saw an opportunity. Remembering the successful real estate developments in Mount Vernon and Pelhamville that followed the opening of the New Haven’s “main line” in 1848, they dreamed of real estate riches. An enterprising group of men owned undeveloped lands that extended from Long Island Sound to an area north of today’s Colonial Avenue in the Village of Pelham near the train station on the New Haven main line. The group created a real estate development association named “The Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association” to develop the lands.

The leaders were two brothers: Charles J. and Henry C. Stephens. Their wealthy uncle, Silas H. Witherbee, also participated. Others involved included R. M. Mitchill, E. Gybbon Spilsbury and, perhaps, Dr. Charles Heywood and members of the Secor family of Pelham. Most of these men later became members of the Pelham Manor Protective Club.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes a tiny advertisement placed by Charles J. Stephens in the May 14, 1884 issue of the New-York Tribune offering to rent a home in Pelham Manor. Although the advertisement does not specify which home, it may have been Stephens' own home or one of those offered as part of the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association development. The text of the advertisement appears below.

"AT PELHAM MANOR.

LARGE OLD-FASHIONED HOUSE, partially furnished, stable and four acres in garden (planted) and lawn for season or until April next, the only desirable place at present available in this thriving suburb; hourly trains from either Forty second st. or Harlem Bridge; time 30 minutes; commutation good on both routes.

CHAS. J. STEPHENS,
177 Broadway."

Source: At Pelham Manor, New-York Tribune, May 14, 1884, p. 7, col. 1.

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