Historic Pelham

Presenting the rich history of Pelham, NY in Westchester County: current historical research, descriptions of how to research Pelham history online and genealogy discussions of Pelham families.

Friday, May 25, 2018

Pelham Manor Cracked Down on Proliferation of Miniature Golf and Golf Driving Ranges in the Early 1930s


During the late 1920s and early 1930s, the nation's interest in golf was at a fever pitch.  Pelham was no exception.  

One manifestation of golf fever was the proliferation of so-called "midget golf courses."  These are courses we think of today as "short courses," akin to a smaller "par 3 course."  Another type of course that swept the nation was a "Tom Thumb course," otherwise known as a "putt putt course" -- what we think of today as a true "miniature golf course."  Indeed, I have written before of two such Tom Thumb courses that opened in 1930 in the Village of North Pelham.  See Tue., Dec. 09, 2014:  The Miniature Golf Craze Hits Pelham in 1930 as Two "Tom Thumb" Golf Courses Open.  

During this nationwide golf craze, driving ranges and a short course opened in the Village of Pelham Manor as well.  Today's Historic Pelham Blog article tells the story of those Pelham Manor driving ranges and short course. 

The Pelham Driving Range

By either late 1929 or early 1930, a man named Thomas Alton opened an extensive golf driving range along Boston Post Road in the Village of Pelham Manor near the Hutchinson River Parkway.  Alton named the facility "Pelham Golf Range."  It also was referenced as the "Pelham Driving Range" and the "Boston Post Driving Range."  



1932 Advertisement for the "Pelham Golf Range."  Source:
PELHAM GOLF RANGE, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 3, 1932,
p. 11, col. 8.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

As the advertisement above notes, when the range opened lessons were available and a pail of golf balls cost 35 cents.  The facility also advertised itself as "THE FINEST RANGE IN WESTCHESTER" (see advertisement immediately below).  


1931 Advertisement for the "Pelham Golf Driving Range."  Source:
[Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 20, 1931, p. 22, cols 3-4.  NOTE:  Click
on Image to Enlarge.

The Pelham Golf Driving Range gained some notoriety when, on Sunday, May 10, 1931, a terrible electrical storm swept over Pelham.  As the lightning began, three employees of the facility began running for cover toward a small shed on the range.  As they ran, a massive lightning bolt struck near them, knocking all three unconscious.  Others nearby phoned the police.  

Motorcycle patrolman Thomas Fagan arrived and found James McFarland, 22, William Dorasch, 18, and Thomas Alton, 33 unconscious.  He applied first aid and brought two of the men back to consciousness.  An ambulance arrived and took the three men to New Rochelle Hospital where two were promptly released and the third was held for observation though he also recovered.

The Pelham Golf Driving Range had a constant problem with trespassers who would sneak onto the range at night and steal golf balls.  Finally the owner, Tom Alton, seemed to follow a zero tolerance policy and prosecuted all who were caught -- even when they were caught with as few as three golf balls.  Culprits were dragged into the Pelham Manor police court repeatedly -- and usually were residents of New York City, New Rochelle, and Mount Vernon.

By at least 1936 if not before, ownership of the driving range had changed.  Arthur Milton became the owner and the facility was renamed "Milton's Driving Range."  It became a location where members of the Pelham Memorial High School Driving Club practiced.

Although research has not yet revealed when the facility closed, it continued to operate as late as 1941.

The Pelham Manor Junior Golf Course

A man named Jules Kibel (also misspelled "Kibble") opened a golf short course on September 27, 1930 named the "Pelham Manor Junior Golf Course."  Although a number of newspaper references to its location were imprecise (and even erroneous), it was located southeast of the intersection of Boston Post Road and Pelhamdale Avenue in part of an area between today's Boston Post Road and Wynnewood Avenue once owned by Arthur W. Cole (through Colco Inc.).  The map detail immediately below shows the rough location of the short course and driving range.



Detail from 1929 Map With Arrow Indicating Approximate Location
of the Pelham Manor Junior Golf Course and Driving Range on Land
of Arthur Cole (Owned Through Colco Inc.).  Source:  G. M. Hopkins
Co., Atlas of Westchester County, Vol. 1, Pg. 2 (Philadelphia, PA:
G. M. Hopkins Co., 1929).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

At first the short course offered mere golf experience for those interested in playing short clubs on a small course chock full of hazards.  In early July, 1931, however, Jules Kibel announced the opening of a new driving range "installed alongside of the attractive fairways of the miniature golf course."  Thus, the facility offered "not only the popular approach game" on its short fairways, but also the opportunity to practice long drives on a range that even offered distance targets as "an opportunity for those who like to smack them out for great distances."  

The Pelham Manor Junior Golf Course on the Boston road east of Pelhamdale avenue is now equipped to suit all the requirements of the golfing enthusiast who likes his game to be centered in a small space.  A new driving range has been installed alongside of the attractive fairways of the miniature golf course.  Here not only the popular approach game can be played but there is also an opportunity for those who like to smack them out for great distances."

