The Little Town of Pelham Did Not Let the Great Depression Ruin Valentine's Day in 1934

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The Great Depression continued to ravage the Nation, the State of New York, and the little Town of Pelham in 1934.  Federal authorities were trying to ease the pain.  In late January, the President signed into law the Gold Reserve Act prohibiting private ownership of gold (and doubling the set price of gold).  In mid-April the worst dust bowl dust storm ever to befall the nation hammered mid-America.  The Federal Government enacted the Soil Conservation Act in a partial effort to reduce such disasters in the future.  To make matters worse, the hottest temperatures on record were recorded that year.  According to one source "There were 29 consecutive days with temperatures at or above 100 degrees.  By the end of the year, droughts covered 75 percent of the country and 27 states.  Nearly 80 percent of the country recorded extremely dry conditions."  See The Balance, Great Depression Timeline:  1929 - 1941 (visited Feb. 9, 2019).  

Pelham lovers did not, however, allow the ravages, trials, and tribulations of the Great Depression deter them from expressing St. Valentine's Day sentiments that dark year.  Indeed, by Wednesday, February 14, 1934, the Valentine greetings shelves had been emptied throughout the little town.  According to an account in The Pelham Sun, Valentine card sales were so brisk that some Pelham merchants snuck old Valentine greetings cards from a prior year onto their shelves.  These also sold.  

Despite the Nation's, the State's, and the Town's travails, Pelhamites opted for both sentimental "gushy" Valentine's Day cards as well as some comic cards.  Meaner Pelhamites opted for insult cards.  According to the local newspaper, "In some cases, even a number of those cruel, cruel valentines of yesteryear that hold one up to ridicule, were sold."

Most interestingly, the Pelham Western Union Telegraph office was busy for St. Valentine's Day in 1934.  To make it easy for "tongue-tied lovers without a flair for self-expression in rhyme," Western Union printed a check-box form for the local telegraph office.  The form allowed busy Pelhamites simply to check a box to select a St. Valentine's Day greeting to be sent via telegram to lovers, family, and friends.  The initiative was a success.  Many more such Valentine telegrams were sent by Pelhamites in 1934 than in the previous year.  Pelhamites could choose from sentimental statements for their Valentine telegrams, including:

"At miles between us we can laugh,
our hearts entwined by telegraph."

"To my Valentine:  
you've put my heart in such a flutter, 
I wire the love my lips would utter."

"Wire back, this address, 
send collect, one word, YES."

Who needs such St. Valentine's greeting cards and telegrams anymore?  Today we busy Pelhamites have texts, instant messaging, Facebook and . . . . . . the Historic Pelham Blog.  Consequently, happy St. Valentine's Day dear Pelham!

1934 Mickey Mouse Valentine.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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To read earlier Historic Pelham articles about St. Valentine's Day in Pelham, see:

Fri., Feb. 13, 2015:  A Magical Valentine's Day in Pelham Manor in 1895.

Wed., Feb. 14, 2018:  More on a Magical Long Distance Proposal Made to a Pelham Manor Belle in 1895.

Tue., Feb. 14, 2017:  A Sad Valentine: Lovers' Attempted Elopement Thwarted by Crafty Pelham Parents in 1885.

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"St. Valentine Found No Depression in Sentiment
-----

That traditional custom of sending sentimental greetings to loved ones on St. Valentine's Day, did not seem affected by the depression, according to a number of Pelham merchants who deal in greeting cards.  Most of these shops reported their supply of cards, both sentimental and comic, were nearly exhausted by Wednesday.  In some cases, the merchants were forced to draw upon Valentines left over from last year and these were rapidly depleted.

Once again, those sentimental, gushy cards seemed to get the call over those of more comical natures.  In some cases, even a number of those cruel, cruel valentines of yesteryear that hold one up to ridicule, were sold.

Good old Western Union rose to the occasion and came through with a selection of canned sentiments.  To send these wires, described in a magazine sent to managers of telegraph offices as designed 'for the tongue-tied lovers without a flair for self-expression in rhyme,' all one had to do was to mark a cross in the box opposite the sentiment.  Among the choice specimens offered appeared the following:

'At miles between us we can laugh, our hearts entwined by telegraph.'

'To my Valentine:  you've put my heart in such a flutter, I wire the love my lips would utter.'

And then a good old business booster:

'Wire back, this address, send collect, one word, YES.'

