Fascinating QSL Card Sent by Killian Van Rensselaer Langsingh of Elderwood Avenue in 1924

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The nearly one hundred year old QSL Card depicted below reads like a coded message which, in a way, it was.  Killian Van Rensselaer Lansingh of 226 Elderwood Avenue in Pelham Heights mailed the card shortly after a significant event on December 21, 1924.  It reads, in part:

"This crd fm 2ATF Dec. 21, 1924 . . . 
Wud appreciate a QSL on my sigs if QRB is over 1,000 miles, or if u r outside the continental U.S.A.  Vy best 73's"

An image of the QSL Card appears immediately below.

QSL Card Sent by 2ATF (Killian Van Rensselaer Lansingh)

Shortly After December 21, 1924.  NOTE:  Click on Image

to Enlarge.

This is an early QSL Card that says a great deal about the history of the little Town of Pelham.  A QSL Card is a postcard mailed to confirm "either a two-way radio communication between two amateur radio stations or a one-way reception of a signal from an AM radio, FM radio, television or shortwave broadcasting station," among other things.  See "QSL Card" in Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia (visited Oct. 15, 2018).  Indeed, according to one source:

"During the early days of radio broadcasting, the ability for a radio set to receive distant signals was a source of pride for many consumers and hobbyists. Listeners would mail "reception reports" to radio broadcasting stations in hopes of getting a written letter to officially verify they had heard a distant station. As the volume of reception reports increased, stations took to sending post cards containing a brief form that acknowledged reception. Collecting these cards became popular with radio listeners in the 1920s and 1930s, and reception reports were often used by early broadcasters to gauge the effectiveness of their transmissions."  Source:  Id. 

This QSL Card was prepared by Pelham Ham Radio Operator Killian Van Rensselaer Lansingh of Pelham Heights.  At the time he sent this QSL Card, Lansingh was a college student attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He was home on Winter Break.

According to the Bureau of Navigation Radio Service, U.S. Department of Commerce and its "Amateur Radio Stations of the U.S. 1924-26," Killian V. R. Lansingh had a 500-Watt Ham Radio Broadcasting station at his home (actually, that of his parents), as indicated on the QSL Card, at 226 Elderwood Avenue in Pelham.  See Department of Commerce Bureau of Navigation Radio Service, Amateur Radio Stations of the United States -- Edition June 30, 1924, pp. 40 & 58 (Washington, D.C.:  Government Printing Office, 1924).   

With this QSL card, Lansingh was acknowledging receipt of a signal from a station the call signal of which was 3BDO.  That station was owned by Russel U. Waite of North West Avenue, Vineland, N. J.  Waite owned a small 25-Watts Ham Radio Broadcast Station at that location.  See id., pp. 69 & 89.  Lansingh noted that he received the signal from Waite's station, about 140 miles away, at 2105 Greenwich Mean Time on December 21, 1924 (5:05 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, December 21, 1924).  

The card itself is fascinating.  At first blush, it seems to be a card printed for use by two stations with the call signals of 2ATF of Pelham, New York (Killian V. R. Lansingh) and 1BAN of Wellesley, Massachusetts.  The latter call signal might seem to belong to a friend or acquaintance of Lansingh who shared the cost of printing the card.  That, however, was not the case.  Lansingh actually operated a second less powerful 100-Watts Ham Radio Station from a second location in Massachusetts.  According to the same Department of Commerce source cited above, Lansingh operated the station at  245 Bellevue Street (actually the address blacked out on the QSL Card) in Newtown, Massachusetts.  See id., pp. 9 & 28.  The card, with the blacked-out 245 Bellevue Street address, indicates the station as located at 18 Abbott Street (about 11 miles away).  

The logo design at the top of the card shows that Lansingh was a member of ARRL (American Radio Relay League, a worldwide organization of amateur radio operators founded in 1914).  Beneath the log is the reference "QRK?"  Posed as a question, this is a reference to the "QRK" signal reporting codes for use in Morse Code / wireless telegraphy.  It is, in effect, the question "What is the intelligibility of my signals?"

Oddly, although the Federal Government listed Lansingh's Pelham station as 500 Watts, on the QSL Card he lists it as 200 Watts within the following reference:

"Receiver:  3 circuit eso step AF.
Transmitter:  200 watts input, CW [struck out] es
ICW, in Coup. Hart circuit.  
Usual QRH abt 75 m."

Lansingh closes his communication in two places with the reference "73's".  The number "73" in Morse Code is an old telegraph code that means "best regards" and is a regular part of the language of Ham Radio.  

This QSL Card provides a fascinating glimpse of an important time in the history of Pelham.  The Roaring Twenties were well underway.  Affluent Pelhamites were fascinated with the relatively new technology of radio broadcasting that was beginning to gain broad consumer acceptance.  Indeed, I have written about Pelham's fascination at the time with the new technology.  See:

Mon., May 22, 2017:  Early Radio in Pelham:  Pelham Firefighters and Business at Pelham Picture House Installed "Radiophone" in 1922.  

Thu., May 22, 2014:  The Earliest Days of Radio in the Town of Pelham. 

Wed., Jan. 22, 2014:  Pelham Becomes Enthralled with the New-Fangled Entertainment Medium of Radio.

Killian Van Rensselaer Lansingh, of course, went well beyond installing a simple radio receiver in his home.  He built two Ham Radio broadcast stations -- one in Pelham and one in Massachusetts.  He clearly was an early and avid Ham Radio enthusiast.  He was born in Chicago on April 3, 1902, a son of Van Rensselaer Killianse Lansingh and Marian Love Miner Lansingh.  He married Velma A. Ahlstrom on November 8, 1930.  They had three children.  He died at the age of 71 on May 16, 1973 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico of cardiac arrest during a bout of hypostatic pneumonia and is buried at Panteon Colonias, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.

