Pelham Post No. 50, American Legion, Had Option to Buy Pelhamdale in 1945

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Only two pre-Revolutinary War structures remain standing in Pelham.  The first is the so-called Kemble House located at 145 Shore Road.  The wing on the left of the home (when seen from Shore Road) is the original part of the home built between about 1750 and 1760.  The other pre-Revolutionary War home is known as "Pelhamdale."  Located at 45 Iden Avenue, it is on the National Register of Historic Places.  The lower level of the home on what is now the rear of the structure is the original part of the home that also was built between about 1750 and 1760.  Today's Historic Pelham article describes efforts by Pelham Post 50, American Legion to purchase Pelhamdale for use as a clubhouse in 1945 and 1946.  

Rumors began to swirl in the little Town of Pelham in the spring of 1945 that the local American Legion post wanted to buy the home known as Pelhamdale on Iden Avenue.  The home was on the market after the death of W.W. Taylor.  It was for sale by his estate.

At the time, Pelhamdale was somewhat run-down.  Knowing that the structure was on the market, all of Pelham feared the historic home might be demolished and replaced with several smaller homes on the same property.  Pelham Post 50, American Legion stepped up to do its patriotic duty.  

On May 17, 1945, the Chairman of the post's Building Committee, Frederick C. Genz, announced to members of the post recommended that the post purchase Pelhamdale and remodel it for use as an American Legion clubhouse.  With so many young men of Pelham returning from the war (and expected to return from the war), members of the post felt that something patriotic should be done to support such returning veterans.  They wanted to provide them with a lovely clubhouse for entertainment and gathering purposes.  There even was talk about permitting its use as a USO canteen for a period of time.

It was as if the Pelham veterans had exploded a massive bomb in the midst of Town.  

Pelhamdale sat in a quiet residential enclave zoned only for single family residences.  Zoning ordinances would either have to be changed or a waiver would have to be provided by the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Within days nearby residents mobilized to do battle with Pelham Post 50.

A group of eighty nearby residents organized a protest against use of the historic home as a clubhouse.  A petition was circulated as part of the protest and the eighty residents signed it.  On Monday, June 18, 1945, Pelham Manor resident Percy J. Gaynor who lived on Carol Place near the historic home appeared before the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham Manor.  Representing the protesters, he presented the petition to the Board and demanded that the Board make no changes to the zoning laws that would allow any use of the structure other than as a private residence.  The Board demurred, saying that it had nothing before it related to the matter and that the issue would be addressed by the Zoning Board of Appeals rather than the Board.  Gaynor announced that his group immediately would file its petition with the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Pelham's battle-tested veterans appeared quickly to retreat.  In a matter of days, post Commander Daniel E. Brown told a reporter for The Pelham Sun that the post planned to abandon its plans to purchase Pelhamdale.  He said "Post 50 does not want to arouse antagonism in its plans."

Commander Brown's comments may have been a tactical feint.  It seems that the true reason for the comments may have been that the estate of W. W. Taylor had raised the price for the home by $20,000.  Commander Brown also told the reporter that the Building Committee was looking at three other possibilities:  (1) two floors in The Pelham Sun building at 89 Wolfs Lane; (2) a home on Pelhamdale Avenue; and (3) a home on Shore Road.

Far from abandoning their plans, for the next few months, members of Post 50 worked quietly behind the scenes to dampen opposition to those very plans.  First, the post acquired an option to purchase the property with an intent to use it for "patriotic purposes."  Next, the veterans met with owners of properties within 1,000 feet of the property (whose support would be required to obtain a zoning change or a variance).  The veterans provided nearby homeowners assurances that there would be no noise problems and that on street parking would be adequate.  

Neighbors would not be swayed.  Within days of the veterans' meetings with local landowners, an even bigger protest than the first one erupted.  This time, nearby homeowners prepared a petition signed by more than ninety of the 177 property owners who lived within 1,000 feet of the Pelhamdale property objecting to use of the home as a clubhouse and demanding that no change to, or variance from, the residential zoning ordinance be permitted.  The homeowners again appeared at a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham Manor on Monday, December 17, 1945.  According to one report, the homeowners  "demanded that any request for a variation of the zoning restrictions with regard to the Pell House property at Carol Place and Iden Avenue be rejected, and that they be notified if and when application for a change be made."

The very next day, the Commander of Pelham Post 50, Daniel E. Brown, was defiant.  He told a local reporter that "Post 50 was going right ahead with its plans, that it possessed a contract of sale for the Pell House property and that when the proper time arrived a petition for a variant use of the Pell House would be presented and it would then have sufficient signatures to ensure its approval.  He indicated that he was optimistic about the result."

The protests, however, continued as nearby neighbors battled the plan.  Only one month later, the battle-weary veterans of Pelham Post 50 surrendered and raised the white flag.  On January 21, 1946, Commander Daniel E. Brown announced that the post had "abandoned its efforts to secure Pell House in Pelham Manor as a clubhouse and is seeking another place."

The nearby neighbors, however, could not let down their guard.  Pelham residents throughout the town still feared the historic home known as Pelhamdale would be demolished to make room for several new houses on the lot.  A subscription initiative was begun to raise funds to purchase Pelhamdale and make it a public library for the Town of Pelham.  The neighbors renewed their vigorous fight.  Eventually, however, the initiative "fell through from lack of public interest."

It took two more years to resolve the uncertainty over the future of Pelhamdale.  Finally, in August, 1948 local newspapers reported that the estate of W. W. Taylor had sold Pelhamdale to Joseph Boucher, 2534 Woodhull Avenue, the Bronx.  Boucher intended to preserve the structure as a private residence.

The historic home known as Pelhamdale located in Historic Pelham would live to see another day.

Pelhamdale

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"14-Room Mansion To Become New Home Of Legion Post 50

PELHAM -- The long-cherished dream of a clubhouse for Pelham Post 50, American Legion, was brought nearer realization last night when the post instructed the building committee to complete arrangements for the purchase of a 14-room stone mansion, the Pell House, at Iden and Carol Avenues.

Frederick C. Genz, chairman of the Building Committee, last night gave a detailed description of the house and its advantages as a clubhouse following an inspection by the committee recently.  The house is one of the historic landmarks of Westchester, having been built before the Revolutionary War.

Plans for remodeling and decorating the mansion were discussed.  It was brought out that purchase of a clubhouse is particularly propitious at this time, when returning servicemen will wish to make use of its facilities.  The purchase is expected to be completed within the next few days.

Arrangements were furthered for a block party to take place Friday and Saturday, June 1 and 2, on Harmon Place, to raise money for the building fund.  It was pointed out that the block party will be held in the afternoon as well as the evening of Saturday, June 2.

Commander Daniel E. Brown presided."

Source:  14-Room Mansion To Become New Home Of Legion Post 50, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], May 18, 1945, p. 9, cols. 3-4.  

"Eighty Protest Proposal To Change 'Pell House' Site of Legion Post Club
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Percy J. Gaynor of Carol Place Pelham Manor headed a small delegation which presented a petition signed by 80 residents within the immediate neighborhood of the old Pell House to the Pelham Manor village trustees on Monday.  The signers registered objection to any contemplated change in the zoning laws to make the district one other than for private residences, as at present.

Mr. Gaynor said he had read in a daily newspaper that the negotiations for the purchase of the Pell House and its use as a clubhouse were in progress.  He made it clear that such use of the premises by any organization would change the character of the neighborhood from its present strictly residential character.

Mr. Gaynor asked the Board to receive the signed petition as an official recognition of the feelings of the residents in the vicinity of the Pell House.

Mayor C. Furnald Smith said that he understood that Pelham Post No. 50, American Legion, had thought of purchasing the Pell House and transforming it into a permanent headquarters for the war veterans, but nothing had yet come before the Board in its official capacity.  Any proposed change in the zoning of the district would have to go to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Mayor Smith said that Daniel Brown, Commander of Pelham Post, had told him it was the plan of Pelham Post 50 to improve the physical surroundings of the building and that there would not be a bar in the club.