The new driving range at Pelhamdale Avenue and Boston Post Road charged fifty cents per bucket of balls.  It cost twenty-five cents for adults and fifteen cents for children to play a round of golf on the adjoining short course.  According to one advertisement, a competition was held each Wednesday night for a $5 prize and free automobile parking adjoining the driving range.  

Some in Pelham Manor welcomed the "midget golf course" as it often was called.  Before construction of the course, there stood on a portion of the property an "unsightly pile of bricks" that had been there "for several years."  According to one account, the course was "beautifully landscaped, shrubs have been planted and an ingenious brook winds its way across the fairways which offer many hazards."  Interestingly, the short fairways were not of grass.  They were a mixture of "sand, clay and green slate granules" which required grooming, but not the sort of grounds keeping maintenance of an ordinary golf course.  According to an advertisement when the short course opened in 1930:

"Over 24,000 square feet of the finest playing greens and fairways that can be found anywhere makes playing the popular miniature golf here the most pleasant and healthful sport of all!  The course is three times as large as the average and offers natural water and tree hazards and sand traps that are found only on the best of full-sized golf courses.  You'll need mashie-niblicks here as well as putters -- we supply them with the balls."

Efforts by Pelham Manor to Limit the Spread of Such Golf Facilities

Others in Pelham Manor were outraged at the opening of the new "midget course" known as the Pelham Manor Junior Golf Course.  First, they were offended that the facility opened at what then was considered the very heart of Pelham Manor:  Four Corners.  Second, they were fearful that with two relatively new golf facilities along Boston Post Road within a few hundred yards of each other, Pelham Manor soon would be "dotted" with such miniature courses.  

Indeed, there were substantial objections to the short course at Four Corners nearly from the beginning.  The day before the course opened and on the same day that a full page advertisement for the small course appeared in the local newspaper, the front page of the same newspaper (The Pelham Sun) reported on the status of a proposed zoning ordinance to ban driving ranges, miniature golf courses, and so-called "Tom Thumb" golf courses (so-called putt-putt courses or true miniature golf facilities.  The newspaper reported:

"Determined that the Village of Pelham Manor will not be dotted with miniature golf courses, the Board of Trustees has enacted an ordinance preventing the construction of any new golf course or golf range, conducted for profit, outside of the industrial district.  The miniature golf course which will be opened on the Boston road east of Pelhamdale avenue will not be ousted as the ordinance will not be effective until after a public hearing is held on October 6.  Mayor Lawrence F. Sherman told The Pelham Sun that the village could not block the opening of this course as no buildings are to be constructed thereon.  A permit for a caddy house was denied by the building department.  In the meantime a storm of protest has been heard from residents of the Boston road district.  Their contention is that the zoning ordinance bars any business except as an integral part of an apartment house.  Threats of suit to force the trustees to halt the construction of the course has been heard.  At the public hearing the trustees will be required to explain why the existing zone ordinance does not already prevent the construction of such courses as described in the amendment."

A few months later, on May 13, 1931, the Pelham Manor Zoning Board followed the building department's lead and denied a permit for the Pelham Manor Junior Golf Course to build the "caddy house" it sought on the course.

There were other issues associated with the small golf facilities.  For example, police repeatedly had to respond to incidents of young people trespassing at the facilities as well as large thefts of range golf balls (as many as 3,000 in one instance).  

Despite such concerns, the Pelham Golf Driving Range and the Pelham Manor Junior Golf Facility with its driving range were popular recreation destinations for a number of years.

The proposed zoning ordinance banning such facilities passed.  Pelham Manor, it would seem, would be spared the horror of proliferating golf facilities.


Full Page Advertisement Announcing the Opening of the Pelham
Manor Junior Golf Course on September 27, 1930.  Source:  "THE
The Pelham Sun, Sep. 26, 1930, Vol. 21, No. 26, p. 5 (Full-Page Ad).
NOTE:  Text Transcribed Immediately Below; Click on Image to Enlarge.

"'The greens are marvelous -- so accurate and even!'

'The fairways are of sand, clay and green slate granules!'

'THE PELHAM MANOR JUNIOR GOLF COURSE' OPENS TOMORROW SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th

You and your friends are cordially invited to inspect Westchester County's most Beautiful and Scientific Miniature Golf Course.

Over 24,000 square feet of the finest playing greens and fairways that can be found anywhere makes playing the popular miniature golf here the most pleasant and healthful sport of all!  The course is three times as large as the average and offers natural water and tree hazards and sand traps that are found only on the best of full-sized golf courses.  You'll need mashie-niblicks here as well as putters -- we supply them with the balls.

PELHAM MANOR JUNIOR GOLF COURSE
North of Pelhamdale Avenue on the Boston Post Road Next to Manor Gas Station

CHILDREN -- 25 cents
ADULTS -- 35 cents
Until Six P. M.