Interestingly, only a few months after Lansingh sent this QSL Card, his Ham Radio station became somewhat controversial in the Town of Pelham.  At the time, radio receiver aficionados who were trying to listen to radio broadcasts were experiencing radio interference that made it difficult for them to pick up broadcasts on their expensive radio receivers.  Pelhamites began to point the finger at the Ham Radio broadcast station maintained by Lansingh on Elderwood Avenue.

By February, Lansingh had had enough of the accusations and wrote a letter to the Editor of The Pelham Sun.  Shortly thereafter, the newspaper published an article on the first page of its February 27, 1925 issue entitled "Radio Trouble In Pelham Not Due To Lansingh."  It turned out that shortly after Lansingh sent this QSL Card, he had returned to college as of January 4, 1925.  His transmitter had sat unused since that time while he was away at school, as the article explained.  The article further noted:

"Mr. Lansingh claims he suffers the same interference the others do in Pelham.  He suggests he would be glad to help any who believe they suffer due to undue interference if they will call him up when he is in Pelham.  Owners of single circuit receivers in Lansingh's opinion, not only have not done their share in getting rid of interference by using a sharp tuning receiver, but are causing a large share of the interference from which the other broadcast listeners suffer."

Recent Photograph of the Home at 226 Elderwood, Built in

1910, Where Killian Van Rensselaer Lansingh Maintained

Ham Radio Station 2ATF During the Mid-1920s.  NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"Radio Trouble In Pelham Not Due To Lansingh
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Transmitting Station On Elderwood Avenue Has Same Interference As Other Pelham Radio Operators
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Killian V. R. Lansingh of 226 Elderwood Avenue, Pelham, in a letter to the Pelham Sun, denies he is responsible for the large part of the interference suffered by Pelham radio broadcast listeners.  He has a radio transmitting station at his home, but tells us he has been away at college since January 4th, and his station was inoperative from that date until February 23rd.  

Mr. Lansingh claims he suffers the same interference the others do in Pelham.  He suggests he would be glad to help any who believe they suffer due to undue interference if they will call him up when he is in Pelham.

Owners of single circuit receivers in Lansingh's opinion, not only have not done their share in getting rid of interference by using a sharp tuning receiver, but are causing a large share of the interference from which the other broadcast listeners suffer."

Source:  Radio Trouble In Pelham Not Due To Lansingh -- Transmitting Station On Elderwood Avenue Has Same Interference As Other Pelham Radio Operators, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 27, 1925, Vol. 15, No. 52, p. 1, col. 3.  

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The Building Boom in Pelham in 1925 and 1926 at the Height of the Roaring Twenties

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The Great Depression was still years to come.  The American economy was humming along.  New York City and the surrounding region including one of the city's closest neighbors, the little Town of Pelham, were in the midst of major real estate and construction booms.  The Roaring Twenties were underway.

Historic Pelham has published a number of articles about Pelham's building boom during the Roaring Twenties.  For a few of many, many examples, see:

Fri., Aug. 14, 2015:  The Massive Real Estate Boom of the Roaring Twenties in the Little Town of Pelham.  

Fri., Mar. 02, 2018:  Construction of the Peldean Court Apartments on Fifth Avenue in 1922.

Fri., Apr. 13, 2018:  Plans in 1922 For Massive "Olgalorna" Apartment Complex Preceded Construction of Witherbee Court on the Same Site Overlooking Pelham Country Club.

In 1925, more construction occurred on the Village of Pelham Manor than ever before in its history.  Planned construction of the Hutchinson River Parkway was well underway.  Developments along Boston Post Road and Split Rock Road were in the planning stages as well. Homes were being built along much of the Esplanade, including sections near the Hutchinson River and Mount Vernon border.  Large neighborhood developments like the Beech Tree Lane section were in the planning stages.  Most significantly, large open tracts of land were becoming scarce in Pelham Manor as groups of one-family homes were "being developed on on a large building scale."  Additionally, major construction of industrial complexes, warehouse complexes, and garages was completed in 1925 in that area of Pelham Manor southwest of today's Hutchinson River Parkway in the area of today's Fairway Market and the associated shopping plaza.

A local newspaper report published in 1926 provided an apt summary of the magnitude of the construction boom in Pelham Manor including the following:

"[I]n many places, there is the appearance of a boom in the growth of the village, but this growth is carefully guarded by village officials so that the future housing situation in the village will not be disturbed.  Zoning and building ordinances are fully enforced, and the houses erected appeal to one's artistic sense and to one's desire for individuality.  Even where a group of 15 or 20 small homes are being erected by one concern in a limited area, each house has its own characteristics, and repetition of color, design or location is studiously avoided.

During the past year, the number of permits for dwellings alone was 118, representing a total of $1,724,593 in this field.  The total garage permits aggregated $15,040, while $29,180 was spent in alterations which in many cases meant the complete remodelling of an older dwelling.  Business building permits were issued to a total amount of $53,990.  The latter include a $16,000 warehouse and garage built by the Sinclair Refining company off the Boston Post road; a $12,000 storage development by the Westchester Lighting company off the Boston Post road; a $12,000 storage development by the Westchester Lighting company; the Mullins building with stores on Pelhamdale avenue, and several small offices and other business buildings of a small type outside the residential districts and on the outward edges of the village.  The interior parts of the village have been religiously guarded against business invasion.