'From any angle, it would be an improvement,' said Mayor Smith.  'The Pell House has an historical background and value and this seems to be the only way it can be preserved.  If a formal appeal to change the zoning laws is made, there will be an opportunity to be heard afforded to those who do not approve of a change.'  He suggested that the petition be given to Matthew G. Ely, chairman of the zoning board of appeals.

Another member of the delegation said that he did not see how a club could do without a bar.  'When the boys come back we don't want them to go to a clubhouse where there are many restrictions.  They will not want to have good times and enjoy themselves.'

Before withdrawing, Mr. Gaynor asked whether it was true that zoning laws of the village could not be changed with reference to Pell House unless the consent of 60 per cent. of the property owners within 1,000 feet of the building were obtained.  Mayor Smith said he believed it was so.

The delegation promised to file its petition with Matthew G. Ely, chairman of the zoning board of appeals."

Source:  Eighty Protest Proposal To Change 'Pell House' Site of Legion Post Club, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 14, 1945, No. 9, Vol. 36, p. 1, cols. 4-5.  

"Legion Abandons Plan to Remodel Pell House for Club; New Site Is Sought
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After a week-end conference with several persons who had promised to give major financial support to the efforts of Pelham Post No. 50, American Legion to obtain a permanent home for its activities, Daniel E. Brown, commander of the Post, on Monday evening told a Pelham Sun reporter that the plan to remodel the Old Pell House on Carol Place, Pelham Manor, had been definitely abandoned.

'The opposition of eighty nearby residents indicates that it would be difficult to obtain a change in the zoning.  Post 50 does not want to arouse antagonism in its plans.  Furthermore we have received notice that the price of the building has been advanced to $20,000 and that is another and more important reason why it has been decided to discuss other indications for the purchase or erection of a Legion building.'

Commander Brown mentioned several prospective sites.  The building at 89 Wolf's Lane, now owned by The Pelham Sun Publishing Company, was mentioned.  On the two floors above the street there are at present thirty unoccupied rooms.  The property is opposite the Memorial Park on which is erected the Honor Roll.  At the rear of Wolf's Lane is a large parking spot owned by the village to which access could be obtained from the rear of the building.  The lack of outdoor area is a handicap that must be considered.  

Among other proposals is a Shore Road location and one on Pelhamdale Avenue, as well as a more favored plan to build an entirely new and modern building properly equipped for a club for war veterans.

Commander Brown expressed a wish that the Legion clubhouse might be erected and be free from debt when it is opened for use, rather than erect a building which would be encumbered with a mortgage.

The definite abandonment of the Pell House plan will settle the controversy which has arisen among residents near to the site of the proposed Legion club.  At the monthly meeting of Pelham Manor trustees last week a petition signed by eighty nearby residents was presented.  It protested against any change of zoning laws in that locality.  It would be necessary to obtain a variance in the zoning laws in order to use the Pell House for any purpose other than a private residence.  

Source:  Legion Abandons Plan to Remodel Pell House for Club; New Site Is Sought, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 21, 1945, Vol. 36, No. 10, p. 1, cols. 3-4.  


"VETERANS WORKING TO STOP OPPOSITION TO PELL HOUSE SITE
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Have Secured Option on Historic Premises on Carol Place and Iden Avenue; Will Use It as Patriotic Center, If Consent to Variance of Zoning Restrictions Can Be Obtained.
-----

With opposition diminishing, Pelham Post No. 50, American Legion, hopes that it may soon be able to announce that the acquisition of the historic Pell House and plans for its transformation into a headquarters for patriotic effort in the Pelhams, has been carried out and the title to the property secured.

When negotiations for the purchase of the building were first announced, there was opposition from owners of nearby properties who professed to see in the new use of the big stone house, the probability of large crowds gathering there, with dances and concerts, almost nightly and the usual late-at-night hub-bub.

Rumors were circulated that it was intended to provide a U.S.O. Center, with hotel accommodations for returning veterans and that the probability of a noisy centre in the midst of a residential neighborhood would destroy value of nearby properties, because of a large number of parked cars in the vicinity.  

Before asking the Board of Trustees of Pelham Manor to issue the necessary permits for alteration of the premises and a hearing on the proposed change of zoning restrictions, delegates from Pelham Post 50, American Legion have been interviewing owners of properties within 1,000 feet of the building, it being necessary to obtain approval from sixty per cent. of them before submitting the proposal for a zoning change to the village trustees.

The Legion Post 50 has an option that can be exercised based on securing approval to the contemplated use of it by the new occupant from the neighboring taxpayers.  

The Pell House was once the residence of John Pell, a member of the family which founded Pelham.  It was used by General Lord Howe in 1776 as his headquarters when he commanded a British invading force during the Battle of Pell's Neck.  Some parts of the original building remain.  The Legion intends to remodel its interior and provide large parking space within the grounds, which overlook the Hutchinson River Parkway at Iden avenue and Carol Place.  A janitor will be the only permanent resident.

While signing the Legion's petition, a resident of Manor Lane said:  'It was because of our men who fought so well, that we are able to enjoy our homes in this community.  We were not attacked.  We did not know what destruction war can bring about.  Because of this and in a sense of appreciation of their service, I am in favor of signing this as a mark of appreciation.  I hope they will appreciate this privilege."

Source:  VETERANS WORKING TO STOP OPPOSITION TO PELL HOUSE SITE -- Have Secured Option on Historic Premises on Carol Place and Iden Avenue; Will Use It as Patriotic Center, If Consent to Variance of Zoning Restrictions Can Be Obtained, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 29, 1945, Vol. 36, No. 33, p. 1, cols. 1-2.  

"Protest Against Legion Plan to Invade Residential Area by Club at Pell House
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Proposed Remodeling of Historic Building Into Headquarters for Pelham Post No. 50, American Legion Brings Strong Objection from Neighboring Residents; Legionnaires Will Continue Plans for Acquiring Building and Seeking Approval from Required Majority of Neighborhood Property Owners.
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Armed with a petition purporting to bear the signatures of more than 90 of the 177 property owners within the zone of protest, a delegation of taxpayers appeared at the monthly meeting of the Village Trustees of Pelham Manor on Monday night and demanded that any request for a variation of the zoning restrictions with regard to the Pell House property at Carol Place and Iden Avenue be rejected, and that they be notified if and when application for a change be made.  To obtain sanction to the use of a building for other than residential purposes, the approval of two-thirds of the property owners within 1,000 feet from any part of the property must be obtained.

Pelham Post No. 50, American Legion has obtained a conditional sales agreement on the Pell House property and wish to use it as headquarters for Legion activities in the Pelhams.

To obtain the necessary signatures representatives of Pelham Post 50 have been interviewing property owners within the zone.

Donald Phillips of No. 479 Wolf's Lane, was spokesman for the delegation on Monday night.  He referred to the petition which was signed by taxpayers living adjacent to the Pell House property last summer when it first was rumored that the American Legion wishes to buy the property and transform it into a clubhouse.  When attempt was made to file the petition with the zoning board it was discovered that Post 50 had not made an application for a variance of zoning restrictions.  Now that the Legion activities have been resumed, and he had read in the Pelham Sun that Pelham Post 50 had obtained a contract for purchase of Pell House he wished to file the protest.

Mr. Phillips made himself clear that the delegation was protesting against the use of building for any other than residential purposes.  There was no objection to the Amerian Legion or to that organization having a clubhouse in the town somewhere else, but there was a feeling that the activities of any clubhouse in that location would be detrimental to the value of property and not serve the best interests of those living in the vicinity.  He claimed that the Board of Trustees of the Christian Science Churches had registered objection to the clubhouse which would be in the vicinity of the church.

Acting-Mayor Bieber told the delegation that the Zoning Board of Appeals had jurisdiction over such matters and whenever a change of zoning is requested due notice is given fifteen days before action is taken and zoning hearing takes place [illegible] But those interested may have an opportunity to be heard.

