Final Auction of Remaining Lands of the Pelhamville Land and Homestead Association in 1898

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Chester Park is a beautiful neighborhood located at the northern tip of the Town of Pelham. Tradition says that the neighborhood is named after the 21st President of the United States, Chester A. Arthur.

In 1891, an actuary with the United States Life Insurance Company named William T. Standen and his wife, Elizabeth G. Standen, owned much of the land known today as Chester Park. The land was located just north of an unincorporated section of the Town of Pelham known as Pelhamville.

Though William Standen worked in the headquarters of United States Life Insurance Company located at 261 Broadway in New York City, he and his wife had a residence on the lands they owned in the Town of Pelham. They called their residence "The Homestead."  The Homestead was located north of today’s Pine Avenue between Maple Avenue and Pelhamdale Avenue. By May of 1891, the Standens had decided to subdivide their land and develop it as “Chester Park”. In May and June of that year, the lands were surveyed for the purpose of creating a subdivision map for development purposes.

"The Homestead," Residence of William T. Standen,

The Founder of Chester Park, Ca. 1890s.

Source:  Courtesy of The Office of The Historian of The

Town of Pelham from a Board of Photos Donated to the Town of Pelham.

On August 20, 1891, a development map of Chester Park was filed with Westchester County authorities. At that time, the planned neighborhood extended to the Hutchinson River.

According to an early development map from the files of a New Rochelle real estate brokerage firm, the original plan called for 86 lots, each being at least 100 x 100 feet. In the center of the neighborhood there was a planned “Green” (a park), with a fountain in its center. Lot owners were expected to contribute toward the cost of maintaining the Green and the streets of the new neighborhood.

By deed dated December 7, 1891, title to the lands was transferred to a company apparently controlled by William T. Standen named Pelhamville Land and Homestead Association. There is at least a hint that the Standens may have had longstanding plans to develop their property in this manner. William T. Standen incorporated the Pelhamville Land and Homestead Association nearly five years earlier, on February 15, 1887.

I have written extensively about the Pelhamville Land and Homestead Association and Chester Park.  For a few of the many postings on the topics, see:

Bell, Blake A., History of Chester Park in the Village of Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 46, Nov. 19, 2004, p. 10, col. 1.).

Thu., Jun. 01, 2006:  Early Photographs of Chester Park Among Materials Donated to The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham.

Fri., Jun. 2, 2006:  Several of the Early Photographs of Chester Park Recently Donated to The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham.

Mon., Jun. 5, 2006:  More Early Photographs of Chester Park Recently Donated to The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham.

Tue., Jun. 6, 2006:  More Early Photographs of Chester Park Recently Donated to The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham.

Monday, June 19, 2006:  Court Decision Issued in 1894 Sheds Light on Finances Behind the Development of Chester Park in the Early 1890s.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog provides additional information about the Pelhamville Land and Homestead Association including an advertisement for an auction of the last remaining lands of the Association as part of the dissolution of the corporation in 1898.  An image of the advertisement appears immediately below, followed by a transcription of its text to facilitate search.

Advertisement for Auction of Last Remaining Lands of the

Pelhamville Land and Homestead Association Held on

April 25 1898.  (Text of Advertisement Transcribed Below).

Source:  WILLIAM M. RYAN, Auctioneer, The Chronicle

[Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 8, 1898, p. 3, col. 4.

"WILLIAM M. RYAN, Auctioneer,

WILL SELL AT AUCTION

At the New York Real Estate Salesrooms, 111 Broadway, New York City,

AT 12 O'CLOCK NOON,

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1898.

Absolute Sale, Without Reserve.

Caused by the dissolution of the corporation of the PELHAMVILLE LAND AND HOMESTEAD ASSOCIATION.

VALUABLE ACREAGE AND LOT PROPERTY AT

Pelham, Pelhamville and City Island.

PELHAM--About 10 acres of land, situated on Wolf's lane, Third street.  Boulevard, opposite Pelham Heights Association.  All mapped out to be sold in city lots.  Will be sold in one parcel.  This property is across the line from City of Mount Vernon.

PELHAM--Valuable Plot of four lots, situated corner Fourth street and Eighth avenue, known as Parcel 172 on map.  Will be sold in one parcel.

PELHAMVILLE--Seven acres on Fifth avenue, running through to Third avenue, near Seventh street; all mapped out to be sold in city lots.  Will be sold in one parcel.  

CITY ISLAND, 24TH WARD, NEW YORK CITY--Valuable plot of 10 lots, on the southeast corner of Fordham avenue x 150 on New street.  Will be sold in one plot.

CITY ISLAND, 24TH WARD, NEW YORK CITY--Valuable plot 100 x 106, situated on Schofield avenue, near Main street Bay.

Buel, Toucey & Whiting, Esqs.,

Attorneys, 261 Broadway.

Maps and particulars at the office of the attorneys and auctioneer, 111 Broadway."

Source:  Source: WILLIAM M. RYAN, Auctioneer, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 8, 1898, p. 3, col. 4.

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