ADULTS -- 50 cents Evenings, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays

FREE PARKING IN OUR WELL LIGHTED PARKING SECTION WHICH ADJOINS THE COURSE"



July 2, 1931 Advertisement Announcing Addition of a Driving Range at
the Pelham Manor Junior Golf Course at Pelhamdale Avenue and Boston
Post Road.  Source:  NEW SPORT AT JUNIOR COURSE IN PELHAM
Golf CourseThe Pelham Sun, Jul. 2, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 14, p. 11, col. 6.
NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.



1930 Advertisement for the Pelham Manor Junior Golf Course.
MANOR JUNIOR GOLF COURSE, The Pelham Sun, Oct. 3, 1930,
Vol. 21, No. 27, p. 2, cols. 5-8.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge;
Transcription of Text Appears Immediately Below.


"There is a TOUCH OF REFINEMENT About the PELHAM MANOR JUNIOR GOLF COURSE That attracts Refined People

Over 24,000 square feet of the finest playing greens and fairways that can be found anywhere makes playing the popular miniature golf here the most pleasant and healthful sport of all!  The course is three times as large as the average and offers natural water and tree hazards and sand traps that are found only on the best of full sized golf courses.  You'll need mashie-niblicks here as well as putters -- we supply them with the balls.

PELHAM MANOR JUNIOR GOLF COURSE

NORTH OF PELHAMDALE AVENUE ON THE BOSTON POST ROAD

FREE PARKING IN OUR WELL LIGHTED PARKING SECTION WHICH ADJOINS THE COURSE"

*          *          *          *           *

"PREVENT SPREAD OF MIDGET GOLF COURSES IN MANOR
-----
Public Hearing on Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Be Held Oct. 6.  Opposition Strong.
-----

Determined that the Village of Pelham Manor will not be dotted with miniature golf courses, the Board of Trustees has enacted an ordinance preventing the construction of any new golf course or golf range, conducted for profit, outside of the industrial district.  The miniature golf course which will be opened on the Boston road east of Pelhamdale avenue will not be ousted as the ordinance will not be effective until after a public hearing is held on October 6.

Mayor Lawrence F. Sherman told The Pelham Sun that the village could not block the opening of this course as no buildings are to be constructed thereon.  A permit for a caddy house was denied by the building department.

In the meantime a storm of protest has been heard from residents of the Boston road district.  Their contention is that the zoning ordinance bars any business except as an integral part of an apartment house.  Threats of suit to force the trustees to halt the construction of the course has been heard.  At the public hearing the trustees will be required to explain why the existing zone ordinance does not already prevent the construction of such courses as described in the amendment.

In the meantime Jules Kibel, proprietor of the Pelham Manor Junior Golf Course has installed a picturesque miniature course on the property adjacent to the old Red Church building.  The ground is owned by Arthur W. Cole.  The golf course has replaced the unsightly pile of bricks that occupied the property for several years.  Kibel has laid his course out in a manner different to the usual variety of midget courses.

The course is beautifully landscaped, shrubs have been planted and an ingenious brook winds its way across the fairways which offer many hazards.

The new course will open to the public tomorrow afternoon."

Source:  PREVENT SPREAD OF MIDGET GOLF COURSES IN MANOR -- Public Hearing on Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Be Held Oct. 6.  Opposition Strong, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 26, 1930, Vol. 21, No. 26, p. 1, col. 6.  

"TRESPASS ON GOLF RANGE; FINED $2
-----

Four youths were fined $2 each on charges of trespassing brought by Thomas Alton, of No. 637 James street, Pelham Manor, owner of the Pelham Driving Range.  In Pelham Manor court last night Alton said that the youths had been very sarcastic when he had asked them to get off the range, which is located on the Boston Post road near the Hutchinson River parkway.

The youths were:  Charles Garetta, 21, of No. 109 South 12th avenue; Vincent Fagano, 22, of No. 211 South 12th avenue; Anthony Tusillo, 20, of No. 216 South 6th avenue; all of Mount Vernon; and John Sacco, 19, of No. 45 Seton avenue, Bronx.

The quartette was arrested by Patrolman Thomas Fagan on Tuesday night while they were crossing the Secor Lane dumping ground after leaving the golf range.  At that time they told the policeman that they were looking for rats.

The youths told Judge John C. Townsend last night that they had left after Alton had directed them to go.  They had no golf balls on their persons when arrested."

Source:  TRESPASS ON GOLF RANGE; FINED $2, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 26, 1930, Vol. 21, No. 26, p. 4, col. 3.  

"STEAL 639 BALLS, PAY TWO $25 FINES
-----

Fines of $25 were imposed on Anthony Cassino, twenty, and Nicholas Larusso, seventeen, of New Rochelle by Judge Floyd Price in Pelham Manor Court last night.  The youths pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing golf balls from the Pelham Driving Range at Hutchinson Parkway and the Boston Post Road yesterday morning.  

Sergeant Michael Grady of the Pelham Manor Police saw the boys collecting the balls, waited until they had filled a burlap bag, and then arrested them as they left the range. 

They had labored from sunrise to 7 o'clock in gathering 639 balls from the grounds, they said."

Source:  STEAL 639 BALLS, PAY TWO $25 FINES, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 21, 1930, p. 22, col. 5.  