Among the large residential developments in this village is the creation of Pelham Gardens, with 45 small homes, by the Altieri company.  Building in Pelham Manor has been directed along substantial lines, with a view to continuing the prestige of the village as a residential place for the home-owner.  In other parts of the village, the Pelham Realty company is also constructing groups of small homes in artistic units."

The real estate boom of the mid-twenties was so substantial that a real estate section in The Daily Argus published in Mount Vernon included a two-page article with photographs and advertisements describing the huge building boom in Pelham.  The entire article and many of the photographs and advertisements are included below as part of today's Historic Pelham article.

"Construction has been started on Pelham Gables, above, at Sixth avenue

and Fourth street, North Pelham, and this newest apartment will cost about

$400,000.  Excavation for the structure was started last week."  Source:

TREMENDOUS BUILDING BOOM EXPERIENCED IN PELHAM HGTS,

The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and

Building Edition, Pelham Page 2, cols. 1-8.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"WITHERBEE COURT -- Pelham Manor, New York"

Source:  TREMENDOUS BUILDING BOOM EXPERIENCED IN

PELHAM HGTS, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926,

1926 Realty and Building Edition, Pelham Page 2, cols. 1-8.  NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge.

"'Peldean Court,' one of the John T. Brook attractive dwellings on

Fifth avenue, North Pelham."  Source:  TREMENDOUS BUILDING

BOOM EXPERIENCED IN PELHAM HGTS, The Daily Argus [Mount

Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition, Pelham

Page 2, cols. 1-8.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"OWN YOUR OWN HOME --and be Happy-- 

IN PELHAM"  Source:  TREMENDOUS BUILDING

BOOM EXPERIENCED IN PELHAM HGTS, The Daily Argus [Mount

Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition, Pelham

Page 2, cols. 1-8.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"Among the handsomest school buildings in the state!  That is the

opinion of persons who have visited the enlarged Pelham Memorial

high school.  The new wing which doubles the former seating

capacity, was completed some months ago."  Source:

Great Progress Is Also Seen In The Pelhams -- BUILDING PERMITS

ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925, The Daily Argus [Mount

Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition,

Pelham Page 1, cols. 1-8.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"PELHAM The Most Beautiful of Suburban Towns."  Source:

Great Progress Is Also Seen In The Pelhams -- BUILDING PERMITS

ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925, The Daily Argus [Mount

Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition,

Pelham Page 1, cols. 1-8.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"This is 'Pelnord Court,' located on Fifth avenue, North Pelham."  Source:

Great Progress Is Also Seen In The Pelhams -- BUILDING PERMITS

ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925, The Daily Argus [Mount

Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition,

Pelham Page 1, cols. 1-8.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"Here Is YOUR Chance!"  Source:

Great Progress Is Also Seen In The Pelhams -- BUILDING PERMITS

ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925, The Daily Argus [Mount

Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition,

Pelham Page 1, cols. 1-8.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"'Pelbrook Hall,' another attractive type of apartment house in North

Pelham."  Source:  Great Progress Is Also Seen In The Pelhams -- BUILDING

PERMITS ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925, The Daily Argus [Mount

Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition,

Pelham Page 1, cols. 1-8.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"Great Progress Is Also Seen In The Pelhams
-----
BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925
-----

Including the new Witherbee Court apartments at a probable estimated value of $350,000, building permits representing $2,172,803 in building operations were issued in Pelham Manor during the last yer, up to January 1, 1926.  A total of 161 permits were issued during this period by former Building Inspector William Templeton and by Arthur Telford, present building inspector, who has been holding thaat office during the greater part of the last year.

These permits represent various types of building construction, including apartments, private dwellings, private garage, and a few scattered business and small office structures.  The greatest trend of building construction has been in the erection of private residences, which is naturally in keeping with Pelham Manor's renown and an exclusively residential section.  The only large apartment development of the past year has been the Witherbee Court improvement.  

More building has been going on during the past year in this village than at any time in its history, and in view of the projected developments along the Boston Post road, and in the vicinity of Split Rock road, the coming year will probably seem an even greater increase of prosperity in this line.  The construction of the Hutchinson Parkway through the latter section is expected to be a great contributory factor for the future growth of this end of the village.

New buildings are being constantly erected along the Esplanade toward the Mount Vernon side, and along Pelhamdale avenue.  In fact in many parts of the village are groups of one-family houses being erected, and open tracts of land becoming fewer and fewer, are being developed on a large building scale.  The result is that in many places, there is the appearance of a boom in the growth of the village, but this growth is carefully guarded by village officials so that the future housing situation in the village will not be disturbed.  Zoning and building ordinances are fully enforced, and the houses erected appeal to one's artistic sense and to one's desire for individuality.  Even where a group of 15 or 20 small homes are being erected by one concern in a limited area, each house has its own characteristics, and repetition of color, design or location is studiously avoided.

During the past year, the number of permits for dwellings alone was 118, representing a total of $1,724,593 in this field.  The total garage permits aggregated $15,040, while $29,180 was spent in alterations which in many cases meant the complete remodelling of an older dwelling.  Business building permits were issued to a total amount of $53,990.  The latter include a $16,000 warehouse and garage built by the Sinclair Refining company off the Boston Post road; a $12,000 storage development by the Westchester Lighting company off the Boston Post road; a $12,000 storage development by the Westchester Lighting company; the Mullins building with stores on Pelhamdale avenue, and several small offices and other business buildings of a small type outside the residential districts and on the outward edges of the village.  The interior parts of the village have been religiously guarded against business invasion.

Among the large residential developments in this village is the creation of Pelham Gardens, with 45 small homes, by the Altieri company.  Building in Pelham Manor has been directed along substantial lines, with a view to continuing the prestige of the village as a residential place for the home-owner.  In other parts of the village, the Pelham Realty company is also constructing groups of small homes in artistic units.