Village Clerk Clyde Howes - No petition for a variance at Pell House has been filed.

Mr. Phillips -- I would like a ruling on which part of the property the 1,000 foot ruling begins, the center or the boundary lines.

Village Clerk Howes -- It is 1,000 feet from any part of the property.

The Board instructed the Village Clerk to prepare a zoning map on which the boundary lines of the 1,000 foot area are clearly shown so that the eligibility of the signers of the petitions for and against the change may be determined.

Daniel Brown, Commander of Pelham Post 50, was not present at Monday night's meeting.  One Tuesday he told a Pelham Sun representative that Legion Post 50 was going right ahead with its plans, that it possessed a contract of sale for the Pell House property and that when the proper time arrived a petition for a variant use of the Pell House would be presented and it would then have sufficient signatures to ensure its approval.  He indicated that he was optimistic about the result."

Source:  Protest Against Legion Plan to Invade Residential Area by Club at Pell House, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 20, 1945, Vol. 36, No. 36, p. 1, cols. 7-8.

"No Action In Zoning Dispute
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Inquiry of Clyde Howes, village clerk of Pelham Manor, showed that no application for a variance of zoning laws has been yet filed by Pelham Post 50, American Legion, in order to obtain the use of the historic old Pell House as headquarters for the activities of the Legion post.  

Similar inactivity is reported in the case of the reopening of the service station of Burgess B. Field, on Washington avenue.  The owner is in Florida and further action will be delayed until his return."

Source:  No Action In Zoning Dispute, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 27, 1945, Vol. 36, No. 37, p. 1, col. 6.  

"Post 50 Seeking New Clubhouse

PELHAM -- Pelham Post 50, American Legion, has abandoned its efforts to secure Pell House in Pelham Manor as a clubhouse and is seeking another place, Commander Daniel E. Brown announced today.  The Post seeks a building which can be used as a clubhouse after renovation, but if this is unobtainable it will purchase property and erect a building, Mr. Brown said.

The post will send a boy to represent it at the Boys' State encampment to be held in June at Manlius Military Academy near Syracuse, N. Y.  The boy will be selected by the high school faculty."

Source:  Post 50 Seeking New Clubhouse, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 21, 1946, p. 5, col. 3.  

"Historic Old Pell House Sold, Built Before Revolutionary War

PELHAM MANOR -- Pell House, almost 200 years old and one of Westchester's historic landmarks, Carol Place and Iden Avenue, has been sold by the estate of W. W. Taylor to Joseph Boucher, 2534 Woodhull Avenue, the Bronx.

John K. Miller, Mount Vernon real estate broker, who handled the transaction, and who has been managing agent of the property for 16 years, said the new owner will occupy the house and plans extensive alterations.  The old stone house, which stands on a plot of an acre-and-a-half, has 13 rooms.

Dates From 1750

The house, the only pre-Revolutionary mansion still standing in Pelham Manor [incorrect], was erected around 1750-1760, according to Lockwood Barr, town historian.  Mr. Barr, in his book, 'Ancient Town of Pelham,' relates that the house originally was called Pelham Dale, from which Pelhamdale Avenue derives its name.  It was built by Philip Pell, II, grandson of the third Lord of the Manor of Pelham.

According to Mr. Barr, the house, on a small triangular tract bounded by Carol Place, Iden Avenue and the Hutchinson Parkway, is all that remains of the original large farm.  After the Revolution, Colonel David Pell, a son of Philip Pell II, lived in the old homestead until hs death in 1823.  His widow sold the tract to James Hay who named the place Pelham Dale.

In the North wall of the house is imbedded [sic] a large piece of red sandstone on which is cut in relief the coat-of-arms of the Hay family.

Sought as Historic Shrine

'Pelham Dale was one of the magnificent country estates of Westchester,' Mr. Barr writes 'It has passed through many ownerships; yet today, in spite of its use and abuse, it still is a fine example of the mansions of its day.  Numerous unsuccessful attempts have been made to interest some patriotic society in purchasing this old Pell place and restoring it as a historic museum for the Pelhams.'

Last year Pelham Post 50, American Legion, was considering buying the property for a clubhouse but Pelham Manor residents objected.  Last January a proposal by the Pelham Realty Board that the mansion be purchased by popular subscription as a town public library for a World War II memorial fell through from lack of public interest."

Source:  Historic Old Pell House Sold, Built Before Revolutionary War, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 4, 1948, p. 5, cols. 4-6.  

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I have written about the lovely historic home known as "Pelhamdale" (and "Pelham Dale") on numerous occasions.  For a few of many examples, see:

Wed., Feb. 01, 2017:  Pelham Historic Marker Placed on Hutchinson River Parkway in 1927.

Wed., Nov. 30, 2016:  Article on the History of Pelhamdale Published in 1925 After Tragic Fire.

Thu., Nov. 03, 2016:  1860 Auction Offering Pelhamdale Lots from the Estate of James Hay.

Thu., Oct. 20, 2016:  Fears in 1934 and 1935 that the Historic Home Known as Pelhamdale Would Be Razed. 

Fri, May 13, 2016:  1851 Advertisement Offering Farm and Mansion Known as Pelhamdale for Lease.

Wed., Sep. 23, 2015:  Yet Another Tale of Buried Treasure in the Town of Pelham. 

Thu., Sep. 17, 2015:  An Account of the February 28, 1925 Fire at Pelhamdale, A Home on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fri., Sep. 04, 2015:  Sale of the Pre-Revolutionary War Home Known as Pelhamdale in 1948.

Tue., Sep. 09, 2014:  The October 18, 1927 Unveiling of the Historic Marker at Pelhamdale, the Historic Home at 45 Iden Avenue.

Tue., Jun. 24, 2014:  Story of Pelhamdale, the Old Stone House by the Bridge, Once Owned by David J. Pell.

Thu., Jan. 03, 2008:  Charges in 1808 Against Lieutenant-Colonel David J. Pell of Pelham that He "Indulges in Inebriety and Habitual Drunkeness." 

Mon., Oct 15, 2007:  Town Proclamation Recognizes Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Pelhamdale at 45 Iden Avenue. 

Thu., Oct. 26, 2006:  Genealogical Data Regarding David Jones Pell of the Manor of Pelham, Revolutionary War Officer. 

Wed., Nov. 02, 2005:  Engraving by P.M. Pirnie Showing Pelhamdale in 1861. 

Thu., Oct. 13, 2005:  Two More Pelham Ghost Stories. 

Mon., Sep. 19, 2005:  The Long-Hidden Pastoral Mural Uncovered in Pelhamdale, a Pre-Revolutionary War Home. 

Mon., Apr. 11, 2005:  More From the William R. Montgomery Glass Negative Collection (includes photograph of fire at Pelhamdale on February 28, 1925). 

Tue., Mar. 22, 2005:  The 1790 U.S. Census Information for the Township of Pelham.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog
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Who Today Has the "Right" to Receive the Famed Manor of Pelham Fatt Calfe from the City of New Rochelle?

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

The expectant crowd anxiously awaited on and along Fifth Avenue in front of Town Hall in the Village of North Pelham at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, August 29, 1946.  Representatives of television broadcaster Columbia Broadcasting System were present with television cameras to record the event.  (Commercial television broadcasting, which had declined dramatically during World War II, was beginning to ramp up again.)  A gaggle of photographers from newspapers and news organizations throughout the region were waiting expectantly.  There was a large crowd of spectators despite threatening skies.  Everyone was excited.

That day and night, the Village of North Pelham was in the midst of its Golden Jubilee celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of its founding in 1896.  One of the many events that formed an important part of that celebration was so special that it was recorded by Columbia Broadcasting System (with an announcer) for a later nationwide broadcast on Sunday, September 1, 1946 from 8:15 to 8:30 p.m. on WCGW.  Moreover, CBS was not the only broadcaster present at the event.  A portion of the ceremony also was broadcast by radio station WFAS, 1230 on the am dial.  The special event that attracted so much attention was the presentation of a "fatt calfe" by the City of New Rochelle to the little Village of North Pelham.