"MIDGET GOLFERS READY FOR TINY TOURNAMENTS
-----
Driving Range and Miniature Golf Courses Will Soon Be in Shape For Enthusiasts.
-----

With the activity around local pint-sized golf courses, it is easy to imagine that in the spring a young man's fancy turns to light forms of golf.  The knights of the driving range and putting courses are eager to be back of their less tiring games and there is every indication that the season will soon be at the same height that it ws ere the chilly winds put an end to activities last fall.

Over in Pelham Manor the Boston Post Road Driving Range has gotten its game under way early, and hooks and slices have been mixing in with long drives for the last two weeks.  For those to whom golf means simply a bucket of balls and a driver the range is proving most attractive.

But for those who take their game seriously and meticulously tap a pellet around a course clogged with rabbit hutches, hollow logs and over teaspoon water hazards, the Tom Thumb links will soon be ready.  Joe Carraher who presides over the North Pelham Tom Thumb Course on Fourth street, hopes to get his links in shape for opening tomorrow.  Angelo Da Quisto and Vincent Smith who fought it out for the local championship last year are eager to get into the game again; so cries of 'fore,' and sometimes five and six will soon be heard on the midget course.

The Pelham Manor Junior Country Club on the Boston Road will also be in shape within a few days."

Source:  MIDGET GOLFERS READY FOR TINY TOURNAMENTS -- Driving Range and Miniature Golf Courses Will Soon Be in Shape For Enthusiasts, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 24, 1931, p. 11, col. 2.  

"3 MEN RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS BY LIGHTNING BOLT
-----
Sudden Storm Did Damage in Pelham on Sunday Night; Peculiar Accident at Golf Range.
-----

Three men, employees of the Pelham Golf Driving Range at Hutchinson River Parkway and Boston Post Road, Pelham Manor, were rendered unconscious Sunday night during the severe electrical storm when a bolt of lightning struck the range near them.

The trio, James McFarland, 22, of No. 416 Bedford Avenue, and William Dorasch, 18, of No. 259 South Third avenue, both of Mount Vernon, and Thomas Alton, 33, of 3565 Ropes avenue, New York City, were rushed to New Rochelle Hospital in an ambulance.

Motorcycle Officer Thomas Fagan who was detailed to the scene following a telephone call to headquarters that three men had been struck by lightning, found the men lying unconscious in the mud a short distance from a shed on the range.

Officer Fagan, immediately upon discovering the three bodies, applied first aid methods and brought two of the trio back to consciousness before the arrival of the ambulance.

At the hospital, all three were treated for shock and Alton held for observation.  Hospital officials desired to hold McFarland for observation but he refused to stay and was allowed to go home.

The men said that they had been working on the range and had headed for the shed for shelter when the storm broke.  They had almost reached the building when the lightning struck near them and they were rendered unconscious.

Damage by the storm in Pelham was slight with the exception of a large number of branches of trees that were blown down.  The streets of all three villages were littered with leaves.  

Homes in North Pelham were plunged into darkness shortly after 8:30 o'clock when the storm damaged lighting wires in that village.  Police notified the Westchester Lighting Company that all lights between First and Sixth Streets on First, Second and Third avenues were out.  Emergency crews got to work as soon as possible and repaired the damage so that service was resumed shortly after midnight.

In Pelham Heights, a large tree on First street was struck by lightning and one section of the trunk split and the bark peeled off."

Source:  3 MEN RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS BY LIGHTNING BOLT -- Sudden Storm Did Damage in Pelham on Sunday Night; Peculiar Accident at Golf Range, The Pelham Sun, May 15, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 7, p. 1, col. 6.

"Permit Denied
-----

The Pelham Manor Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday night reviewed the application of the Pelham Manor Junior Golf Course for a permit to construct a caddy house at the course which is located on the Boston road east of Pelhamdale avenue.  The permit was denied."

Source:  Permit Denied, The Pelham Sun, May 15, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 7, p. 1, col. 1.

"NEW SPORT AT JUNIOR COURSE IN PELHAM MANOR
-----
Driving Range Added to Sports Facilities of Attractive Miniature Golf Course.
-----

The Pelham Manor Junior Golf Course on the Boston road east of Pelhamdale avenue is now equipped to suit all the requirements of the golfing enthusiast who likes his game to be centered in a small space.  A new driving range has been installed alongside of the attractive fairways of the miniature golf course.  Here not only the popular approach game can be played but there is also an opportunity for those who like to smack them out for great distances.

Targets have been arranged for those who are able to regulate their direction accurately.

Jules Kibble is proprietor of the Pelham Manor Junior Golf Course."

Source:  NEW SPORT AT JUNIOR COURSE IN PELHAM MANOR -- Driving Range Added to Sports Facilities of Attractive Miniature Golf Course, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 2, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 14, p. 11, col. 6.

"PELHAM MANOR
CHARGE DISMISSED

A petty larceny charge against Ernest Garcian of Manchester, N. H., was dismissed by Judge Floyd Price in Pelham Manor Court last night.  Garcian had been picked up on the Boston Road by Sergeant Grady and Patrolman Smith.  He admitted having been on the property of the Pelham Driving Range, the manager of which appeared last night to press the charge of larceny of three golf balls."