A projected development of which more is expected to be heard during the coming year is the recent announcement that 150 homes may be constructed in a new realty project on land at Split Rock road and Boston Post road, overlooking the Hutchinson Parkway.

The proposed elimination of the Pelham sewage disposal plant in the Mount Tom section [sic] of Pelham Manor, through which the Hutchinson Parkway is to pass, will open up another tract of land for possible development in the near future.  The elimination of this plant along with the development of the parkway project, and the construction of a sewer through this section would open up a large tract of land for development in Pelham Manor at the westerly end of the Esplanade.

The present tendency, however, seems to be toward the development of unoccupied tracts of land in the more improved parts of the village, wherever such tracts or plots can be found.  Small one-family houses ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 seem to be the most popular form of building here.  Quite often a more pretentious home is put up at a considerably higher cost, but in general, the newest residences here are of the six and seven room type, generally in various forms of stucco or brick construction, artistically designed and executed.

The following are the building permits issued by Building Inspector Arthur Telford and former Inspector William Templeton in Pelham Manor during the past year, including some of those issued to date:

Robert Mullins, dwelling, Townsend avenue, $18,000, January 3; George S. Douglas and Walter E. Hall, dwelling, Boston Post road, $10,500, January 8; Florence Thomas, dwelling, Rochelle Terrace, $10,000, January 8; E. Henderson and C. Christensen, dwelling and garage, Iden avenue and Carol place, $9,000, January 17; Bonmar Development corporation, dwelling and garage, 14 Bonmar road, $20,000, February 2; William Templeton and Son, dwelling and garage, Siwanoy place, $12,000, February 16; William Templeton and son, dwelling and garage, Siwanoy place, $12,000, February 16; H. A. and H. R. Swift, dwelling and garage, Hunter avenue, $8,000, February 18; E. B. Horgan, garage, Monterey avenue and Pelhamdale avenue, $475, February 21; Wynnewood Gardens, Inc., dwelling and garage, Wynnewood road, $10,000, February 21; Morton R. Cross, alterations, 997 Edgewood avenue, $3,500, February 24; T. Nelson Word, dwelling, Mount Tom road, $18,000, February 25; Charles B. Bloemecke, dwelling, Edgemere street, $6,500, February 25; A. R. Schulze, dwelling, Townsend avenue, $9,000, February 25; Sinclair Refining company, warehouse and garage, off Boston Post road, $16,000, February 25.

Thomas L. McCready, dwelling and garage, corner Grant avenue and Terrace place, $16,000, March 3; Gunnar Windfors, dwelling and garage, Grant avenue, $8,000, March 7; James C. McGovern, dwelling and garage, corner Francis street and Suburban avenue, $13,000, March 7; W. E. Hall and G. E. Douglas, dwelling and garage, Boston road, $13,000, March 14; A. F. Harmett, garage, Clay avenue, $600, March 14; Thomas L. McCready, dwelling and garage, corner Grant and Union avenues, $10,000, March 18; R. M. Mullins, dwelling, Grant avenue, $18,000, March 25; Thomas H. Jensen, dwelling and garage Windsor place, $8,000, March 25; Paul Vione, dwelling and garage, Park Lane, $35,000, March 25; Mrs. L. F. Carillo, garage, 400 Pelhamdale avenue, $475, March 25; W. D. Strack, alterations, 1019 Esplanade, $5,500, March 25; Westchester Improvement corporation, dwelling and garage, Bowman road, $10,000, March 25; Herkier Inc., dwelling and garage, Esplanade and Wolf's lane, $15,000, March 25; L. H. Austin, dwelling, Esplanade, $45,000, March 30; Leo Sullivan, dwelling, Windsor place, $9,500, March 30.

Joseph P. Ryan, dwelling and garage, Timpson street and Esplanade, $9,500, April 6; Helen C. Salch, office, 4340 Boston Post road, $250, April 6; Lester D. Nott garage and alterations, 426 Rochelle Terrace, $2,500, April 6; E. G. Barrow, garage, Pelhamdale avenue and Mount Tom road, $500, April 7; Marcella C. Craven, dwelling and garage, Hudson street, $17,800, April 13; Emily Marshall, dwelling and garage, Hudson street, $17,800, April 13; Emily Marshall, dwelling and garage, Hudson street, $17,800 April 13; Guy C. Mariner, Inc., dwelling, Colonial and Highbrook avenues, $25,000, April 13; Gertrude Thomas, dwelling, James street and Sherwood avenues, $14,000, April 13; Harry S. Haupt, garage, Black street, $1,500, April 14; Harry S. Haupt, garage, Esplanade and Black street, $1,500, Apirl 14; Harry S. Haupt, garage, Pelhamdale avenue and Black street, $1,500, April 14; F. R. Selleck, garage, 4 Stellar avenue, $490, Apirl 21; Eliza Martucci, dwelling, Hunter avenue, $7,000, April 21; Livinston Leeds, dwelling, Townsen avenue, $22,000, April 21; J. F. Patten, garage, Esplanade, $1,800, April 21; August Ackerman, garage, 473 Wolf's lne, $400, April 23; Mr. Dawson, garage, 100 Pelham Manor road, $500, April 28; Coal and Transfer Co., coal screen, Pelham Parkway, $1,000, April 28; Jocelyn Realty Co. Inc., dwelling, Peace street, $17,000, April 28; Peter Rhynas, dwelling and garage, Wolf's lane, $14,000, April 28.