I have written repeatedly not only of various fatt calfe ceremonies in Pelham's history, but also of the grand Golden Jubilee fiftieth anniversary celebration hosted by the Village of North Pelham on August 29, 1946.  See, e.g.:

Bell, Blake A., Tradition of Demanding a New Rochelle "Fatt Calfe", The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 16, Apr. 16, 2004, p. 8, col. 2. 

Thu., Dec. 08, 2016:  Cancellation of 1909 Fatt Calfe Ceremony Due to "Sharp Lawyers" Prompted a Pell Family Feud.

Tue., Dec. 01, 2015:  Lean Roast Beef Is NOT a "Fatt Calfe" Though Pell Family Members Accepted it in 1956.

Mon., Jan. 05, 2015:  The Village of North Pelham Celebrated the Golden Jubilee of its Incorporation During Festivities in 1946.

Thu., Sep. 10, 2009:  1909 Dispute Among Pell Family Members Over Who Would be the Rightful Recipient of the Fatt Calfe from New Rochelle. 

Fri., Mar. 04, 2005:  In 1909 Fear of "Sharp Lawyers" Prompted Cancellation of the Pell Family's "Fatt Calfe" Ceremony.

1938 New Rochelle U.S. Commemorative Silver Half Dollar (Obverse)

Depicting John Pell Receiving the "Fatt Calfe" in 1689. Photograph by

the Author.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The "fatt calfe" ceremony that attracted so much attention on August 29, 1946 was an homage to a promise made by Jacob Leisler in 1689, as a representative of French Huguenots of New Rochelle, to John and Rachel Pell of the Manor of Pelham to deliver one such "calfe" annually "if demanded."  On September 20, 1689, John Pell, and his wife, Rachel, sold to Jacob Leisler of New York City 6,000 acres of Manor of Pelham land.  At the same time they gifted to Leisler another 100 acres for use as church grounds.  Leisler reportedly had been commissioned to acquire the land on behalf of French Huguenots seeking to relocate to North America, many of whom fled from La Rochelle in France.  The land became today’s New Rochelle, named in honor of La Rochelle from which many of the Huguenots fled religious persecution by the French Catholics. 

A condition of the sale in 1689 was that Jacob Leisler and his "heirs & Assigns" should deliver to “John Pell his heirs and assigns Lords of the said Manor of Pelham . . . as an Acknowledgment to the said Manor one fatt calfe on every fouer and twentieth day of June Yearly and Every Year forever (if demanded)” (spelling and punctuation as in original deed).  The June 24th date was not chosen randomly.  June 24 is the annual date of The Feast of St. John the Baptist when a "fatt calfe" would have been particularly welcome for the sort of feast and celebration that was so common on that date in those years.

Every few generations, it seems, there is a "rediscovery" of that ancient "fatt calfe" provision in the deed by which John and Rachel Pell transferred lands to Jacob Leisler.  With each such "rediscovery," members of the Pell family typically approach the City of New Rochelle and "demand" delivery of a "fatt calfe" to one or more members of the family as part of an important historic anniversary or a large family reunion celebration.  Rarely however, has such a "demand" been made by any of the Villages in Pelham or the Town of Pelham.  The North Pelham celebration in 1946 was an exception.

Though it may come as disappointing news to the many members of the Pell Family descended from John and Rachel Pell who are scattered throughout the nation, it would seem (at least from Pelham's perspective) that a meaningful argument can be made that the right to demand and receive the "fatt calfe" (to whatever unlikely extent it may still be labeled a "right") has devolved to the Town of Pelham and not to members of the Pell family or to today's Villages of Pelham and Pelham Manor.  

Under the original deed, the "right" to receive the "fatt calfe" belonged to John Pell and "his heirs and assigns Lords of the said Manor of Pelham."  The deed did NOT say the right belonged to the descendants of John Pell, only John Pell and his "heirs and assigns."

John Pell, of course, no longer is with us, having died in the first few years of the 18th century.  Thus, we are left to determine the meaning of "his heirs and assigns," a legal term of art in the real estate field.  We then must determine who meets this definition of "his heirs and assigns."

The phrase typically appears in a so-called habendum clause in a deed -- the clause that describes the estate that is being granted.  John Pell's "heirs" would have been those to whom his real estate was bequeathed or who otherwise inherited it.  His "assigns" would have included those who came into possession of his property through purchase, gift or some form of transfer from him, his heirs or anyone who inherited the property from him or any of his heirs.  

This suggests, of course, that an argument can be made that all who now own any of the lands that comprised the Manor of Pelham immediately after the sale to Leisler in 1689 (including those who live in today's Town of Pelham and on City Island) are among John Pell's "assigns" as referenced in the 1689 deed.  If such a theory is correct, there would now be tens of thousands of Lords of the Manor of Pelham -- those who own property that was owned by John and Rachel Pell in the Manor of Pelham immediately after the sale to Jacob Leisler on September 20, 1689.  

Now things get even a little more interesting.  The clause of the deed requiring delivery of a fatt calfe if demanded may arguably be deemed ambiguous.  It requires Jacob Leisler, his heirs and assigns to deliver to “John Pell his heirs and assigns Lords of the said Manor of Pelham . . . as an Acknowledgment to the said Manor one fatt calfe on every fouer and twentieth day of June Yearly and Every Year forever (if demanded).”  Does that mean Jacob Leisler and, subsequently all his heirs and assigns (arguably all landowners in today's City of New Rochelle) must each deliver one "fatt calfe" to each of the "heirs and assigns" of John Pell (arguably at least all the landowners in the Town of Pelham and on City Island) if demanded?  Alternatively, is the delivery of only one "fatt calfe" required to be delivered to all "heirs and assigns" of John Pell?

It would seem that it would be most reasonable to interpret the provision to require delivery of only "one fatt calfe" regardless of the number of "heirs and assigns" who may exist today.  But, who should deliver the fatt calfe?  Who should properly receive the fatt calfe?

Over the last century, members of the Pell Family seem implicitly to have recognized that the reference to John Pell's "heirs and assigns" in the deed does not include his descendants (i.e., members of the Pell Family).  Thus, they do not seem ever to have demanded that the descendants of Jacob Leisler deliver a fatt calfe to them.  This omission implicitly affirms that provision placed the obligation not on Leisler's descendants but on his "heirs & Assigns."  Of course, essentially the same phrase (i.e., "heirs and assigns") is used on the opposite side of the equation providing that John Pell and his "heirs and assigns" are entitled to receive the fatt calfe.  

In short the Pell family does not demand the "fatt calfe" from Leisler's descendants but, instead, from a municipal representative of his "heirs and assigns" -- the City of New Rochelle as the representative of all those within the City who own lands once owned by Jacob Leisler (Leisler's "Assigns").  Paradoxically, however, at the same time members of the Pell Family demand that the calf be delivered to them (or one of their own) as descendants of John Pell and NOT to a municipal representative of Pell's "heirs and assigns."  

Thus, one could argue, there are only two who today would have the joint authority, as the municipal representatives of John Pell's true "heirs and assigns" (i.e., the tens of thousands who now own land that was part of the Manor of Pelham immediately after the sale of land to Jacob Leisler on September 20, 1689) to demand delivery of the fatt calfe on June 24.  Those two would be the Town of Pelham (as landowner and representative of those who own land in Pelham) and the City of New York (as landowner and representative of those who own land on City Island and in Pelham Bay Park).

This author now has the temerity to assert that all previous deliveries of a "fatt calfe" to members of the Pell Family and to the Village of North Pelham are null and void and of no force and effect since those deliveries were not demanded by John Pell or any of his "heirs and assigns" -- only his descendants.  Since neither the Town of Pelham nor the City of New York demanded delivery of the fatt calfe in those instances, no such delivery was required.  The City of New Rochelle should be deemed simply to have gifted the fatt calfe on each such occasion rather than meeting any obligation under the deed issued to Jacob Leisler.  