But all joking aside, Western Union in Pelham made a better showing in Valentine Day missives than last year, and this same opinion was echoed by several local shopkeepers."

Source:  St. Valentine Found No Depression in Sentiment, The Pelham Sun, Vol. 24, No. 48, Feb. 16, 1934, p. 4, cols. 5-6.  

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Fears in 1934 and 1935 that the Historic Home Known as Pelhamdale Would Be Razed

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One of the two oldest homes in the Town of Pelham is the beautiful historic home known as "Pelhamdale."  The address of that home today is 45 Iden Avenue in the Village of Pelham Manor.  The home, expanded and changed on numerous occasions during the last 266 or so years, includes an original section believed to have been built in about the early 1750s by Philip Pell II at about the time of his marriage to Gloriana Tredwell.  Although many articles (and local histories) attribute construction of the home to David Jones Pell, a son of Philip Pell II, those references are incorrect.  

Pelhamdale is one of two Pelham residential structures still standing that include pre-Revolutionary War sections.  The other is believed to be a portion of the Kemble House located at 145 Shore Road in Pelham Manor. Pelhamdale is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Kemble House also should be so listed.  

Pelhamdale, a Pelham treasure, has been like a "cat with nine lives."  Pelhamdale's original portion was spared during the Revolutionary War.  The later-modified structure suffered the indignity of the destruction of its beautiful view and the taking of much of its land as the Hutchinson River Parkway was constructed.  It suffered a major fire in 1925.  

During the last years of the Roaring Twenties and the earliest years of the Great Depression Pelhamdale was threatened a number of times but, as one article summarized:   

"on each occasion it has been rescued at the last moment.  At various times plans have been made for its purchase by the Park Commission of Westchester County, the Westchester County Historical Society, and the local patriotic units, which conducted a rescue campaign four or five years ago, when the filing of building plans in Pelham Manor which contemplated the tearing down of the old building and its replacement by a row of houses."  (See entire article quoted below.)

In 1934 and 1935, during the height of the Great Depression, Pelhamdale was yet another Pelham Mansion whose owner needed tax relief, either by tearing the mansion down so the owners would have to pay only the taxes on the land (but not an "improvement" such as the home) or might gain some measure of relief by selling surrounding lands so that no more real estate taxes had to be paid on those surrounding lands.  Thankfully for today's Pelham, the latter path was chosen.  

There was, however, for a very long time during some of the most difficult years of the Great Depression, a question about whether one of the most historic sites in our little town would survive.  Local real estate agents, according to local newspapers, fanned the flaming reports that Pelhamdale was about to be razed to make way for many, many smaller "home lots."  

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of a number of such articles, including images where available.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

View of Pelhamdale from Iden Avenue on September

3, 2014. Source: "Pelhamdale" in Wikipedia -- The Free

Encyclopedia (visited May 7, 2016).

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"THE PELL HOUSE  Oldest house in Pelham, built about
1750 by Col. David Pell.  Source:  Hope To Save Pell
House As Historic Landmark, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 15,
1934, Vol. 25, No. 13, p. 1, cols. 4-5.  NOTE:  Click
on Image to Enlarge.

"Hope To Save Pell House As Historic Landmark
-----

Fearing the demolition of one of Pelham's most historic buildings, the old stone Pell House on Wolf's lane, Pelham Manor, a committee, representative of several town organizations, will meet at the Manor Club on Saturday morning to make plans for a campaign to raise sufficient money to save the building from destruction.

Several times during the last few years, the building, which is the oldest in Pelham, has been threatened, but on each occasion it has been rescued at the last moment.  At various times plans have been made for its purchase by the Park Commission of Westchester County, the Westchester County Historical Society, and the local patriotic units, which conducted a rescue campaign four or five years ago, when the filing of building plans in Pelham Manor which contemplated the tearing down of the old building and its replacement by a row of houses.

The property was sold a few years ago for $18,000, and at that time the estate surrounding the building swept down into the Hutchinson Valley.  Part of the land was acquired by the Westchester County Park Commission when the Hutchinson Parkway development was planned.  The reported price paid for the land needed for the parkway was $10,000.  With the boom in real estate in Pelham Manor, the price of the old mansion rose proportionately, and large mortgages were placed on the property which is now assessed at $35,000.00.  It is believed that the property can be secured at a very advantageous figure.