Boualt Realty Co. Inc., garage, Lawrence place, $100, May 6; Boualt Realty Co., 4 garages, James street, at $100 each, May 6; Thomas J. Good dwelling and garage, Highbrook and Townsend avenues, $17,000, May 6; Alfonso Faganni, dwelling, Jackson avenue, $18,000, May 6; Ubald Landry, dwelling and garage, Plymouth street, $13950, May 6; Pelham Country club, alterations, Boston Post road, $1,500, May 6; Charles Bloemecke, dwelling, Edgemere place, $6,500, May 9; Mrs. Mildred L. Hamblen, alterations, Fowler avenue, $1,600, May 9; Jocelyn Realty Co., dwelling, Peace street, $22,000, :May 12; Deborah E. Wagner, alterations, Iden avenue and Carol place, $3,500, May 12; J. Charles Albrecht, dwelling, Carol place, $14,700, May 12; John Butcher, garage, Washington avenue, $1,000, May 16; Guy C. Mariner, Inc., dwelling, Heywood road, $30,000, May 16; Charles B. Bloemecke, garage, Edgemere place, $400, May 16; Groll Riding school, garage, Rosedale avenue $400, May 16; Charles B. Bloemecke, garage, Townsend avenue, $12,500, May 21; Charles B. Bloemecke, dwelling, Townsend avenue, $12,500, May 21; Harold A. Swift, dwelling, Grant avenue and Edgemere place, $9,493, May 26; Felix T. Hughes, dwelling, Heywood road, $27,500, May 28.

Pelham Manor Realty Corp., four dwellings and garages, Washington avenue, at $10,000 each, June 1; John T. Snyder, dwelling, corner Witherbee avenue and Pelham Manor road, $75,000, June 2; Peter Rhynas, garage, Wolf's lane, $700, June 4; Pelham Manor Realty Co., dwelling corner Monroe and Clay avenues, $10,000, June 4; Harry Babock, dwelling, Grant avenue and Union street, $9,300, June 4; W. E. Reyer, dwelling and garage, Esplanade and Hogen street, $38,000, June 4.

T. Pierce, dwelling, Boston road, $22,000, July 8; H. J. C. Miller, dwelling, corner Monterey avenue and Mitchill place, $18,000, July 10; Acarfilm Corp., portable factory, Boston road, $340, July 6; Alfonzo Faganni, dweling, Esplanade, $16,000, July 11; Pelham Manor Realty corporation, four dwellings, Hunter avenue, at $10,000 each, July 10; Edward Hehre, dwelling, James street, $12,000; Lincoln Randall, dwelling, Colonial avenue, $10,000; Hugh J. Smallem, dwelling, Washington avenue, $12,000; Pelham Manor Realty company, six dwellings, Clay avenue, at $10,000 each; Westchester Lighting company, storage land, at the Lighting plant, $12,000; Witherbee Court corporation, apartment.  Wynnewood road; Gunnar Lindfors, dwelling, Union street, $8,000; Pelham Manor Realty company, seven dwellings, Pelham Manor gardens, at $10,000 each.

John Smith, dwelling, Rockledge drive, $45,000; L. Harreld, dwelling, Hunter avenue, $10,000; Pelham Manor Summer home, dwelling, Split Rock road, $1,600; Matteo Bortone, dwelling, Pelhamdale and Monterey avenues, $16,000; Edgewood Avenue Realty company, alterations, Edgewood avenue, $9,000; Charles B. Bloemecke, garage, Edgemere place, $250; Lawrence Wardrop, garage, Edgemere place, $450; Bradley Randall, dwelling, Park lane, $20,000; Norman E. Donnelly, dwelling, Iden and Pelhamdale avenues, $8,500; Charles B. Bloemecke, dwelling, Monroe street, $7,600; Mrs. Huittenberg, alterations, Split Rock road, $800; Angelina Nordone, two dwellings, Murray street, at $10,000 each; Guy C. Mariner, garage, Heywood road, $890; Elsie Nybern, dwelling, Terrace place, $12,000.

Pelham Manor Realty company, dwelling, Garden road and Garden place, $10,000; Pelham Manor Realty company, four dwellings, Garden place and Washington avenues, $10,000 each, September 15; William J. Bloemecke, dwelling, Monroe street, $5,000, September 17; J. George Costello, dwelling, Ely avenue, $2,000, September 25; Gertrude Thomas, dwelling, James street, $13,000, September 25; Max Block, dwelling, Wolf's lane, $18,000, September 26; Emily Marshall, dwelling, Hudson street, $14,450.

Pelham Manor Realty company, two dwellings, at $10,000 each; Pel-
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Continued on Other Pelham Page

GREAT PROGRESS IS ALSO SEEN IN THE PELHAMS
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BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925
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Continued from First Pelham Page
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ham Manor Realty company, dwelling, Monroe street and Garden road, $10,000; Pelham Manor Realty company, dwelling, Garden Place, $10,000; Pelham Manor Realty company, dwelling, Monroe street, $10,000; Robert M. Mullins, stores, Pelhamdale avenue, $20,000; Ellen R. Cottrell, alterations, Highland avenue, $680; Samuel W. Bradley, dwelling, Monroe street, $8,000; C. O. Jackson, dwelling, Edgewood avenue, $22,000; Thomas Good, dwelling, Peace street, $11,000; E. W. Siedler, dwelling, Rochelle Terrace, $11,000; Guy C. Mariner, dwelling, Country Club lane, $12,500; Theodore M. Hill, garage, Highland avenue, $900; George Jeffers, dwelling, Mount Tom road, $65,000; J. A. Lehman, dwelling, Hunter avenue, $11,000; Lillian Bonothal, dwelling, Esplanade, $14,500; Lawrence Wardrop, dwelling, Grant avenue, $8,900; Clifford Wiehman, dwelling, Monterey avenue, $58,000; Antonio Longo, dwelling, Monterey avenue, $20,000; Coal, and Transfer Co., office, Secor lane, $4,4000.