Source:  PELHAM MANOR -- CHARGE DISMISSED, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 30, 1931, p. 14, col. 4.  

"BOYS CHARGED WITH GOLF BALL THEFT
-----

Four young New Rochelle boys were taken into custody by Pelham Manor police on Wednesday afternoon on complaint of Tom Alton of the Pelham Driving Range on Boston Post road, that they had stolen golf balls from his range.

When arrested the boys had 33 golf balls.  They were turned over to Children's Court authorities."

Source:  BOYS CHARGED WITH GOLF BALL THEFT, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 28, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 22, p. 1, col. 5.  

"BOYS CHARGED WITH GOLF BALL THEFT
-----

Charged with the theft of 80 golf balls from the Pelham Driving Range on Boston Post road, Pelham Manor, Edward Olson, 17, of No. 4029 Hill avenue, and Oscar Larson, 18, 2108 Strang avenue, both of the Bronx, pleaded not guilty before Judge Frank Roberson in Manor court last night.  The court found them guilty of petit larceny and suspended sentence.

The boys were arrested by Mount Vernon police on Wednesday afternoon on complaint of Thomas Alton, proprietor of the driving range.  Alton charged that the boys had stolen the balls from his property.  They were taken to Pelham Manor and later released in bail of $25.00 each, pending trial."

Source:  BOYS CHARGED WITH GOLF BALL THEFT, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 11, 1932, p. 8, col. 7.  

"Fine For Blasting Without A Permit
-----

Carlo Petrillo, contractor, of No. 114 Primrose avenue, Mount Vernon, was fined $15.00 in Pelham Manor  police court Friday night when he was found guilty by Judge James Male on a charge of blasting without a permit.  

Petrillo, who was summoned by Arthur W. Fawcett, acting chief of the Manor Fire Department, was charged with blasting rock on the golf driving range at Boston Post Road and the Hutchinson River Parkway."

Source:  Fine For Blasting Without A Permit, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 6, 1934, p. 12, col. 2.

"Reports Theft of 3,000 Golf Balls
-----

Three thousand golf balls, valued at $85.00 and the property of the Pelham Manor Driving Range at Boston road and Hutchinson River Parkway, were reported stolen Wednesday morning by William Scanlon, owner of the establishment.  Pelham Manor police sent out an alarm notifying county police departments of the theft in case attempts were made to dispose of the balls.  The balls were contained in cloth bags and were 'seconds.'

Scanlon discovered the theft Wednesday morning when he opened the frame building in which he stores his equipment.  Police investigated but were unable to find any trace of forced entry.  During the night the premises were inspected several times by policemen on their tours of duty, but everything was reported all right."

Source:  Reports Theft of 3,000 Golf Balls, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 20, 1934, Vol. 25, No. 5, p. 1, col. 6.  

"THEFT CHARGES ARE WITHDRAWN
-----
Driving Range Owner Drops Case Against Two Suspects
-----
(Special To The Daily Argus)

PELHAM MANOR, Aug. 26 -- Charges of petit larceny in connection with the theft of golf balls were withdrawn by the owner of the Pelham driving range in Village Court last night.

Louis De Caprio, twenty-eight, and Guisseppe Fuselli, twenty-one, both of New York City, were arrested Sunday on the complaint of Arthur Milton, owner of the range.  Milton told the Court he wished to withdraw the charges, but stipulated the men must keep away from Pelham.

'We are continually having golf balls stolen,' Mr. Milton said, 'but I don't want to press charges, because Caprio is trying for a Civil Service position.'

Fuselli received a suspended sentence for driving without a registration card."

Source:  THEFT CHARGES ARE WITHDRAWN -- Driving Range Owner Drops Case Against Two Suspects, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 26, 1936, p. 4, col. 5.  

"LEGAL NOTICE
-----
APRIL, 1938
PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE for the VILLAGE OF PELHAM MANOR New York
Prepared by RUDOLPH P. MILLER Consulting Engineer
New York, N. Y.
Revised by the ZONING COMMISSION of the Village of Pelham Manor after a public hearing on March 21, 1938. . . . 

Section 32 -- GENERAL RESTRICTIONS.

     1. -- New Buildings and Uses.  No building or structure shall hereafter be erected, and no existing building or structure shall hereafter be enlarged or otherwise structurally altered, to be used or occupied for any purpose other than a use permitted in the district in which the building or land is located.

     2. -- Existing Buildings and Uses.  (a)  The lawful use of a building heretofore erected, or of a building heretofore authorized by a building permit lawfully issued and the construction of which, at the time this ordinance became effective, was actually begun and diligently prosecuted, may be continued, although such use does not conform with the provisions of this ordinance.

     (b)  No non-conforming use shall be extended so as to displace a conforming residential use.

     3. -- Non-Conforming Use. (a) The lawful use of any land existing at the time of this ordinance is adopted may be continued, although such use does not conform with the provisions of this ordinance.