The Pell House stands on a knoll overlooking the Hutchinson River Valley.  It was built about 1750 by Col. David Pell, a staunch patriot and friend of General Washington.  Upon the death of Colonel Pell it was bought by James Hay, whose coat of arms embellishes the wall facing Colonial avenue.  It listed among several owners at different times, Mr. Lord of the famous firm Lord & Taylor.  When the battle of Pelham was fought 158 years ago, the old Pell House became historically notable.  Leaden bullets have been recovered from its heavy masonry."

Source:  Hope To Save Pell House As Historic Landmark, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 15, 1934, Vol. 25, No. 13, p. 1, cols. 4-5.   

"To Meet Monday To Discuss Plans For Pell House
-----

Tentative plans for a campaign to raise sufficient funds to purchase 'Pelhamdale,' the famous Revolutionary War home of Col. David Pell on Iden avenue, were discussed at a meeting held at the Manor Club on Saturday.  The voluntary committee will meet again on Monday at 10 a.m."

Source:  To Meet Monday To Discuss Plans For Pell House, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 22, 1934, Vol. 25, No. 19, p. 1, col. 2.

"BURGLAR NABBED AFTER BREAKING INTO PELL HOUSE
-----

Robert C. Rogers, 28, no home, who was arrested in Pelham Manor early Sunday morning on a charge of second degree burglary, was held for action of the Grand Jury when he was given a hearing before Judge Frank Roberson, Monday night.  Rogers was committed to the county jail pending Grand Jury action.

According to police, they were notified Monday by George Fournier, caretaker of the old Pell Mansion at No. 45 Iden avenue, that a man had broken into the house.  Patrolmen John Moore and Edward Finnan were detailed.  On their arrival, Fournier informed them that the man, after threatening him with a pocket knife, had fled from the house.

The policemen searched the grounds in the vicinity of the house and found Rogers hiding in the shrubbery.  He was taken to headquarters and after questioning, locked up pending a hearing.  According to police records, Rogers was arrested two years ago in Pelham Manor on a vagrancy charge."

Source:  BURGLAR NABBED AFTER BREAKING INTO PELL HOUSE, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 24, 1934, Vol. 25, No. 23, p. 1, col. 7.

"INTRUDER TO FACE BURGLARY CHARGE
-----
(Special To The Argus)

PELHAM MANOR, Aug. 21. --  Robert C. Rogers, twenty-eight, who according to police entered the old Pell mansion on Iden Avenue Sunday morning by removing a screen, was held for action of the Grand Jury last night by Judge Frank C. Roberson.  He is charged with burglary.

George Fournier, caretaker of the mansion and resident in the basement portion told police he heard a prowler in the building Sunday morning and was threatened when he ordered him out.

Rogers told the court he though it was all right for him to enter the building, the upper floors of which are unoccupied."

Source:  INTRUDER TO FACE BURGLARY CHARGE, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 21, 1934, p. 13, col. 5.  

"SAVE THE LANDMARK.
-----

Very definite plans are being made to raze the old Pell House in Pelham Manor.  Unless something is done to preserve this historical site, there is grave danger that it will be lost to posterity.

The property adjoins the Hutchinson River parkway, opposite the new recreation field.  Its walls are pitted with holes made by Revolutionary bullets.  Its masonry is thick enough to be the walls of a fortified castle.  There is an old world atmosphere about it that brings memories of courtly men in knee breeches and powdered wigs, of grande dames in voluminous skirts and dignified mien.  It was from Pell House that view could be obtained of the Battle of Pelham in its final stages.

Whether it be preserved through the efforts of the county historical society, be acquired by the park commission or be given to the township, it will be the result of local effort [illegible]  Only that it be preserved."

Source:  SAVE THE LANDMARK, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 30, 1934, Vol. 25, No. 37, p. 2, col. 1.

"The Pell Mansion, bespattered by bullets from muskets

of Colonial and British soldiers, is the object of fond hopes

of interested groups who would make of it an historic

shrine.  It stands at the end of Iden Avenue in Pelham

Manor near the Hutchinson River Parkway.  Source:

Historic Landmark Threatened, The Daily Argus [Mount

Vernon, NY], Jan. 8, 1935, p. 5, cols. 4-5. 

"Historic Landmark Threatened
(Special To The Daily Argus)

PELHAM, Jan. 8. -- The winds of rumor and the winds of fate are whistling around the solid square lines of the old Pell Mansion.