The following are among the permits issued during the last month; Livingston Leeds, dwelling, Jackson avenue, $20,000; Fish and Marvin office, Boston road and Pelhamdale avenue, $4,000; Jocelyn Realty Co., two garages, Peace street, $480 each; W. B. Landay, dwelling, Plymouth street, $16,400; Gunnar Lindfors, dwelling, Union street, $7,000."

Source:  Great Progress Is Also Seen In The Pelhams -- BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition, Pelham Page 1, cols. 1-8 & Pelham Page 2, cols. 1-2.  

"TREMENDOUS BUILDING BOOM EXPERIENCED IN PELHAM HGTS
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Although the village of Pelham Heights has become pretty well established, new homes are being constantly erected here, wherever there is an undeveloped plot.  In this village, there has been not rapid or 'mush-room' growth in late building development, but rather, Pelham has grown in a sensible, staple manner.  The village of Pelham is regarded as a section meant for residence only, and these residences re limited to better homes of the one-family type only.

Large apartments which are becoming a feature of almost every home community are zoned against in the residential sections of Pelham Heights.  Late building developments in Pelham have tended, as in North Pelham, Pelham Manor and other residential communities, toward a single-family structure, artistic in appearance and permanent in construction.  Some of the older residences have been constructed along more palatial lines, and even today, some of the newer homes are of a size and type indicative of wealth and stability.

During January alone, building permits representing more than $100,000 were issued by Building Inspector Harry B. Mulliken.  Most of the buildings in this group are to be erected by Frederick Jockell, whose investments will total $80,000, according to these permits.  These are among the newest developments in Pelham Heights, and consist of four 2 1/2 story dwellings to be erected in various parts of the village.

During this month and the last few days of January, however, no permits were issued for any other large developments in Pelham aside from permits for minor purposes.  Hence the amount of building during the early part of the year is not expected to be the same through every month of the year.  Building in the more developed parts of the village is bound to be sporadic and isolated, in view of the fact that Pelham Heights is pretty well built up.  

Other late developments include a group of small artists and attractive stucco homes on Ancon avenue, which add to the prestige of Pelham as a village of fine homes, 2 1/2 stories, bordering the new Hutchinson Parkway at Sparks avenue.  These were recently completed by the Twentieth Century Homes, Inc., this place being developed by Manning Stires as 'Manning Terrace.'  There are nine attractive homes in this group, a frame or stucco construction.

The construction of the Hutchinson Parkway through this section  will probably result in the construction of several more small homes at the end of the village, wherever there are undeveloped plots.

The future promises a great change along Wolf's lane, however.  The widening of this street has brought with it the forecast that Wolf's lane will one day be the main business center of this section, as a continuation of the business district along Fifth avenue in North Pelham.  An indication of what it promises to become is shown by the reconstruction of the old Orlando building by the John T. Brook company.  The remodeled building will be known as Pel Gables, and will be English in design, like Pelbrook Hall and Pelham apartments in North Pelham.  It will be a business and home building of an artistic type.  

The open ground along the westerly side of Wolf's lane will probably be open to business, rather than to residential development, and it is believed that within a few years, this part of Wolf's lane will see an unprecedented development along business lines, in continuation of the business places already established along this street near the New Haven station.

The largest single development in Pelham Heights during the coming year will be the new $290,000 school building to be erected on the present Colonial school will be one of the most modern in the town of Pelham, and will be in harmony with the residents in that section.  Starrett and Van Vleck architects, were last week commissioned to draw up plans and specifications for the new school, along Colonial lines of architecture.  Bids are to be advertised for this week to get a wrecking concern that will pay for taking down the present school building, and taking away the material in it."

Source:  TREMENDOUS BUILDING BOOM EXPERIENCED IN PELHAM HGTS, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition, Pelham Page 2, cols. 1-8.

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Plans in 1922 For Massive "Olgalorna" Apartment Complex Preceded Construction of Witherbee Court on the Same Site Overlooking Pelham Country Club

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It was a grand scheme!  Pelham real estate was just beginning to explode in value as the Roaring Twenties took off in 1922.  A New York City developer planned to build a massive Tudor Revival apartment complex along Wynnewood Avenue and Boston Post Road to be called the "Olgalorna."  The developer used Pelham architect George F. Pelham to begin preparation of plans.  

A breathless Announcement that appeared in the September 29, 1922 issue of The Pelham Sun.  It said, in part:

"A two million dollar apartment house, at the entrance to the Pelham Country Club, housing one hundred and thirty families, and claimed by its sponsors to surpass in appointment, accommodation, and size, anything of its kind in the world, will be constructed in Pelham Manor by the Olgalorna Realty Corporation, of 200 72d street, New York City, according to the statement of architect, George F. Pelham, made to the Pelham Manor Village Board, Monday night."

The massive complex was never built.  Instead, the beautiful but somewhat smaller apartment building we know today as Witherbee Court was built by different developers on the site and opened in 1926.  What happened to the original plans?

The developer that planned the complex was Olgalorna Realty Corporation.  F. S. Francis, of New York City, was president.  The building was to carry the corporation name of the firm, "The Olgalorna."  The same report quoted above described the planned complex in glowing terms:

"The structure will be six stories high on the Boston road end, and eight on the Country Club end.  The floors will be divided into apartments of from four to eight rooms and three baths.  The basement floors, will house an immense oil-burning heating plant, steam-drying laundry facilities, servants quarters, an immense ballroom and fully equipped gymnasium.  On the roof will be a children's play yard, fully enclosed, for safety, and a handball court.  In the rear will be a tennis court that can be flooded in winter for a skating rink."