     (b)  Whenever a non-conforming use of a building or of any land has been discontinued such building or land shall not be used or occupied for any purpose other than a use permitted in the district in which the building or land is located.  A change of ownership or tenancy shall not be deemed a discontinuance of use, provided the occupancy is not changed to a use of different classification.

     4. -- Prohibitions.  Except as hereinafter specifically provided, the following prohibitions shall apply throughout the Village of Pelham Manor: . . . .

     (e) No building or structure shall be hereafter erected or altered, nor shall any land be used as an amusement park or motordrome, or as a driving range, Tom Thumb course, miniature golf course, or golf course of any kind, if in any case it is to be conducted or operated for hire or profit. . . ."

Source:  LEGAL NOTICE ----- APRIL, 1938 PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE for the VILLAGE OF PELHAM MANOR New York, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 22, 1938, p. 11, cols. 1-8 & p. 12, cols. 1-8.  

"GOLF GROUP PRACTICES ON DRIVING RANGE
-----

Pelham High School golf group held its first practice driving session on Monday afternoon at Milton's Driving Range, Boston Post road, Pelham Manor.

The club is composed of ten boys interested in learning the finer points of golf.  It is sponsored by Carl Schilling every Monday afternoon.  The club includes:  Victor Armell, Edward Casanave, George Gow, Charles Lang, Jack Newitz, Robert Riesner, Frank Ward, Dave Hayman, Charles Schrotter and Robert Moberg."

Source:  GOLF GROUP PRACTICES ON DRIVING RANGE, The Pelham Sun, May 2, 1941, Vol. 31, No. 4, p. 3, col. 5.

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Tuesday, March 06, 2018

Traffic Light Outage at Four Corners Reminds Pelham of When Mack, the "Jovial Traffic Cop" was Out Sick


The intersection of Boston Post Road (U.S. Route 1) and Pelhamdale Avenue in the Village of Pelham Manor is a historic place.  Long known as "Red Church Corner" because of the little wooden red church that once stood there and as "Four Corners," the intersection long has been the busiest in the Village of Pelham Manor.

The Nor'easter that rampaged over the region last Friday, March 2, blew down trees and utility poles throughout Pelham, knocking out electricity including that which provided power to the traffic light at Four Corners.  Pelham Manor police erected temporary four-way stop signs at the intersection with long lines of cars at rush hour snaking carefully through the intersection for days.  (Power was restored and the light was reactivated overnight last night.)  Occasionally during the last three and a half days when traffic at the intersection became particularly bad, Pelham Manor police officers served as temporary traffic cops standing in the center of the intersection and directing traffic to move it along -- the same spot where their famous predecessor Mack the Traffic Cop once worked full time.

I have written about Pelham Manor Police Officer John "Mack" McCormack before.  See:

Mon., Feb. 24, 2014:  Mack, the Movie Star Traffic Cop of Pelham Manor, 1916-1928.

Fri., Sep. 23, 2016:  More on the History of the Police Booth at Four Corners in Pelham Manor.

Wed., Nov. 29, 2017:  Pelham Grows Up: Installation of "Silent Cop" Traffic Lights and Traffic Semaphores in the 1920s.

In mid-December, 1922, construction on Boston Post Road to widen and improve the roadway had just been completed.  Poor Mack, the "Movie Star Traffic Cop" of Pelham Manor had spent an exceedingly long time standing on his box in the center of the intersection at Four Corners trying to unsnarl the mess of traffic that tried to navigate the road construction in the area.

Then, in the second week of December something seemed amiss at Red Church Corner.  A reporter at The Pelham Sun received a phone tip that something was wrong at Four Corners and that he should take a look for himself.  The reporter took off from the newspaper offices near the Pelham train station on foot, but soon flagged down an auto to hitch a ride to Red Church Corner.

When he arrived, all seemed well.  Nothing was amiss at the recently-built stone sanctuary of the Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church.  The "Pop's Gas Station" that stood at the intersection was fine.  A small real estate office that stood at the intersection also was fine.  Slightly down the road, the Old Red Church (once the wooden sanctuary of Huguenot Memorial that was moved up Boston Post Road when the stone sanctuary was built) seemed fine.  

The reporter was puzzled until he turned to ask Mack the Jovial Traffic Cop what was wrong.  When he turned, he realized what was wrong.  Mack was not there!  

For the moment, Pelham Manor Police Officer Cornelius Ormond was standing in Mack's place.  Mack was sick with tonsillitis and was out for a few days.  As the reporter later noted:

"Mack was not there.  That's what it was -- Mack, the jovial Hibernian guardian of the crossing was not in his accustomed place.  'Wassa matter?'"

Red Church Corner was out of sorts for the few days Mack was missing in December, 1922, just like today's Four Corners was out of sorts for a few days this week when Mack's automated machine ancestor was out of commission.  Yet, for some in Pelham who know of the history of Mack the jovial traffic cop at Red Church Corner, it was particularly soothing to see Pelham Manor Police Officers helping direct traffic at the intersection over the last few days. . . . . . . . . . . 