The historic home of the Pell family, which served as headquarters for the British General Howe while Colonial troops and Red Coats were maneuvering in this part of the County, is not as neglected in the minds of interested parties as its physical hulk appears to be, there on a gently rolling prominence near the Hutchinson River Parkway.

Intermittently there comes to the ears of the townsfolk the ominous note of 'real estate development' and as frequently are heard newer and newer alternatives to the plan to preserve it as a Pelham shrine.

No Action Yet

Pelham folks would hate to see the old stone homestead go the way of other landmarks, to make way for modern homes,but as yet no one individual or group has become steamed up to the point of action.

Many of the interested persons are convinced that through the combined efforts of a few groups plus the aid of the entire town, the Pell Mansion can be turned into an historic shrine, and still serve useful and self-maintaining purposes.

Why -- they ask -- can't it be used for a library (Pelham now has only a small public library in two rooms of the Hutchinson School) and in addition serve as a meeting place for local veterans and patriotic organizations?

Many Opportunities

Its high ceiled rooms, parqueted floors, high windows -- its solid construction, and its imposing exterior and interior would lend themselves perfectly to the idea of library, museum an[d] gathering place for organizations.

There are great possibilities, it is pointed out, in putting artists at work recording Pelham's history on the walls of the big rooms.

As the ones who are hopeful of reclaiming the building consider the many uses to which it could be put, they experience once more the sense of conviction that the idea is practical and workable -- but as yet, apparently, this conviction has not resolved itself into definite action.

And in the meantime -- when the realtors, on whose listings the ink of Pell house data has faded a dullish brown -- are asked for particulars, for instance, to state the amount of land, they get the same ominous note in their replies.  They tell the questioner -- so many 'building lots.'"

Source:  Historic Landmark Threatened, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 8, 1935, p. 5, cols. 4-5.  

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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:

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

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

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." 

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

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

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.

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The Pelham College Fund: Important During the Great Depression

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In 1929, on the very eve of the onset of the Great Depression, a group of public-spirited men in the Town of Pelham created "The Pelham College Fund."  The purpose of the fund was to identify Pelham Memorial High School graduates who needed financial aid in order to pay for college.  The fund awarded ten-year loans without interest to fund a college education.

As the Great Depression worsened, the need for The Pelham College Fund grew.  By 1935 six young men and seven young women were benefiting from the fund and, according to one account, none of them would have been able to enter college without aid.  

The fund was administered by a committee with the Superintendent of Schools serving as "Advisory Head" of the Committee.  Students in need of financial aid submitted applications to the Committee which gave a preference to "students with outstanding records of achievement."  Although the intent was to raise the funds necessary to make The Pelham College Fund self-sustaining, that never occurred.  Instead, for much of the Great Depression, the local P.T.A. and other interested Pelham citizens raised the funds necessary to permit the loans to the needy students to enable them to attend college.

Pelham supported The Pelham College Fund through the entire Great Depression and World War II.  

Undated Post Card View of Pelham Memorial High School, Ca. 1938.

The creation of The Pelham College Fund seems to been prompted, at least in part, by the success of "The Students' College Fund of the Mount Vernon High School" created in May, 1923.  The goal of the fund was to raise $15,000 to allow interest earned on the fund to be gifted to needy high school students to help fund their college.  No repayment was required, but later contributions to the fund once a student was able were encouraged.  By 1926, the fund had raised $13,545, was disbursing $605 per year in assistance and was helping six students at the time.  See HIGH SCHOOL'S COLLEGE FUND NOW $13,545, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 4, 1926, p. 6, col. 4.  

In 1945, school authorities decided to rename the Pelham College Fund as the Joseph C. Brown Student Fund in memorial to the late Superintendent of Schools, Joseph C. Brown.  That year the fund raised $3,127.26 to assist "worthy students continue their education after graduation from Pelham Memorial High School."  Additionally, in 1945, the Pelham Teachers Association joined the P.T.A. in sponsoring the fund.  See Mrs. J. B. Kellock Elected Head of P.T.A. of P.T.A. For 1945-6, The Pelham Sun, May 10, 1945, p. 1, col. 3.  