What say you Pell Family members?  What say you landowners in New Rochelle?  What say you landowners on City Island?  And, indeed, since New York City owns today's Pelham Bay Park which was part of the Manor of Pelham on September 20, 1689, what say you New York City?

*          *          *          *          *

Below is a transcription of an article describing New Rochelle's delivery of the "fatt calfe" demanded by the Village of North Pelham in 1946.  Although, arguably, the Village was a representative of John Pell's "heirs and assigns" who lived within its boundaries, it was not the most appropriate representative to make such a demand.  At least the ceremony was performed in front of the Town Hall of the Town of Pelham. . . . . . 

"Presentation Of 'Ye Fatte Calf' [sic] Recalls Olden Tribute To John Pell, Lord of Manor

NORTH PELHAM -- One of the most colorful events of the Village's celebration yesterday on the 50th anniversary of its founding was the historic reenactment of the delivery of a fatted calf by Mayor Stanley W. Church of New Rochelle to Mayor Dominic Amato of North Pelham at 4:15 P. M.

The picturesque ceremony, which took place in front of Town Hall, was recorded by a battery of photographers as well as by the Columbia Broadcasting System television, when it will be shown over a nationwide broadcast Sunday over WCGW from 8:15 to 8:30 P. M.

George Usbeck, announcer, opened the ceremony:

'The year is 1689; on the shores of Long Island Sound a little band of French Huguenots had selected a site for their settlement.  That site was part of the landed properties of the Lord of the Manor of Pell.  And when the purchase contract was signed, it contained a provision in which the Huguenots agreed to 'forever yielding and paying unto John Pell, his heirs and assigns, one fatte calf [sic] on every four and twentieth day of June yearly and every year forever, if demanded * * *

'Two hundred and fifty-seven years have passed down the corridors of history since that agreement was signed, but today New Rochelle again delivers to its neighboring village, North Pelham, 'ye fatte calf.'

Neil Gibbons, who played the part of a mounted courier in Colonial costume, rode up Fifth Avenue from the Railroad Station to Town Hall, where he dismounted, handed the reins of his horse to a policeman, and unrolling a scroll, read greetings.

Mayor Church, holding the calf by the tethers, and assisted on each side by Miss Denise Velon and Miss Arline Gyllenhammer, dressed in colonial costumes, came down Fifth Avenue grinning broadly, and the calf tugged so hard he pulled the little procession along.  Miss Velon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henri Velon of 454 Fourth Avenue, was dressed in blue and rose, and Miss Gyllenhammer, daughter of Mrs. Harriet Gyllenhammer of 125 Second Avenue, wore a white flower-sprigged costume.

They stopped in front of Mayor Amato, and the battery of photographers had a field day as the two mayors shook hands and held the pose for a few minutes.

'It gives me great pleasure,' Mayor Church said, 'to present to your fine village today a token of our friendship in the form of the ancient fee for the site of New Rochelle.  I bring you the fatted calf to help make your day's celebration complete and, from the residents of New Rochelle, greetings as your reach your 50th birthday.  I want to congratulate you on the ceremony that will take place tonight when you burn the bonds to signify that at the ripe young age of 50, North Pelham is debt free.'

Mayor Amato receiving the calf for the residents of his village, thanked the New Rochelle Mayor and residents.

'The friendly relations, both business and social, between New Rochelle and the Pelhams are worth cherishing,' he said, 'and have their roots in the ceremony that we reenacted today, which began so many years ago.  I hope there will be many other occasions like this when our communities may get together for the mutual advancement of our section of Westchester.'

At the close of the exercises, a barbecued calf was carved into sandwiches and sold."

Source:  Presentation Of 'Ye Fatte Calf' Recalls Olden Tribute To John Pell, Lord of Manor, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 30, 1946, p. 10, cols. 3-7.  

"HISTORIC CUSTOM reenacted at North Pelham's celebration of its

50th anniversary yesterday.  Mayor Stanley Church of New Rochelle

(center) presents a 'fatte calf' [sic] to Mayor Dominic Amato, according

to the terms of an old deed.  Looking on are (second from left) Miss

Denise Velon of 545 Fourth Avenue, North Pelham, and Miss Arline

Gyllenhammer, of 125 Second Avenue, North Pelham, in Colonial

costumes."  Source:  Presentation Of 'Ye Fatte Calf' Recalls Olden

Tribute To John Pell, Lord of Manor, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, 

NY], Aug. 30, 1946, p. 10, cols. 3-7.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

History of the World Record Pelham Manor Model Railroad of the Westchester Model Club

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

For a number of years after the New Haven Branch Line stopped running passenger service in December, 1937 at the beautiful little Pelham Manor Depot designed by noted architect Cass Gilbert, a model railroad club was permitted to use the empty station.  The Westchester Model Club, Inc. built a massive model railroad that even included a tiny replica of the very Pelham Manor Depot within which the model railroad sat.  The Club only used the Depot a few years until late April 1953 when the building had to be demolished to make way for today's I-95, the New York Thruway.  

The Club and its model railroad attracted national attention.  That should come as no surprise.  The O-Gauge model railroad was a marvel of miniature engineering operated with time-table precision over about 3,500 to 4,000 feet of track (the equivalent of about 27 scale miles).  The miniature railroad was believed at the time to be the longest model railroad of its type in the world.  When the club made its model railroad available for viewing, it attracted more than 3,000 visitors over two weekends in 1946.  Newspapers and magazines throughout the nation wrote breathlessly about the amazing model railroad built by the Club in the little depot in Pelham Manor, New York.

Many still living in Pelham remember visiting the model railroad in the old Pelham Manor Depot.  I have written about Westchester Model Club, Inc. and its model railroad before.  See, e.g.:  

Thu., Jul. 09, 2015:  The Model Railroad Once Housed in the Abandoned Pelham Manor Station on the New Haven Branch Line.

Fri., Apr. 09, 2010:  The Closing of the "Eastern Railroad" of the Westchester Model Club, Inc. in the Pelham Manor Depot in 1953. 

Tue., Oct. 13, 2009:  Film of the Westchester Model Club, Inc.'s Model Railroad in the Pelham Manor Depot Before its Demolition. 

Tue., Apr. 21, 2009: 1950 Article Mentions Model Railroading Club That Used Pelham Manor Depot.

Above is a Fascinating Film of the Model Railroad Inside

the Pelham Manor Station as it is Being Operated by Club

Members in the Early 1950s Before the Station Was Closed

and Demolished.  Note that at the 0:35 Second Mark in the

Film, You Will See a Miniature Version of the Pelham

Manor Train Station in Which the Model Railroad is

Being Operated.  Click on Image to Begin Video.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog provides a more definitive history of Westchester Model Club, Inc. and its model railroad in the old Pelham Manor Depot.

The Westchester Model Club, Inc. was founded, formally, in September, 1934 at the height of the Great Depression.  The story of the club's founding is amusing, at least as told by Popular Mechanics Magazine in its December, 1952 issue:

"ALMOST 30 YEARS AGO in New Rochelle, N.Y., six men were having trouble with their wives.  The same kind of trouble, for it seems that these men -- Rollin Meyers, James See, George Barkley, A. Q. Smith, Robert Ward and E. P. Alexander -- were busily engaged in building railroad pikes in their homes.

As these model railroads expanded to monopolize more and more of their attics and cellars, the wives began to object -- strenuously and vocally.  So began the Westchester Model Club.  The men moved to Mr. Alexander's attic and in a short time, with all their equipment pooled together, again ran out of space.  They moved to a loft and from there, in 1934 [sic; should be 1938], to the present site -- the old Pelham Manor, New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad station.  There are now over 3500 feet of O-Gauge cold-rolled-steel track."

Source:  Rubin, Daniel, "Thursday Night Is Railroad Night" in Popular Mechanics Magazine, Vol. 98, No. 6, pp. 112-115 (Dec. 1952) (note the many terrific images of the model railroad in operation included with this brief article, including an image of the miniature Pelham Manor Depot included in the model railroad).  