The proposal, however, languished for nearly six weeks without action by the Pelham Manor Board of Trustees.  The developer began to agitate for a "tentative" decision from the Board, claiming that its "investors" were only willing to provide the necessary funding if a "tentative" decision could be released by the Trustees.  

Not only did the trustees not budge, but also questions arose over whether the planned development complied with local laws and whether it would be appropriate to approve such a large project that the developer said would be "semi-fireproof" rather than fully fireproof.  Finally, during a Pelham Manor Board of Trustees meeting held on December 18, 1922, the Board announced that "it would not favor any non-fireproof buildings of greater height than four stories."  

Plans for the project failed to materialize and, soon, the property changed hands and a different developer named George G. Duffy began construction of the complex we know today as Witherbee Court.  

Architectural Rendering by George F. Pelham Showing Planned

Olgalorna Tudor Revival Apartment Complex Once Planned for

the Site of Today's Witherbee Court.  Original Newspaper Marked

in Crayon for Newspaper Purposes.  Source:  $2,000,000 Apartment House For Manor --

George H. Pelham, Architect For Immense Building To Be Erected on Boston Road at

Pelham Country Club Entrance, Seeks Permit and Files Plans For Structure -- Will Be Last

Word In Up-to-Date Accomodations [sic] and Will Rent at $ [Illegible] a Room.-- Village

Board of Trustees Holds Up Issuance of Permit Until Sure That Project Does Not Conflict

With Building Code, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 29, 1922, p. 3, cols. 2-7. 

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"Witherbee Court Apartment Building, Pelham Manor.  Financed by

S. W. Straus & Co.  Charles G. Duffy Associates, Architects and Builders."

Architectural Rendering Showing Proposed Complex from Wynnewood

Road.  Source: HIGH-CLASS APARTMENTS BEING ERECTED IN THE SUBURBS,

N.Y. Times, Jun. 28, 1925, Sec. 11 [Real Estate Section], p. 1, cols. 6-8.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Witherbee Court Apartment Building Seen From Wynnewood Road.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"$2,000,000 Apartment House For Manor
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George H. Pelham, Architect For Immense Building To Be Erected on Boston Road at Pelham Country Club Entrance, Seeks Permit and Files Plans For Structure -- Will Be Last Word In Up-to-Date Accomodations [sic] and Will Rent at $[Illegible] a Room.
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Village Board of Trustees Holds Up Issuance of Permit Until Sure That Project Does Not Conflict With Building Code
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A two million dollar apartment house, at the entrance to the Pelham Country Club, housing one hundred and thirty families, and claimed by its sponsors to surpass in appointment, accommodation, and size, anything of its kind in the world, will be constructed in Pelham Manor by the Olgalorna Realty Corporation, of 200 72d street, New York City, according to the statement of architect, George F. Pelham, made to the Pelham Manor Village Board, Monday night.

The Olgalorna Realty Corporation is a new name to Pelham, and as far as could be learned has no local connections.  F. S. Francis, of New York City, is president.  The building will carry the corporation name of the firm, 'The Olgalorna.'

The structure, which will be erected on the south side of the Boston road, at Wynnewood road, a fronting on the first tee of the Pelham Country Club, will be of brick, following the Tudor design, as is used in other buildings of Mr. Pelham's design, such as the Pelbrook and Peldean in North Pelham.  The colossal apartment house will have every modern improvement in apartment house construction.  It will be of semi-fireproof construction as is used in building of modern New York City apartment houses.  The halls, stairways and elevator shafts will be of such fireproof construction that if the building were gutted by fire these portions would stand even if the rest of the building was burned.

The structure will be six stories high on the Boston road end, and eight on the Country Club end.  The floors will be divided into apartments of from four to eight rooms and three baths.  The basement floors, will house an immense oil-burning heating plant, steam-drying laundry facilities, servants quarters, an immense ballroom and fully equipped gymnasium.  On the roof will be a children's play yard, fully enclosed, for safety, and a handball court.  In the rear will be a tennis court that can be flooded in winter for a skating rink.

Every room will have windows opening on a wide court.  Electric refrigerators will be installed in all kitchens.  Garage accommodations will be constructed at a place over the New Rochelle line.

The property was purchased from the Witherbee estate and the Pelham Country Club through Fish & Marvin, who have been making negotiations for the Olgalorna Company for some time.  It was only after several other portions of land had been rejected that the proposed site was decided upon.  Fish & Marvin will act as the company's agents in the rents of the apartments after it is completed.

Mr. Pelham stated that the corporation was ready to start operations on the structure, within a month after the issuance of the permit, and that the building would be completed within seven months to a year after operations were started.

There was no permit issued by the Pelham Manor Village Board, Monday night, as it was thought better to thoroughly consult the building code and then report to Mr. Pelham.  Village Attorney, Edgar C. Beecroft, stated, however, that in his opinion there would be little difficulty in the proposed building conforming with the building code and zoning ordinance."

Source:  $2,000,000 Apartment House For Manor -- George H. Pelham, Architect For Immense Building To Be Erected on Boston Road at Pelham Country Club Entrance, Seeks Permit and Files Plans For Structure -- Will Be Last Word In Up-to-Date Accomodations [sic] and Will Rent at $ [Illegible] a Room.-- Village Board of Trustees Holds Up Issuance of Permit Until Sure That Project Does Not Conflict With Building Code, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 29, 1922, p. 3, cols. 2-7.  