Thereafter, the Joseph C. Brown Student Fund continued its mission, demonstrating the dedication and leadership of the Pelham Teachers Association and the Pelham P.T.A. in efforts to ensure that graduating Pelham Memorial High School students who wished to attend college would be able to attend.  Those efforts have continued, in a variety of ways, to this day.

Below are transcriptions to a few of the many, many articles that deal with the Pelham College Fund.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"Dental Clinic and Scholarship Fund To Benefit By P.T.A. Bridge Parties
-----
Groups in All Schools Will Hold Benefit Social Functions on Monday, February 4th to Aid Worthy Projects.
-----

The annual P.T.A. bridge parties will be held in all the Elementary Schools of the Pelhams, Hutchinson, Colonial, Siwanoy and Prospect Hill, on Monday afternoon, February 4th, at 2:00 o'clock for the benefit of the Free Dental Clinic and Scholarship Fund of the Parent-Teacher Association of Pelham.  Part of the funds raised will be used to defray the expenses of the Dental Clinic in the Junior and Senior High Schools and the Elementary Schools and the Elementary Schools.  The schools provide a part-time dental hygienist who only does prophylactic work, but the Dental Clinic is to care for the many cases which the dental examination indicate need immediate attention.  These cases are those for which full payment cannot be made by parents.

The Pelham College Fund was established six years ago by a public spirited group of men, its object being to loan money to worthy Pelham High School graduates who require financial aid for a college education.  It is a ten-year loan without interest.  Six boys and seven girls are benefiting from the fund at the present time, making splendid college records.  All of these students wouldd have been unable to enter college without aid.  A committee, with Superintendent of Schools Joseph C. Brown as Advisory Head, passes upon the applicants, and the students with outstanding records of achievement are given preference.  In a short time the fund should be self-sustaining, but for the present it needs help from the P.T.A., as well as from the few private contributors who have given so liberally in the past.  The financial depression has made the Pelham College Fund a most necessary cause for the people of Pelham to sponsor.

Tickets for the parties are being sold through the class mothers of the four schools.

Mrs. Forrest M. Anderson, chairman of the P.T.A. Ways and Means Committee is acting as General Chairman.  Assisting her the following committees are making arrangements:

Hutchinson School:  Chairman, Mrs. J. A. Wotman; Tickets, Mrs. J. T. Kiley; Refreshments, Mrs. Orlin Oatman; Tables, Mrs. Wotman; Donations, Mrs. John Kruse; Candy, Mrs. William Zarnfeller.

Colonial School:  Chairman, Mrs. L. H. Amy; Tickets, Mrs. Weston Roberts.

Siwanoy School:  Chairman, Mrs. Robert Drummond; Tickets, Mrs. Lester Schmidt; Refreshments, Mrs. F. M. Dutch; Tables, Mrs. Branch Kerfoot; Donation, Mrs. Stanley Kempner; Candy, Mrs. John Campbell.

Prospect Hill:  Chairman, Mrs. Walter Schmidt; Tickets, Mrs. Robert E. Gill; Refreshments, Mrs. A. N. Hutchinson and Mrs. Arthur Retallick; Donations, Mrs. Walter Schmidt; Mrs. Arthur V. Zerbey is assisting the General Chairman in her many duties.  

The High School Benefit Bridge Party for this work will be held on Monday evening, March 25th, at 8:00 o'clock in the High School gymnasium.  Everyone in Pelham is urged to attend one or both of these delightful parties and aid in this worthy work."

Source:  Dental Clinic and Scholarship Fund To Benefit By P.T.A. Bridge Parties, The Pelham Sun, Jan. 25, 1935, p. 6, cols. 4-6.

"P. T. A. NAMES SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR JOSEPH C. BROWN

At a special executive meeting of the Pelham Parent-Teacher Association held yesterday afternoon in the High School a resolution was unanimously adopted whereby the name of the Pelham College Fund administered by the organization is changed to the Joseph C. Brown Student Fund, a memorial to the late superintendent of schools."

Source:  P. T. A. NAMES SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR JOSEPH C. BROWN, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 15, 1945, Vol. 35, No. 48, p. 1, col. 4.  

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Pelham Residents Ravaged by the Great Depression: Record Sale of Tax Liens Advertised in 1932

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Pelham was no different than most communities in the region during the Great Depression that began in late 1929 and continued through the 1930s.  Pelham was ravaged by the economic and financial calamity that beset America and the world.  