Once the club had outgrown Edwin P. Alexander's attic, it moved its headquarters to 555 Main Street, New Rochelle.  There the club began with an entire floor of about 1,500 square feet used for meeting rooms and a workshop.  The club appears to have begun building a model railroad at that location in about March, 1936.  The model, however, was comparatively modest.  It was about 70 feet long according to one report published on March 20, 1936 (see below).  

Cover of February, 1938 Issue of The Model Craftsman

Showing "A Scene at the Westchester Model Club,"

Published by Charles A. Penn, a Member of the

Westchester Model Club.  This Likely Shows the Model

Railroad in the Club's New Rochelle Headquarters

Shortly Before the Club Moved to Pelham Manor. 

While operating in New Rochelle, the club touted its experience and expertise not only in its model railroad, but also in model ships and model airplanes.  About the time it built its 70-feet long model railroad it began advertising for visitors and charged admission of 25 cents for adults and 15 cents for children to visit the club and view its models. 

1936 Advertisement for Westchester Model Club Show

at Club Headquarters.  Source:  Westchester Model Club

Show [Advertisement], Scarsdale Inquirer, Apr. 24, 1936,

p. 12, col. 2.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The Westchester Model Club became one of the most famous and sophisticated such clubs in the nation.  Model experts flocked to the club.  According to one report, in the club's early years its members included club president and founder Edwin P. Alexander who also was president of the American Model Railroad Company, one of the first three scale model railroad sales firms in the United States.  See The Train Collectors Association, E. P. Alexander Trains / American Model Railroad Company (visited Dec. 3, 2016).  Another member was Charles A. Penn, publisher of The Model Craftsman Magazine.

In its early days, the club had about thirty members principally from Westchester County.  The club grew quickly and, indeed, outgrew its New Rochelle Headquarters even after expanding to both the second and third floors in that facility.  By 1937, the club had more than 150 members.  

Members of the club were serious about their hobby.  The club did not simply purchase what the members needed to construct their magnificent model railroad.  Rather, the club maintained a machine shop in which they manufactured most of what was needed.  Indeed, members were so serious about their model railroad that they visited various locomotive works where actual passenger and freight trains were manufactured to hone their own miniature manufacturing skills.  

A staggering amount of time was devoted to the hobby by members of the club.  For example, it took between 100 and 500 hours to build a single miniature locomotive.  (The club had 65 of them, every single one manufactured by hand with the exception of the tiny motors within that were purchased.)  

As the club and its model railroad grew, the New Rochelle headquarters was beginning to bulge at the seams.  Then, on December 31, 1937, passenger service on the New Haven Branch Line ended.  Consequently, the old Pelham Manor Depot building was closed.  Members of the Westchester Model Club, of course, sensed an immediate opportunity.  

Members of the Club approached the railroad and were able to secure rent-free use of the magnificent stone Pelham Manor Depot designed by famed architect Cass Gilbert as their club headquarters.  Over the next few months, members moved the club's operations to the Depot and built a bigger and better model railroad on the first floor of the building.  By June 23, 1938 the club had completed the first loop of what it called its "Eastern Lines" model railroad in the Depot with about 1,500 feet of track.  Indeed, on that date the club invited H. E. Baily, Superintendent of the New Haven Railroad, for a "golden spike ceremony" to honor the completion of the first loop of the new model railroad in the Pelham Manor Depot.  Within days, the club began inviting visitors to view its new facility.  See Thu., Jul. 09, 2015:  The Model Railroad Once Housed in the Abandoned Pelham Manor Station on the New Haven Branch Line.

The following year, the Westchester Model Club began in November, 1939, an annual tradition of opening its model railroad in the Pelham Manor Depot to the public for an annual exhibit for which it charged admission.  The annual event grew to be wildly successful.  As the size and complexity of the model railroad grew, so did the crowds that attended the exhibition each year.  

By 1946, the club's model railroad covered the entire ground floor of the Pelham Manor Depot with nearly 4,000 feet of track.  Model trains even stopped at a miniature version of the Pelham Manor Depot in which the model railroad was built.  Thousands of visitors flocked to the little Pelham Manor Depot during the annual exhibit that year to see the amazing sight of what was touted as the world's largest model railroad.  

What was it like to visit the model railroad in the Pelham Manor Depot?  It was a bustle of activities.  It was so large and so complex that it took twenty club members working at once to operate the massive railroad.  The operators, acting as operators of freight yards, signals, passenger services, and the like were constantly barking into a loudspeaker system that made the same sort of railroad announcements as the "real" railroads.  A written rule book, based on a book issued by the New Haven Railroad, governed all operations and forbid touching any part of the model or trains while in operation (with a few necessary exceptions such as coupling cars to the locomotive in a yard).  The trains followed a rigid timetable and moved from miniature city to miniature city -- cities named Central City, Woodstock, Black Rock, Silver Creek, Pineville, Jonesburg, and Oil City.  The miniature replica of the Pelham Manor Depot could be found in Central City on the model railroad.  Central City was a "key point of the system."  The cement used to construct the miniature replica of the Pelham Manor Depot was mixed with a spoon and actual stone was used to recreate the miniature stone station.

One newspaper article tried to capture the bustle as follows:

"The club members, whose professions are as varied as the types of model trains they build, operate a system known as the Eastern Lines, made up of a main line and an electrified mountain line.  For those few hours of fun and relaxation which their hobby affords them each Thursday night, the model railroaders forget such places as Mount Vernon, Pelham and Bronxville, and run their trains between Central City, Woodstock, Black Rock, Silver Creek, Pineville, Jonesburg and Oil City.  The trains follow a timetable as rigidly as do their prototypes, and the entire system is operated under a book of rules as strict as that of any bona fide line.  In fact, the Westchester Club is the only one which boasts a printed book of rules, based on that of the New Haven Railroad, and revised for model purposes.  The trains cannot be touched by hand when the system is operating except for coupling and uncoupling, and for manipulating the locomotives' forward and reverse shift levers.  Such talk, over the loudspeaker, as 'First number 29 ready on track 8,' is routine.  The yardmaster at Central City is the voice behind that one, and the signalman at Tower TW calls to the Roundhouse foreman for an 'Engine for first 29.'  He is busy lining up switches and setting the signal for the heavy passenger locomotive that will pull the first section of the Eastern Lines' crack all-Pullman night train, The Owl."

The club took pride in running its model railroad as true to an actual railroad as possible.  For example, unlike most model railroads of the day, trains on the Eastern Lines were run in a straight line rather than on a circuit.  Although the railroad tracks, of necessity, were laid out in a giant oval (see schematic below), the club never ran trains around and around the giant oval.  Rather, trains were run from point-to-point.  Thus, the train locomotive and its cars would be coupled together in one yard, would then be brought out onto the line and run to a particular location, and then end their trek in a destination yard.  

As part of the realistic modeling of the tiny O-Gauge railroad, there were two types of power delivered to the trains as was (and still is) the case on the New Haven Line in the New York region.  The main division of the Eastern Lines delivered electric current to the trains via a tiny third rail.  The Mountain Division, in contrast, delivered electric current to the trains via tiny overhead wires.  

The entire Eastern Lines model railroad ran on 22-volt direct current with about two amperes per engine.  The system could handle up to five trains in each direction, using over 50,000 feet of wire to deliver power, signals, switch controls and to light model houses, stations, platforms, telephones, and the like.  The countryside and landscaping was created with a mixture of plaster of paris and asbestos, applied over half-inch wire mesh, that was painted meticulously.  

Alas, as the years passed after World War II, the Westchester Model Club's time in Pelham Manor was coming to an end as plans for construction of the New England Thruway ripened.  The Thruway design called for the superhighway to run adjacent to the Branch Line tracks through Pelham Manor thus requiring condemnation and demolition of the Pelham Manor Depot used by the club as its headquarters.  In early April, 1953, the club announced that it would make the "final runs" of the Eastern Lines from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during each of three successive weekends beginning on Saturday, April 11 and ending on Sunday, April 26.  Visitors were invited to attend.