"THE DAILY NEWS OF The Pelhams
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Pelham Manor . . .
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OFFICIALS FAVOR ERECTION OF $2,000,000 APARTMENT?

Although there is said to be a prejudice against the erection of apartments in the village, the village board is inclined to favor the erection of the proposed new $2,000,000 Olgalorna apartments, the plans for which have been filed for their approval. . . ."

Source:  THE DAILY NEWS OF The Pelhams -- Pelham Manor -- OFFICIALS FAVOR ERECTION OF $2,000,000 APARTMENT?, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 10, 1922, p. 18, col. 2.  

"Wants Ogalorna Apartment House Plans Approved
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Fred H. [sic] Pelham, architect of the big Ogalorna apartment house on Boston Road near Pelham Country Club, made a request to the Pelham Manor trustees on Monday that the plans as presented be approved officially.

Knowing the high class residential character of Pelham Manor and its antipathy toward apartment houses, some investors are loath to enter into the new deal unless assured that the plans are approved by the local authority.  The plans were taken under advisement to see if they are in entire harmony with building code."

Source:  Wants Ogalorna Apartment House Plans Approved, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 3, 1922, p. 4, col. 3.  

"More Than Four Stories Must Be Fireproof
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Pelham Architect So Advised When He Asks Approval of Plans For Big Apartment
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The sponsors of the Olgalorna, Pelham Manor's proposed $2,000,000 apartment house, are not going to see the smooth sailing they expected in gaining a permit from the Pelham Manor Village Board.  The Board put on record, Monday night, that it would not favor any non-fireproof buildings of greater height than four stories.  The Olgalorna plans and specifications call for a six-story building of semi-fireproof construction.

George F. Pelham, the architect of the Olgalorna Realty Company, addressed a communication to the Board and stated that the financing of the proposition has reached a point where the Board's tentative approval of the plans is necessary before anything more is done.

Village Clerk Leeds was authorized to communicate with the architect and inform him of the Board's decision."

Source:  More Than Four Stories Must Be Fireproof -- Pelham Architect So Advised When He Asks Approval of Plans For Big Apartment, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 22, 1922, p. 12, col. 2.

"HIGH-CLASS APARTMENTS BEING ERECTED IN THE SUBURBS
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THE demand for suburban property is one of the strongest features of the present realty market.  

This is not only true of the territory adjacent to Manhattan, but of the entire country.

American cities are expanding rapidly in their residential areas.

A survey by the National Association of Real Estate Boards finds the market for subdivisions showing even greater activity than the lively market of last year.

Demand for single-family dwellings is the strongest impulse of the real estate market in 157 of the 225 cities reporting.

In eighty-nine of the cities the demand four city lots for residence sites is leading the market.

Demand for suburban lots leads in sixty-four of the cities:  this demand is greatest, of course, in the larger cities.  

Demand for business property is at the head of the market in fifty of the cities reporting.

The reports also show a greater stabilization of rents than has been indicated in any previous survey conducted by the association, and a steady progress of American cities in overcoming the building shortage left by the war.

Sixty-seven of the 225 cities reported overbuilding in some form.  A remaining shortage of dwellings was reported by 32 per cent, of the cities, a shortage of apartments by 29 per cent. and a shortage of business structures by 25 per cent.

High-class suburban apartments within easy commuting distance of Manhattan are in great demand.

This is shown by the fact that hundreds of them have been built in the metropolitan area during the past twelve or fifteen months.

The majority of them have been completely leased before completion.

$500,000 Apartment House for Pelham Manor.

If Thomas Pell, the Lord of Pelham Manor, in the Bronx [sic], who in 1654 paid the Indians a few hundred dollars for 10,000 [sic] acres of land on Pelham Bay, could come back today and see his old property selling for $50,000 an acre, to men who are building apartment houses worth $500,000 and more, he would indeed realize that the Indians were not very good judges of the value of land near New York City.

The increase in land values in Pelham is equally surprising, when it is realized that the value of the 1 3/4-acre site for the Witherbee Court Apartment building has increased in the 280 years from 3 cents to $50,000 per acre.

George G. Duffy, engineer and builder, who is erecting the Witherbee Court Apartment Building, adjoining and overlooking the Pelham Country Club and golf course, expects to derive a rental of more than $53,000 per year from the suites in this building, probably more money than Lord Pell ever had, despite his vast landed possessions in America.

The new development was financed by S. W. Straus & Co., who have underwritten an issue of $425,000 first mortgage 6 per cent. sinking fund coupon gold bonds, secured by the land and building.  The structure was designed by Charles G. Duffy Associates.

The garage, with space for one car for each tenant, will form a decorative terrace in the front of the building.  There will be a large garden and fountain in front of the garage and the cars will enter and leave from the sides via a wide semicircular drive.

At both ends of the building there will be suites on the ground level, looking on gardens, and the suites on the fifth floor will have story and a half living rooms overlooking Pelham Bay. . . ."

Source:  HIGH-CLASS APARTMENTS BEING ERECTED IN THE SUBURBS, N.Y. Times, Jun. 28, 1925, Sec. 11 [Real Estate Section], p. 1, cols. 1-8.  

"In Retrospect
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Ten Years Ago

Announce plans for $2,000,000 apartment house on Wynnewood road overlooking Pelham Country Club in Pelham Manor.  New building will be known as the 'Olgalorna.'  (ed. note - This plan failed to materialize until a few years later when Witherbee Court was built on the site). . . ."

Source:  In Retrospect -- Ten Years Ago, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 30, 1932, p. 2, col. 7.

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