One of the most visible signs of the tragedy of the Great Depression in Pelham was the failure of the Pelham National Bank.  Organized in 1921, the bank was a successful little community bank patronized by many Pelham residents.  On January 23, 1925, the bank's fortunes changed.  Its Board of Directors named a local real estate developer flush with cash from the real estate bubble of the Roaring Twenties, John T. Brook, President of the bank.  

Brook began growing the bank and sold additional shares of stock in the bank.  He sold a plot of land he owned to the bank and built the Pelham National Bank Building that still stands at One Wolfs Lane (the former Post Office Building).  The building cost the bank an astounding $250,000.00 to build and opened on September 14, 1929, only six weeks before the Black Tuesday stock market crash of October 29, 1929.  

The Pelham National Bank closed on the National Bank Holiday decreed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in March, 1933 and never reopened.  It was discovered that Brook had invested bank assets in the stock market and was insolvent.  After the bank's failure, Brook was jailed after his Federal conviction for misapplying and misappropriating bank funds and received a five-year sentence.  Eventually, banking regulators were only able to return to Pelham residents pennies on the dollar as reimbursement for their lost deposits.  Some depositors lost their life savings.  To read more about the failure, see:  

Bell, Blake A., The Failure of The Pelham National Bank, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 39, Oct. 1, 2004, p. 12, col. 1.

Wed., Nov. 30, 2005:  The Pelham National Bank Building in the Village of Pelham.  

Thu., May 05, 2005:  John Thomas Brook, Real Estate Developer and Failed Bank President.

Wed., Feb. 19, 2014:  Dedication of the Post Office in the Pelham National Bank Building and More About Old Post Offices.

John T. Brook, Ca. 1924-25.

Source:  French, Alvah P., ed., History of Westchester County

New York, Vol. V, pp. 170-71 (NY, NY & Chicago, IL: 

Lewis Historical Publishing Co. 1925).

NOTE:  Click Image To Enlarge.

Another visible sign of the economic and financial tragedy suffered in Pelham as a consequence of the Great Depression was the massive increase in delinquent property tax payments and consequent tax liens levied against Pelham properties in 1932.  Town officials scrambled to try anything to alleviate the pain and suffering of Town residents resulting from the required sale of tax liens that they knew, in many instances, would lead to subsequent foreclosures.  Town Supervisor Joseph H. McCormick unsuccessfully sought State legislation to reduce the penalty for tax delinquencies from 12% to 7%.  Another plan to allow installment payments to pay off property taxes turned out to be administratively unworkable.  Finally, the Town proposed to postpone tax lien sales for a month to give residents a little more time to come up with the money.

On April 29, 1932, The Pelham Sun published the Notices of Sales of Tax Liens, together with an article about the massive increase in the number of tax liens offered for sale.  The list of liens covered much of three pages of the newspaper.  The listings included more than 1,300 tax liens for delinquent taxes offered for sale by the Town, the School District, the Village of North Pelham, and the Village of Pelham Manor.  The liens covered many residences as well as business including the real estate business of Pelham National Bank President John T. Brook.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of the article about the record number of tax liens offered for sale.  The text is followed by a citation and link to its source, as well as links to each of the three pages of advertised tax liens for sale.

Architect's Rendering for the Planned

Pelham National Bank Building.  Many

Pelham Residents Do Not Realize that

the Building Was Built with the Grandiose

Plan to Enable it to Expand to Nine Stories

as the Bank Grew.

"Record List Of Tax Liens Advertised; Sale May Be Put Over For Thirty Days
-----
May 25 Is Regular Date for Sale of Liens; Supervisor and Mayors of Pelham Manor and North Pelham to Consider Postponement for Benefit of Taxpayers
-----

What is believed to be the record list of tax liens is published this week and advertised for sale by Supervisor Joseph H. McCormick.  The liens cover delinquent State, County, Town and School taxes in the three Pelham villages and village taxes in North Pelham and Pelham Manor.  For the benefit of many taxpayers who are victims of the financial depression it is planned to postpone the sale from May 25 to June 24.  Supervisor McCormick and Mayors Edward B. Harder and Lawrence F. Sherman are considering the thirty day moratorium.

