Did an Overcrowded Barn Dance Prompt Pelham to Consider Construction of its Lovely Town Hall?

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Pelham's beautiful Town Hall building located at 34 Fifth Avenue was funded through the sale of bonds and built in 1909.  Designed by Pelham Manor architect Frederick Roosevelt Loney, the building replaced the old wooden Town Hall building constructed on the same spot in 1890 and burned in a fire on the night of October 23, 1908.  The facade of the building has been extensively modified from its original design by Loney.  (See below.)

Town Hall in About 1910 (On Left) and Town Hall in 2013 (On Right).

Note, in Photo on the Left, the Double Pilasters with Corinthian Capitals

Located Near Corners of Front Facade.  Note Also the Second-Story

Doors that Open Onto a Balcony Where Now There Are Three Windows

and No Balcony.  Note, Among Other Changes, the Stone Porch Added

to the Front of the Building Rather than Steps Leading from the Street

and the All-Brick Front Facade.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Though there is no doubt that the fire that destroyed the old wooden Town Hall was the principal catalyst for construction of today's Town Hall, there had been talk in Pelham for years before the fire regarding the need to build a new, more modern building to replace the old wooden structure.  Indeed, as today's Historic Pelham article posits, it appears that an overcrowded barn dance held in the old wooden Town Hall on December 7, 1906 drove home to Pelhamites the need for a more modern structure.

I have written before regarding the histories of both the old wooden Town Hall building and its modern replacement that still stands nearly 110 years later and is still used as Pelham's Town Hall.  See, e.g.:  

Mon., Jun. 26, 2017:  More on How Pelham Women Swung the Vote to Build a New Town Hall in 1909.

Tue., Apr. 21, 2015:  The Early History of Pelham's Town Hall, Built in 1909.

Thu., Jan. 30, 2014:  The Night Pelham's Town Hall Burned. 

Fri., Jul. 13, 2007:  Midnight Fire Destroyed Pelham's Town Hall in October 1908. 

Wed., May 12, 2010:  Fire Partly Destroyed Pelham Town Hall in 1908.

During the first five years of the 20th century, it became clear to all that the old wooden Town Hall building was inadequate to meet its necessary purposes.  At that time there was no community center like today's Daronco Town House adjacent to the current Town Hall.  Thus, the old wooden Town Hall served not only as town offices and jail, but also as a makeshift community center.  There was a "hall" on the first floor, but it did not encompass the entire floor -- only a portion.  There also was a hallway adjacent to the hall and offices located on the side of the hallway opposite to the "hall."  The hall served as a community meeting room and gathering space.  

On Thursday, December 7, 1906, the inadequacies of the wooden Town Hall were on display for all Pelhamites to see.  That night, a large "barn dance" was held in the hall of the building.  The hall was overcrowded and was entirely inadequate for the purpose.  To make matters worse, such social events were planned on a monthly basis throughout the upcoming winter.  It was clear that it would be a long winter of crowded social events in the old wooden structure.

Following the overcrowded dance, a local newspaper noted that the affair had "served to renew the agitation" for a new Town Hall on Fifth Avenue.  According to the report, Pelhamites "felt that the present building is entirely inadequate and as a town hall is for the people it is the opinion of many, that a better building should be seen on Fifth avenue than the present structure."

The matter seemed so urgent that Pelham began considering a reconfiguration of the first floor of the building to provide more gathering space.  The same news report noted:

"There is talk now, to meet existing conditions, of taking down the long partition between the hall and the hallway.  It is not known whether or not this partition is a factor in holding up the ceiling.  If it is not the removal of this partition will enlarge the hall considerably.  As it is at present, the hallway is of little use."

Pelhamites were still talking of the need to build a new Town Hall building when the old one burned two years later on October 23, 1908.  The problem, it seems, finally would be solved with a new Town Hall.

Detail from Undated Photograph of the Original Pelham Town Hall

on Fifth Avenue on an Election Day. The Building Later Burned on the

Evening of October 23, 1908 in a Suspicious Fire. Source: Courtesy of

The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham.  Note:  Click on

Image to Enlarge.

Undated Post Card View of the Town Hall Showing

It Shortly After It Was Built. Note the Stucco Surface and

the Spanish Tile Roof of the Original Structure.

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Below is the text of the news item that forms the basis for today's Historic Pelham article.  It is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"NEW TOWN HALL
-----
For Pelham is Being Considered at Present Time.
-----

North Pelham, Dec. 11. -- The advisability of building a new town hall is being discussed in the town.  It is felt that the present building is entirely inadequate and as a town hall is for the people it is the opinion of many, that a better building should be seen on Fifth avenue than the present structure.

The barn dance held last Thursday evening, has served to renew the agitation.  The hall was crowded on that evening.  It is understood that similar social affairs will be held during the winter, probably once a month.  

There is talk now, to meet existing conditions, of taking down the long partition between the hall and the hallway.  It is not known whether or not this partition is a factor in holding up the ceiling.  If it is not the removal of this partition will enlarge the hall considerably.  As it is at present, the hallway is of little use."

Source:  NEW TOWN HALL -- For Pelham is Being Considered at Present Time, Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 11, 1906, No. 4492, p. 1, col. 5.  

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