By the the time of the model railroad's final run on Sunday, April 26, 1953, the system remained so large and complex that, once again, it took twenty members of the club to run it.  There were more than 3,500 feet of track.  There were 50,000 feet of wire, 65 locomotives, 500 freight cars and 150 passenger cars, all built by hand meticulously to scale.  Most of the equipment was built in the club's machine shop.  

On that sad day, another small chapter in the railroad history of Pelham ended.

Design Schematic Showing Layout of the Eastern Lines

of the Westchester Model Club, Inc. in the Pelham Manor

Depot at About the Time the Depot Was Closed in 1953.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"Model Club Makes Miniature Railroad 
-----

Thirty county residents, including one young man of Scarsdale, make up the membership of one of the most active small clubs in Westchester -- the Westchester Model Club, Inc.  This club has for its aim the making of models of railroads, ships and airplanes, and a club with a busier membership would be hard to find anywhere. 

The organization’s headquarters are at 555 Main Street, New Rochelle, where the club has an entire floor of some 1,500 square feet for meeting rooms and a workshop.  Here at present members are setting up a complete model railroad.  When this is completed, it will be about seventy feet long.  

Several of the club members are well known in the model world.  Fletcher Speed, twice winner of first prize at the New York Model Show annual exhibitions, is one of the members.  Edwin P. Alexander, the club president, is also president of the American Model Railroad, Inc., one of the first 3 scale model railroad firms.  Charles A. Penn, publisher of Model Craftsman Magazine, is another member.  The Scarsdale member is young Sandford MacDowell of Carthage Road.  

Meetings are held every Tuesday evening at eight, and Saturday afternoons and evenings.  Other nights such as Wednesday and Friday are “work nights” when construction on the club's railroad proceeds.  Anyone interested in model making is invited to join the group.  The secretary is James E. See of 1 Orchard Drive, White Plains."

Source:  Model Club Makes Miniature Railroad, Scarsdale Inquirer, Mar. 20, 1936, p. 3, cols. 4-5. 

"Model Railroad Exhibit in Pelham 

Tonight from 7:30 until ten p.m., and tomorrow and Sunday from two until ten p.m. mark the final showing of the miniature railroad speeding through scale model cities, farms, and mountains that covers the entire ground floor of the old New Haven Railroad station in Pelham Manor, which is drawing record crowds at its eighth annual exhibit.  The rolling stock. shops, yards, terminals, and scenery have all been painstakingly built to scale by a group of fifty business and professional men who call themselves the Westchester Model Club, and who rented the station after it had been discontinued by the railroad in 1924 [sic].

The proceeds of this 1946 show which has been seen by more than 3,000 persons during the past two week-ends, will be donated to the Tribune Fresh Air Fund.  Operating with time-table precision over 4,000 feet of track—twentyseven scale miles—it is believed to be the longest railroad of its type in the world."

Source:  Model Railroad Exhibit in Pelham, Scarsdale Inquirer, Nov. 15, 1936, p. 11, cols. 1-2.  

"N.Y. Railroad 'Fans' Visit Baldwin and P. R. R. Shops
-----

One hundred and fifty members of the Westchester Model Club, Inc., of New Rochelle, N.Y., an unique organization made up of men from all walks of life who devote their leisure hours to the building and collecting of miniature railroad systems made an inspection tour of the Baldwin Locomotive Works at Eddystone, yesterday afternoon.  

The model-makers, some of whom are wealthy, others only moderately prosperous, went through the erecting shop from one end to the other and saw for themselves the plant where real locomotive builders assemble the parts of their 'iron horses.'

They entered the shop at the west end and toured the plant in the same way that locomotives run through it, in the 'progressive system.'  The New Yorkers were shown the steps in the assembling of an iron steed from its beginnings as a boiler until it was a finished product at the east end of the shop.  

The Baldwin management permitted the club members to take photographs inside the huge shop as they made the inspection.  Many of the visitors retraced their steps to study some special phase of the assembling work in which they were interested.

After spending more than an hour and a half at the plant, the party entrained for this city and had luncheon in a downtown restaurant before continuing on to Wilmington where a tour of the Pennsylvania Railroad shops was made.

Among the officials of the Pennsylvania Railroad who accompanied the club on its tour, was W. M. Pippin, of this city, district passenger agent at Wilmington.'

E. P. Alexander, president of the Westchester Model Club, was in charge of the arrangements for the trip."

Source:  N.Y. Railroad 'Fans' Visit Baldwin and P. R. R. Shops, Delaware County Daily Times [Chester, PA], Mar. 8, 1937, No. 18775, p. 1, cols. 4-5 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link). 

"Model Railroad Group To Open Exhibit At Station Tomorrow

PELHAM -- The Westchester Model Club, which operates the Eastern Lines, one of the largest model railroad[s] in the country, will open its 1945 exhibit of model railroading at the New Haven Railroad Station in Pelham Manor tomorrow.  It will continue on the second and third week-ends in November and is open Fridays from 7 to 10 P. M., and on Saturday 7 to 10 P. M.

One of the features of the show to be presented several times is a demonstration of how a freight train is put on the road, from the assembling of the cars right through to the train orders that get it out on the main line.

This railroad system is an operating model railroad with a greater diversity of equipment than any other model road, with more than 40 locomotives for every type of service.

There is a 'ballast train' used on big roads to replace ballast under cross ties; an operating scale model wrecking train; a 'wire train' which operates on the electrified Mountain Division to keep the overhead trolley wire in repair.  A prototype of this operates on the New Haven Railroad between Stamford and Woodlawn in the Bronx.

There are many types of cars so that every type of freight can be handed, and there are enough of each class to make up 'solid' trains of all tank cars, all box cars, all refrigerator cars.  The same is true for passenger equipment, and several sections of an all-Pullman de luxe train can be run in addition to regular trains on the timetable.

The more than 3,500 feet of track include two large freight classification yards and two large passenger equipment yards.  There is a nine-stall roundhouse to service locomotives."

Source:  Model Railroad Group To Open Exhibit At Station Tomorrow, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 1, 1945, p. 9, cols. 1-2.  

"Old Pelham Manor Station Houses World's Largest Model Railroad
-----
Hobby Group Operates Line Worth $25,000

By ROBERT WILLIAMS

One night each week, 42 out of a group of 43 men forget that in daily life they are bankers, accountants, morticians, firm presidents, etc., and become the operators of a scale model railroad system as near perfect in detail as human hands and ingenuity can make it.  

The exception is the only member of the Westchester Model Club, Inc., who lists railroading as his profession.  He is John F. Munn, 299 East Third Street, an employee of the New York Central Railroad.

These men, whose love of railroading made them turn to it as a hobby, have their headquarters in Pelham Manor in the abandoned New Haven station on the Harlem River Division, over which all through passenger traffic goes to Pennsylvania Station via the Hell Gate Bridge.

World's Largest Model Railroad

There, occupying a space 95 feet long by 25 feet wide is a model railroad said to be the largest in the world.  Some 4,000 feet of track have been laid -- more than 27 scale miles -- while nearly 50,000 feet of wiring controls the trains, signals, interlocking relays, track relays, station lights and other devices.

This equipment, plus all of the rolling stock, represents an investment of about $25,000.

The system will be on public display the first three week ends of November:  Nov. 1, 2, 3; 8, 9, 10; and 15, 16 and 17.  Friday evenings the station will be open from 7:30 to 10:30 P. M., while on Saturdays and Sundays, the public will be admitted from 1:30 to 10:30 P. M.

Club Organized in 1934

The club was organized in September, 1934, and moved to its present quarters in 1936 [sic].  The golden spike symbolizing the completion of the first main line loop was driven on June 23, 1938, by H. E. Baily, Superintendent of the New Haven Railroad, now retired.  