The postponement of the sale is expected to benefit many property owners who are in severe financial straits because of the depression.  The extension of time may permit many to prevent mortgage foreclosures and avoid interest burdens which will be imposed when the tax lien is sold.  Several proposals for relief of delinquent taxpayers have been made during the last few months.  Supervisor McCormick attempted to effect legislation to reduce the penalty for tax delinquencies from 12% to 7%, but was unsuccessful.  It has also been proposed that taxes be paid in two installments, but confusion which would result in the halving of the three separate taxes on local property caused this plan to be abandoned.

Although the 1931 delinquents are greater in number this year than previously, Receiver of Taxes Robert A. Cremins reports that many taxpayers have paid their 1932 taxes during the first month of collection.  During April no collection fee was imposed.  Beginning Monday a penalty of 2% will be added to the tax.

The list of unpaid taxes will be found on pages 3, 4 and 13 of this issue of The Pelham Sun."

Source:  Record List Of Tax Liens Advertised; Sale May Be Put Over For Thirty Days, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 29, 1932, Vol. 23, No. 6, p. 1, cols. 1-2.  See also id. at p. 3, cols. 1-4; p. 4, cols. 1-6; and p. 13, cols. 1-8.  

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Happy New Year Wishes to Pelham for 1935 at the Height of the Great Depression

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Happy New Year, Pelham!  May the year 2015 be a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year for all.

These days, of course, new year greetings typically are optimistic and positive.  They evoke warm and idealistic expectations for the upcoming year.  Unsurprisingly, things were no different in late 1934 if not, perhaps, a bit more tentative.

At the very height of The Great Depression, Pelham and its citizens were suffering.  According to published accounts, many "combination family homes" in which multiple families resided out of necessity sprang up.  Many of the downtown businesses were shuttered up.  Indeed, according to one account contained in a letter to the editor of the local newspaper:

"Merchant[s] in store after store, what few are occupied, would have more actual cash in his pocket at the end of the year if he would quit the deserted village and take to the open road with a pick and shovel.  Stacks and stacks of vacant stores, some of which are new and in splendid condition and can be rented for as low as $35 a month, are going begging."

Source:  Our Readers' Views:  A "GOOD" LETTER, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 26, 1930, Vol. 21, No. 39, p. 2, cols. 5-8.   

Despite such evidence of financial doom and gloom, in late 1934, Pelham was optimistic about the new year.  The local newspaper, The Pelham Sun, touted meager evidence that Christmas shopping strengthened in 1934.  It claimed idealistically that the lack of credit was a good thing because it was important to support business in "moderation."  It wished all a happy new year and urged everyone to have a "constructive" new year in 1935.

Both the optimism and the advice seem apt even today.  Happy New Year, Pelham!  

Below is a reminder of how optimism prevailed in Pelham even at the height of The Great Depression.  These are the wishes for a happy new year in 1935 published by The Pelham Sun on December 28, 1934.  

"THE NEW YEAR.
-----
Like the patient who is convalescing and beginning to 'feel different,' our country is beginning to experience a change for the better.  There are many recent evidences of this turn of the tide.  There are general reports among local business men that the volume of Christmas shopping was greater than had been anticipated.  Record-breaking crowds have been the rule at metropolitan centers.  As another indication of improved conditions there are reports from some of the 5c and 10c stores that Christmas shopping was off compared to last year -- an indication, perhaps that the mass of the 5c and 10c shoppers of last year had moved up a notch in the value of their purchases.

Certain is one thing.  Business is now on much shorter credit terms than before, and that is good for business in moderation; it has a definite steadying effect, and gives a much firmer foundation for progressive steps during the coming year.

We believe that one can truthfully say that the nightmare of depression has passed, and that business has reasserted itself and is definitely thinking forwardly.  

It may perhaps take another full year before the full benefit of the upswing will be felt.  Real estate, inactive for years, hand in hand with a dormant building industry, must react to the impulses of increasing population, and the dissolution of the many combination family homes that have come about through necessity during the depression.  More homes, more families, mean better markets for everything.  All this can be definitely foreseen, but the date of its arrival is still a matter of conjecture.

The coming year -- 1935 -- will, in our opinion, be a year for constructive effort.  So put on your thinking cap and plan something constructive for your business.  Follow it through with all your might.

May we wish all our readers a Happy and Constructive New Year during the coming A. D. 1935."

Source:  THE NEW YEAR, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 28, 1934, Vol. 25, No. 41, p. 2, col. 1. 

"HAPPY NEW YEAR" Post Card Based on

Currier & Ives Print. 

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