Historic Pelham: More on the Early History of Chester Park in North Pelham

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

Though 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 upper 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.

Standen worked hard to prepare the area for an initial auction of 85 lots to be held on August 11, 1891.

The auction was deemed a failure. I have written before about the failure to sell many lots during the auction. See Mon., Feb. 27, 2017:  Why Did an Early Auction of Chester Park Lots Fail in 1891? In short, the auction failed for a number of reasons including oppressive heat that day, the timing of the auction during the peak Summer vacation period, and sale restrictions requiring quick construction of an expensive home on any lot purchased that made it difficult for land speculators simply to buy and flip lots. Indeed, it took Elizabeth and William Standen quite some time to realize their dream of accumulating wealth from subdividing and selling their land.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog article reproduces the text of two brief newspaper articles. One touts the upcoming sale on August 11, 1891. The second published several months after the failed auction, is actually a real estate advertisement for the development that is styled as an "article" regarding the history of, and points of interest in, the area. The first article is particularly interesting because it includes descriptions of the way the original native granite piers placed at entrances to the development and at the corners of the public green in the center of the development looked at the time and describes the views from the development.

The second article is interesting because it purports to tie Chester Park to local incidents during the American Revolutionary War and to historic White Plains Road which was nearly a half a mile away from the property. To make matters more fascinating, the "article" appears in the real estate advertisement section of the newspaper and is an apparent effort to attract history lovers to consider purchasing Chester Park properties.

The text of each of the two articles appears immediately below. Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"CHESTER PARK N. Y.,
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TO BE SOLD IN LOTS UNDER JUDICIOUS RESTRICTION.
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Only Thirty Minutes from the Grand Central Depot -- Free Water Laid -- Some of the Advantages Pointed Out -- Inducements to Invest.

Do you know anything about Chester Park, on the line of the New Haven railroad, near Pelhamville station, thirty minutes from Grand Central depot?

By 'anything' is meant of course the advantages of Chester Park as a home 'for the highest enjoyment of country life.' It has been designed for this express purpose and the park is probably the handsomest private residence centre in Westchester county. Electric lighting, an ample water supply, magnificently macadamized roads and sidewalks are among the many advantages of this essentially charming spot. The Park has three entrances from the public highway, viz: Pine avenue to the north, Willow avenue to the south and Central avenue between them, at which is located the main entrance. The entrance piers and receding walls are built of very handsome native granite and are imposing in size and of excellent workmanship. . . . They are surmounted by very large bronze vases, which in the proper season will be decorated by the best art of the florist. In the largest piers are inserted terra cotta medallions with the name 'Chester Park,' while on the smaller piers are similar medallions with date of construction of the Park, 1890.

In the centre is a plot of about two acres, which is, and will be for all time, reserved as a place of recreation for all residents of the park. There is a handsomely decorated green with ornamental piers, surmounted by vases at each of its eight corners. At the eastern end, facing the main entrance, the whole width of the green forms a handsome terrace, with a flight of steps leading up to the green.

Chester Park location is exceptional. Its westerly boundary is a strip of wood standing on a steep declivity leading to the Hutchinson river. Looking south the Park gives a view of the village of Pelhamville and the railroad depot, while north and northeastward the country is diversified and very picturesque. Then, too, there is an abundant supply of purest water, which is secured by an artesian well of enormous capacity. The water pipes lead to every lot, and the use of the water is free to all who purchase lots. It should be stated that the sale of lots is restricted in the interest of perfect home comfort and privacy, and with the desire of forming a choice community, with every surrounding of elegance and enjoyment. Wm. T. Standen, the owner, desires it known that anyone visiting the park will be driven over and back from Pelhamville, free of charge, by an arrangement with John F. B. Smyth, auctioneer. The building lots will be sold at the real estate auction room, No. 59 Liberty street, New York, on tuesday, Aug. 11 next."

Source:  CHESTER PARK N. Y. -- TO BE SOLD IN LOTS UNDER JUDICIOUS RESTRICTION -- Only Thirty Minutes from the Grand Central Depot -- Free Water Laid -- Some of the Advantages Pointed Out -- Inducements to Invest, The Brooklyn Citizen, Aug. 2, 1891, p. 2, col. 2 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"THE HISTORICAL WHITE PLAINS ROAD.
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One of the most historical roads in this section of the country is the old White Plains road, which is the backbone of the lower portion of Westchester county. During the time of the American Revolution it was the scene of some of the most active and desperate military movements of that eventful period.

Along this road the Continental and the British forces marched, countermarched [sic], and contended in their persistent efforts for supremacy. Less than half a mile east of this interesting road lies Chester Park, upon which both nature and art have been lavish in their gifts, and which thus lies in the very midst of a scene teeming with historical incidents of intense interest to the lovers of American freedom.

Standing upon the elevated Public Green, which is set aside for the recreation and amusement of residents of Chester Park, the eye takes in a wide range of hills and valleys to the north, to the south, and to the east. From this picturesque spot it is not difficult for the imagination to call up the spectres of the past, while the eye takes in the walls and bushes beyond which rebels or Tories so long ago lay in ambush or sought concealment; and any movement on the brow of a hill may bring to the mind's eye the form of the immortal Washington deep in the study of some strategic plan surveying the military possibilities of the surrounding country or hastening to rejoin the patriotic forces whose labors were so soon to be crowned with victory.

The location of Chester Park is intensely picturesque, and is as near to the depot as is desirable, while it is sufficiently distant to escape the noise, dirt, and confusion usually inseparable from a railroad station. Being only 30 minutes from Grand Central Depot, it has been laid out to suit the interests of New York merchants, manufacturers, business men, and men generally of fairly comfortable incomes who desire to be within easy reach of the city. The building sites are quarter acre plots or larger. Those who either desire 'summer residences' or 'all year country houses,' so near to the city and absolutely free from the annoyances that are generally incident to country life, cannot do better than make a visit to Chester Park.

Take either the 10:03 or 11:08 A. M., or the 12:08, 1:03, 2:03, or 3:06 P. M. train on the New Haven Railroad from the Grand Central Depot. The station agent at Pelhamville will furnish carriages free of charge to those who desire to inspect this beautiful Park. For maps, views, and further particulars address THOS. G. BROTHERTON, box 30, Pelhamville, N. Y."

Source:  THE HISTORICAL WHITE PLAINS ROAD, The Sun [New York, NY], Nov. 22, 1891, p. 11, col. 3 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).