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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Detail from Undated Photograph of the Original Pelham Town Hall

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

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

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

Image to Enlarge.

Undated Post Card View of the Town Hall Showing

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

the Spanish Tile Roof of the Original Structure.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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More on How Pelham Women Swung the Vote to Build a New Town Hall in 1909

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

The history of the Town Hall of the Town of Pelham located at 34 Fifth Avenue is rich and fascinating.  I have written about that interesting history before.  See, e.g., Tue., Apr. 21, 2015:  The Early History of Pelham's Town Hall, Built in 1909.  Designed by architect Frederick Roosevelt Loney of Pelham Manor and built in 1909 to replace the previous wooden Town Hall building that burned down on the evening of October 23, 1908, Pelham Town Hall likely would be very different today were it not for the efforts and involvement of Pelham women in the special election in 1909 that authorized construction of the building. 

Recent Photograph of Pelham Town Hall. Note the Brick
Facade at the Front Entrance and the Slate Roof that Now
Adorns the Building.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

I have written about the involvement of Pelham women in authorizing the new Town Hall before (in addition to the article referenced above).  See Thu., Jan. 29, 2009:  Suffrage for Pelham Women.  Today's Historic Pelham article provides a little more background on the involvement of Pelham women in the important special election.

The Town of Pelham scheduled the special election on February 16, 1909 to authorize construction of a new Town Hall.  There were, however, two propositions on the ballot:  (1) a proposal to authorize the Town to issue $25,000 worth of bonds to fund construction of the new Town Hall to stand where the old one stood before it burned; and (2) a proposal to authorize the Town to issue an additional $5,000 worth of bonds to fund the acquisition of a large parcel adjacent to the location of the burned courthouse to enable the Town to build a larger structure and to create a fitting "park-like" approach to the new building. 

In the weeks prior to the special election, it seemed that both propositions would pass easily with low voter turnout expected.  Shortly before the special election, however, two groups opposed to the propositions gained momentum in their efforts to defeat the proposals.  Residents of the Village of Pelham Manor and the Village of Pelham (today's Pelham Heights), wanted the new Town Hall located in their respective villages and, thus, opposed any effort to fund any building to be located on the same site as the structure that burned (located in the Village of North Pelham).  A second group of Town residents opposed the propositions on the simple ground that they did not want any increase in their taxes, even though it was pointed out that "the interest annually on $25,000 at four per cent, would be only $1,000, which, spread over a a total assessed valuation of over four millions of dollars, would amount to less than one-quarter of a mill on each dollar of assessed valuation." 

On the day of the election, Town residents watched as voters streamed in and tallied the changing results as the day wore on.  By mid-morning it was apparent that the opposition groups had been more successful than thought.  The propositions looked like they might fail. 

The women of Pelham sprang into action.  Word spread throughout Pelham that all eligible voters who supported construction of the new Town Hall had better get to the voting booths to vote for the proposals.  Within a short time, as noted in many newspapers throughout the nation, automobiles, carriages, and other forms of transportation were dispatched throughout the Town to pick up women who favored construction of a new Town Hall and bring them back to the firehouse to vote.  One account claimed colorfully that women "clad in expensive gowns and furs rubbed elbows with those who had left their washtubs and household duties to cast their ballot."  As the day wore on the running vote tally suggested an exciting race.  It turned out that the race was one of the closest special elections ever, up to the time.  The proposition to build the new courthouse passed by only four votes, 86 to 82.  The second proposition to acquire a lot adjoining the Town Hall lot failed, resoundingly, by a vote of 66 in favor and 92 against.

Newspapers throughout the nation recounted the involvement of Pelham women in the decision to build a new Town Hall.  Headlines (such as those that can be seen below) included "WOMEN'S VOTES WIN PELHAM TOWN HALL" and "WOMEN AT POLLS -- Some Come in Autos, Others Desert Tubs, to Cast Ballots" appeared on the front pages of newspapers throughout the nation.  (See below.)

Pelham would have a new Town Hall.  Pelham women were among the most important players principally responsible for that decision.  

Undated Post Card View of the Town Hall Showing It Shortly

After It Was Built. Note the Stucco Surface and the Spanish Tile

Roof of the Original Structure.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"WOMEN'S VOTES WIN PELHAM TOWN HALL
-----

PELHAM, Feb. 16. -- There was a lively time here to-day when the women of this place, Pelham Heights, Pelham Manor and North Pelham voted on a proposition to erect a new town hall.  Women in automobiles and wearing expensive gowns and furs rubbed elbows with those who had left their washtubs and household duties to cast their ballots for or against the proposition, as they saw fit.

When the votes were counted, it was found that the first proposition to build a new town hall to cost $25,000, had been carried by a vote of 86 for as against 82 in opposition.  The second proposition, to purchase an additional piece of ground for $5,000, was lost, however, by a vote of 92 to 66, some of the women not voting on this at all."

Source:  WOMEN'S VOTES WIN PELHAM TOWN HALL, The Evening World [NY, NY], Feb. 16, 1909, Final Results Edition, p. 1, col. 4.  

"WOMEN AT POLLS
-----
Some Come in Autos, Others Desert Tubs, to Cast Ballots.

NEW YORK, February 17. -- There was the liveliest kind of a time to-day when the women of Pelham, Pelham Heights, Pelham Manor and North Pelham voted on a proposition to erect a new town hall.  

Women in automobiles and clad in expensive gowns and furs rubbed elbows with those who had left their washtubs and household duties to cast their ballot for or against the proposition as they saw fit.  

When the votes were counted it was found that the first proposition, to build a new town hall, to cost $125,000, had been carried by a vote of 86 to 83 [sic].  The second proposition to purchase an additional piece of ground for $5,000, was lost by a vote of 92 to 66.

Now the selection of a proper site for this new building will occupy the attention of the local authorities, and it is expected much opposition will be developed unless the new town hall is built on the site of the old one, burned by an incendiary last October."

Source:   WOMEN AT POLLS -- Some Come in Autos, Others Desert Tubs, to Cast Ballots, The Times Dispatch [Richmond, VA], Feb. 18, 1909, p. 1, col. 5.

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