Among the charter members of the club still active are James E. See, I Orchard Drive, White Plains, a city highway engineer; Robert D. ward, 18 Clover Street, Larchmont, an engineer at Ward Leonard Electric Co.; Rollin S. Myers, 24 Lexington Avenue, plumbers' supplies; T. S. MacDowell, 27 Elizabeth Street, Dansville, N. Y., a boiler maker, and W. E. Shropshire, 101 Belle Vista Avenue, Tuckahoe, a designer at Ward Leonard, formerly a commercial artist.

The Eastern Lines

The club members, whose professions are as varied as the types of model trains they build, operate a system known as the Eastern Lines, made up of a main line and an electrified mountain line.  

For those few hours of fun and relaxation which their hobby affords them each Thursday night, the model railroaders forget such places as Mount Vernon, Pelham and Bronxville, and run their trains between Central City, Woodstock, Black Rock, Silver Creek, Pineville, Jonesburg and Oil City.  

The trains follow a timetable as rigidly as do their prototypes, and the entire system is operated under a book of rules as strict as that of any bona fide line.

In fact, the Westchester Club is the only one which boasts a printed book of rules, based on that of the New Haven Railroad, and revised for model purposes.  The trains cannot be touched by hand when the system is operating except for coupling and uncoupling, and for manipulating the locomotives' forward and reverse shift levers.

Such talk, over the loudspeaker, as 'First number 29 ready on track 8,' is routine.  The yardmaster at Central City is the voice behind that one, and the signalman at Tower TW calls to the Roundhouse foreman for an 'Engine for first 29.'  He is busy lining up switches and setting the signal for the heavy passenger locomotive that will pull the first section of the Eastern Lines' crack all-Pullman night train, The Owl.

Seldom a Wreck

An idea of the number of scale model trains owned by the club is gained from the fact that the timetable schedules 28 passenger trains and as many 'extras' as possible.  So detailed and automatic is the signal system governing the movements of all trains that wrecks are infrequent.

There are 55 locomotives of all types, new and old, available on the engine roster.  In almost every instance they were built from scaled-down plans for the actual engine.  

It takes from 100 to 500 hours to build a locomotive.  Fully detailed passenger cars take much less time and a freight car can be constructed in 12 to 15 hours.

The club has a well-equipped machine shop where almost any kind of light work can be done.  Usually, the only parts purchased are the motors and driving gears -- the rest being made from raw metal stock.  

Aside from the locomotives, the club members own some 200 passenger cars of all types -- Pullmans, diners, coaches, baggage, mail, express and express refrigerator.  There are more than 350 freight cars, including at least one of every type seen on the big roads.  In addition, there are 'non-revenue' cars such as work and wrecking cars, wrecking cranes, and a wire train to keep the overhead trolley on the electrified mountain line in repair.  (The main line is third-rail-operated.)

A Realistic Line

Along the right of way are numerous construction details and structures which add realism to the line, while the scenic backgrounds are done to exact scale.

To operate the system efficiently a regular 'crew' of 20 men is required, including towermen, yardmen, engineers, conductors, roundhouse men and station masters.  In addition, there are a train-master, dispatcher, and a maintenance man.

The members have a seniority system, just as the regular lines do, and receive demerits for various 'offenses.'  Many of these result in demotion, and other members can then 'bid' for the open position.

Included in the system are two large freight classification yards and two large passenger equipment yards, and there is a nine-stall roundhouse to service locomotives.

The transfer table which enables locomotives and trains to enter the repair shop is said to be the only one in the country.

Including the Westchester Club there are 173 known clubs, numbering 10,000 members, whose equipment is valued at $1,000,000, in the National Model Railroad Association.

Grocer Is President

Russell H. Lockwood, a wholesale grocer of 4354 Richardson Avenue, North Bronx, is president of the local club; Mr. Shropshire is superintendent.

Typical of the zeal with which the members apply themselves to their hobby is that shown by Manfred Lausch, forty, vice-president and secretary, of 1470 Midland Avenue, Bronxville.

Lausch, a bank employee at the Empire Trust Company, New York City, was one of the eight members who saw service during the war.  As a boy, in Berlin, he had hoped to follow in his dad's footsteps as the manager of a locomotive plant.  His grandfather was the engineer of an express train in Germany -- railroading ran in the family.

But illness, brought about by malnutrition and privation after the first World War, forced Lausch to take up banking five years before he came to America 20 years ago.

1,702 Rivets -- By Hand!

He joined the club in 1937 and his first model was a Texas and Pacific line locomotive known, because of its wheel arrangement, as a 'two-ten-four.'  That model took him three years to build because he put in 1,702 scale rivets by hand, scorning the machine which stamps a boiler to make it appear riveted.  For Lausch, that locomotive was truly a 'labor of love.'

In the Army, Lausch, who is a dispatcher on the system, served two years as a corporal in an Ordinance Research and Developing Center.

Although this same type of keen interest in the hobby has resulted in a system which should delight even the most ardent model railroad fan, the members say they will not rest on their laurels.

New tracks and lines are planned for the future to handle the constantly increasing supply of rolling stock and, as George D. Barclay, 141 East Lincoln Avenue, Mount Vernon, declared in commenting on the 50,000 feet of electrical wiring he put down:

'There's lots more to go, still.'

Members From City And Vicinity Activity In Model Railroad Club

From Mount Vernon:  John H. Adams, 45 Park Avenue; George D. Barclay, 141 East Lincoln Avenue; Adelbert Barrus, 410 Hancock Avenue; Whitney Elliot, 353 South Second Avenue; Robert W. Foster, 154 West Lincoln Avenue; William Johnston, 284 South Columbus Avenue; Jerome Lynch, 10 North Fulton Avenue; John F. Munn, 299 East Third Street; Rollin S. Myers, 24 Lexington Avenue; Ellis Rietzel, 54 South Second Avenue; Basil A. H. Slade, 23 East Prospect Avenue; Arthur Q. Smith, 10 North Fulton Avenue, and Emil Smith, 30 Melrose Avenue.

From Bronxville:  William H. Hubbard, 38 Elm Rock Road; from Crestwood, Fred R. Nagel, 178 Westchester Avenue; from Tuckahoe, W. E. Shropshire, 101 Belle Vista Avenue.

From the Pelhams:  Dean W. Chute, 143 Fourth Avenue, North Pelham, and Robert D. Hickok, 82 Monroe Street, Pelham Manor.

From the North Bronx:  Frank Chambers, 1803 Pitman Avenue; Charles W. Dill, 426 Minneford Avenue, City Island; Russell H. Lockwood, 4354 Richardson Avenue; Patrick Nardell, 1806 McGraw Avenue; Carl Netter, 1749 Grand Concourse; Louis Schmidt, 1470 Parkchester Road; Elbert Ward, 33 Schofield Street, City Island; and George Wiesner, 446 East 185th Street."

Source:  Williams, Robert, Old Pelham Manor Station Houses World's Largest Model Railroad -- Hobby Group Operates Line Worth $25,000, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 30, 1946, p. 6, cols. 1-8.  

"Tiny Railroad To End Runs

PELHAM MANOR -- 

The 'world's largest operating scale model railroad,' the Eastern Lines of the Westchester Model Club Inc., is preparing for its last run.  The New Haven Railroad station building in which the exhibit is housed is expected to be condemned for the proposed New England Thruway.

Final runs will be from 2 to 10 P.M. Saturdays and Sundays for three successive weekends beginning April 11 and ending April 26.  The club hopes, however, to relocate to other quarters and continue the hobby.  

The club was formed in 1934 and it required 12 years to complete the layout, which includes 3,500 feet of track, 50,000 feet of wire, 65 locomotives, 500 freight cars and 150 passenger cars, all built to scale.  Most of the equipment was built in the club's machine shop.  About 20 men are required to operate the system."

Source:  Tiny Railroad To End Runs, Bronxville Review Press and Reporter [Bronxville, NY], Apr. 9, 1953, p. 2, col. 3.  

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