The Police Booth at Four Corners Before Its Recent
Restoration. Note the Light Atop the Structure, Likely
Once a Green Light to Signify, When Lit, That an
Officer Such as Pelham Manor Police Officer John "Mack"
McCormack Was Present. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.



*          *          *          *          *

"Mack, Ill, Is Missed At Red Church Corner
-----
Unfamiliar Air About Historic Corner During Absence of Jovial Traffic Cop
-----

Motorists who frequent the reconstructed Boston Road have reported that there is an unfamiliar air about the historic Red Church Corner.  This report reached the Sun office and a reporter was dispatched post haste to dig out the trouble.

To give fleeter wing to the Mercuric feet of the press, the reporter hailed a passing motorist.  'Trouble at the Red Church Corner.  Want to get there on the double.  Give us a lift,' he panted, as he dashed alongside the car.  'Hop in,' was the reply, and the reporter cooled his dogs.

As the car approached the corner the reporter jumped out.  'Lemme see; Pop's gas station is still here.  That's O. K.  Huguenot Memorial Church -- O. K.; old Red Church -- O. K.; real estate office -- O. K.; everything Jake, but still there's unmistakably something wrong here.

'Ah!  There is no road work being done.  Nope nothin' doin' for a couple of days.  Say, Mack,' turning to the traffic cop, 'what's wrong aroun---'

But Mack was not there.  That's what it was -- Mack, the jovial Hibernian guardian of the crossing was not in his accustomed place.  'Wassa matter?  Where's Mack?  How did you get here?' we buzzed the questions of Officer Cornelius Ormond, who stood in McCormack's place.

'Why, Mack is sick with tonsilitis [sic].  I'm rubbin' for him for a few days.  'Sallright, he'll be back soon,' said Connie.

We did a little checking back with Chief Philip Gargan, and are now assuring Pelhamites that Mack will be back in a short time."

Source:  Mack, Ill, Is Missed At Red Church Corner -- Unfamiliar Air About Historic Corner During Absence of Jovial Traffic Cop, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 15, 1922, p. 18, col. 5.

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Friday, September 23, 2016

More on the History of the Police Booth at Four Corners in Pelham Manor


This summer, Eagle Scout candidate Matthew Spana conducted an Eagle Scout Project to revitalize Pelham Manor’s Park on Boston Post Road between the Esplanade and Pelhamdale Avenue, including the historical Police Booth that stands at Boston Post Road and Pelhamdale Avenue.  Donations from The Pelham Preservation & Garden Society, DETCO, and others helped fund the project.  The donation by Pelham Preservation was used to replace the tile roof on the Police Booth, among other things.

I have written before about that Police Booth and one of its most famous occupants, John McCormick, known as “Mack the Smiling Traffic Cop” who directed traffic at the intersection during the 1910s and 1920s. See Mon., Feb. 24, 2014:  Mack, the Movie Star Traffic Cop of Pelham Manor, 1916-1928.  Today’s posting to the Historic Pelham Blog provides more information about the historical Police Booth at Four Corners.

Research has not yet revealed when a police booth first was built at the busy intersection of Boston Post Road and Pelhamdale Avenue.  Clearly a booth stood at the intersection as early as 1926 and likely well before that.  Traffic cops including Pelham Manor Police officer John ("Mack") McCormick directed traffic from the very center of the intersection beginning as early as 1916 until early December 1926 when the first “traffic semaphore” in the Village of Pelham Manor was installed at the intersection.  It is likely that as early as 1916 there was a Police Booth at the intersection to provide shelter from bad weather and the cold to officers serving at the intersection.  It should be noted, however, that the booth was the equivalent of a miniature police station to which officers were posted each day -- not merely a weather shelter.

It is clear that the booth that stands today is not the original Police Booth. The Police Booth that stood at the same location was demolished during a violent car crash at the intersection during autumn of 1928.  Frank Cavallero of 65 Woodside Park, New Rochelle and Lambertus Godfrey of 4610 Garden Place, New York City crashed their cars at the intersection and demolished the Police Booth. Counter charges of reckless driving and opposing civil suits followed the crash. The booth was rebuilt.

It appears that the rebuilt Police Booth was first painted green (rather than the cream color with green trim and green tile roof that we see today).  A brief news story published in 1936 stated: 

“At Last. 

The police booth at Pelhamdale avenue and the Boston Road has finally been given a coat of green paint – and about time, say many who disliked its former faded green which lasted no one remembers how long.  Patrolman Mike Spillane did the job last week and found only one fault with it. ‘I got more of the paint on me than I did on the booth,’ he confided.” 

Source: At Last, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 3, 1936, p. 2, col. 3.

The Police Booth at Four Corners was far more than a mere shelter for a traffic cop.  It was a tiny police station in which officers were stationed to deal with all police matters.  News articles make clear that suspects were questioned in the little booth.  Police officers stationed in the booth were approached by victims of crimes.  People seeking police help ran or drove to the Police Booth.

Though police records likely would establish the precise dates the Police Booth was in active use, it is clear that officers were posted to the booth at least well into the 1940s.  Interestingly, older photographs of the booth show a light at the top of the booth.  During the recent renovation of the booth, it was discovered that the light was rusted through.  It was removed and a replacement is being sought.

As members of the Pelham Manor Police Department have pointed out to this author, that light likely was green at one time -- either a green bulb or, more likely, green lantern glass.  Today, green lights appear outside police stations for interesting historical reasons.  According to one author who has studied the issue:

“Whether the precinct house is old or new, all New York police stations should have two green lights flanking their entrance.  There’s a story explaining why, and it has to do with the first men who patrolled New Amsterdam in the 1650s.  Peter Stuyvesant established an eight-member “rattle watch” who were “paid a small sum to keep an eye on the growing, bustling town,” and look out for pirates, vagabonds, and robbers. . . . The rattle watchmen carried green lanterns over their shoulders on a pole, like a hobo stick, so residents could identify them in the dark, unlit streets. ‘ When the watchmen returned to the watch house after patrol, they hung their lantern on a hook by the front door to show people seeking the watchman that he was in the watch house.’ . . . ‘Today, green lights are hung outside the entrances of police precincts as a symbol that the ‘watch’ is present and vigilant.’”

Source: “The Green Lanterns Outside City Police Precincts,” Ephemeral New York Chronicling an Ever-Changing City Through Faded and Forgotten Artifacts (visited Sep. 17, 2016).

Whether the bulb or lantern ever was green or not, a green replacement would seem a fitting tribute to the Pelham Manor Police Officers, past and present, who have protected the lives and properties of Pelham Manor citizens.



The Police Booth at Four Corners Before Its Recent
Restoration. Note the Light Atop the Structure,
Likely Once a Green Light to Signify, When Lit, That an
Officer Was Present.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge

*          *          *          *          *

Adjourn Assault and Automobile Cases In Manor 
----- 
Three Cases In Pelham Manor Police Court Delayed At Request of Principals. . . . 

Counter charges of reckless driving and civil suits for damages which grew out of an accident between the cars of Frank Cavallero, of No. 65 Woodside Park, New Rochelle, and Lambertus Godfrey, of No. 4610 Garden Place, New York City, were also adjourned until Tuesday night by Judge Fetzer.  The police booth at the corner of the Boston Post road and Pelhamdale avenue was demolished in this crash.  Lee Moran, motion picture actor, is a witness in the case. . . .” 

Source:  Adjourn Assault and Automobile Cases In Manor -- Three Cases In Pelham Manor Police Court Delayed At Request of Principals, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 7, 1928, Vol. 19, No. 41, p. 11, col. 4.

"DRIVER HURT WHEN CAR TURNS OVER
-----

Sandy Ford, chauffeur for Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Joliffe of No. 40 Beech Tree Lane, Pelham Manor, suffered a strained left shoulder on Friday night when his car was struck by a truck and turned over at the intersection of Pelhamdale avenue and the Boston road.

The truck was operated by Charles Buccino, of New Haven, Conn.  Patrolman John Doyle of the Pelham Manor police, who was on duty at the police booth on the corner, reported that Buccino drove through the traffic light which was set against him.

Mr. Joliffe made a charge of reckless driving against Buccino, who failed to appear in Pelham Manor court on Tuesday night on a plea of illness.  The trial was postponed by Judge Forrest M. Anderson until May 5th."

Source:  DRIVER HURT WHEN CAR TURNS OVER, The Pelham Sun, May 1, 1936, Vol. 27, No. 4, p. 1, col. 4.  

"Neighbor Spots Thief With Silver And Furs Stolen From Residence
-----
Clue Given by Pelham Manor Woman Leads to Arrest of Negro Who Confesses to $1,500 Theft in Home of Mrs. Gertrude Johnson.
-----

"Rookie Cop Nabs Youth Wanted For Questioning About Series Of Thefts
-----

Just two days before his first month's service would have been completed, Patrolman Frank X. O'Reilly of the Pelham Manor police department made a smart capture on Wednesday afternoon.  

Patrolman O'Reilly, on duty at the police booth on the Boston Post road, spotted a youth lurking near stores at the Village Center building.  He crossed the street, whereupon the boy moved on.  The rookie policeman followed him and caught him at the Country Club.  Taking him back to the booth, he questioned him, and when his answers proved unsatisfactory, he searched the 17-year-old and found a five-inch knife and a flashlight in his pockets.  He took him to headquarters.

The youth was booked as Ezio Pace, 17, of Hartford, Conn.  Communication with Hartford police brought the information that Pace had seven times been arrested in that city and was wanted by authorities in a long series of store robberies.  

The youth was booked on a charge of vagrancy and appeared before George Lambert the same night when sentence was put over for 24 hours to allow Hartford police to take charge of the boy in Pelham Manor the next morning."

Source:  Rookie Cop Nabs Youth Wanted For Questioning About Series Of Thefts, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 28, 1941, Vol. 30, No. 48, p. 1, cols. 4-5.  


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