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, July 20, 2018

The Long Tradition of the Mad Vehicle Scramble at the Pelham Train Station Each Day




"The more things change, the more they stay the same."

-- Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr in Les Guêpes, January 1849.

Social media, including the Mothers of Pelham (MOPs) and Dads of Pelham (DOPs) Facebook pages, frequently buzz with complaints of the daily mad scramble among vehicles and pedestrians jockeying for position as commuter trains from New York City arrive at Pelham Station on the New Haven Line.  Drivers waiting to pick up their harried commuters are park their vehicles in helter-skelter fashion, blocking access to station parking lots.  Harried commuters dart in and out of traffic without regard to crosswalks.  Unhappy drivers are stuck in long lines trying to exit the station.  Commuters race to waiting taxis only to learn that all are full.  Ah the joys of the Pelham commute!

Yet, such madcap hijinks have been part of the arrival at Pelham Train Station for nearly one hundred years (or longer)!  Indeed, a lengthy editorial appeared in a local newspaper nearly ninety years ago assailing local drivers who waited at the station for commuters without regard to the flow of traffic at a time when Pelham police routinely directed traffic in and out of the train station lots.  Indeed, the editorial suggested a host of safety improvements that it urged though many -- to this day -- have never been implemented.

During at least the late 1920s and 1930s, the Village of Pelham (Pelham Heights) Police Department had a police officer meet most late day arriving trains and direct traffic departing the station from the center of the intersection of the Connecticut-bound-side station exit, 1st Street, and Corlies Avenue.  The presence of the officer, however, seemed to make little difference, according to The Pelham Sun.

Among the complaints highlighted by the newspaper in its 1931 editorial were the following:

  • Drivers eager to get away ahead of other machines parked too closely to the entrances, blocking incoming vehicles or forcing them to steer widely into the plaza.
  • Incoming cars when trains arrive sped across the plaza in front of cars moving out.
  • Latecomers parked across from the entrance to the plaza disregarding and blocking vehicles exiting the plaza.
  • Two cars often parked in spaces measured for three vehicles.
  • Motorists parked at right angles to, and in front of cars at the curb, often blocking the passage of three vehicles.
  • Disorderly parking made it difficult for drivers to turn and back into parking places, thus adding to the confusion.
  • When passing out of the plaza, motorists failed to signal and, thus, indicate to the traffic officer the direction in which they expected to turn; instead they cut across traffic going in opposite directions and blocked the intersection.
  • First Street traffic failed to halt below the plaza entrances when cars were moving out; cars cut across the stream of traffice and halted before the officer, who is stationed at the center of the intersection.
  • Although there is ample room to park cars at the easterly end of the plaza, cars were always "crammed at the westerly end of the plaza."

Of course, nearly ninety years later, the same could have been written about the commuter arrivals last night (and every night during the intervening ninety years).  

The more things change, the more they stay the same. . . . . 


Undated Postcard View of the Pelham Station on the New
Haven Main Line.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"THE DEPOT PARKING PROBLEM
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The Cause

A survey conducted by The Pelham Sun during evening rush hours at Pelham depot this week shows that the situation has become serious mainly because of faults of motorists who meet incoming trains.  Eagerness to secure an advantageous parking place, or maintain the same one every evening; and anxiety to rush away regardless of the feelings of other motorists and pedestrians, is seen as the cause of traffic congestion.

The following facts were noted:  Although there is ample room to park cars at the easterly end of the plaza, cars are crammed at the westerly end of the plaza.  

Drivers eager to get away ahead of other machines park close to the entrances, making it necessary for incoming machines to steer widely into the plaza.  Women drivers hesitate to park against the fence at the top of the bank at the westerly end of the platform.

There is little semblance of order in parking.  Motorists unable to back their cars against the platform park at right angles to and in front of cars at the curb, often blocking the passage of three machines.

The disorderly parking makes it difficult for women drivers to turn and back into parking places, thus adding to the confusion.

The designated parking places are disregarded.  Two cars are often parked in space measured for three.

When trains arrive drivers start their engines and leave parking places to move along the plaza seeking passengers.

Incoming cars when trains arrive speed across the plaza in front of cars moving out.

Latecomers park across the entrance to the plaza disregarding machines moving out.  

Pelhamwood and North Pelham cars are parked on the Pelham Heights side of the plaza although there is ample room on the North Pelham side of the depot.

When passing out of the plaza, motorists fail to indicate to the traffic officer the direction in which they will turn; but cut across traffic going in opposite directions.

First street traffic fails to halt below the plaza entrances when cars are moving out; cars cut across the stream and halt before the officer, who is stationed at the center of the intersection.

A Solution

As a solution to the traffic problem at Pelham depot The Pelham Sun offers the following suggestion;

Construct a curbing at the top of the embankment at the westerly section of the plaza, against which motorists may park their machines in the same manner as is done against the platform.

Eliminate the freight station to provide ample room for motorists to turn their machines in a single curve.

Establish a manually operated signal light which will halt all traffic when pedestrians are crossing First street; permit traffic to pass off the easterly and westerly sections of the plaza alternately; halt first street traffic fifty feet from the plaza entrances when cars are leaving the plaza.  This semaphore will permit both passages to the plaza to be cleared without crossing traffic, and will keep incoming cars or traffic on First street and Corlies avenue from cutting into the outgoing traffic from the plaza.

Urge all motorists to observe parking regulations.

Urge that North Pelham and Pelhamwood commuters have their machines parked at the North Pelham side of the depot."

Source:  THE DEPOT PARKING PROBLEM, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 5, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 10, p. 5, cols. 2-3.

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Thursday, February 01, 2018

More on the Early History of the Pelham Heights Police Force


Little has been written of the history of the Pelham Heights Police Force that once protected the little Village of Pelham before it and the Village of North Pelham merged in 1975 to form today's Village of Pelham.  Recently, I began research into the early history of that tiny little police force.  See, e.g.:   Tue., Jan. 23, 2018:  The Pelham Heights Police Force: A Little History.  

The recent Historic Pelham article cited above documented J. Gardiner Minard's assertion that "The first Village of Pelham Police Station was located in the storefront at 103 Wolfs Lane where it remained until 1923."  Further research has revealed that this assertion may be only partially correct.

It seems that the first permanent full-time Pelham Heights Police Headquarters was, indeed, located at 103 Wolfs Lane where it remained until 1923.  However, an earlier night-only police headquarters was established by the Pelham Heights Police Force in 1906 before opening the facility at 103 Wolfs Lane.

In 1905 and early 1906, when Pelham Heights residents needed to call their police, there was no way to do so.  Instead, according to news reports, they had to contact the Pelham Manor police headquarters in the Village of Pelham Manor.  As a local newspaper reported at the time, "this has been unsatisfactory."  

On July 5, 1906, The Daily Argus of Mount Vernon reported that Pelham Heights Police had mailed notices to all residents of the Village notifying them that a new Police Headquarters would be established in the real estate office of John H. Murphy located at the corner of First Street and Corlies Avenue.  That real estate office, of course, no longer exists though Pelhamites will know its location.  Today it is the small plot within the Wolfs Lane Park on which stands a flagpole with an American Flag lit at night directly across the street from the First Street entrance to the Pelham Train Station.

It appears that until the Pelham Heights Police Headquarters was relocated to 103 Wolfs Lane, the police shared the real estate office, using it only at night while John H. Murphy used it for his real estate business during the day.  The Daily Argus reported:  "This office will only be the headquarters of the police at night.  The telephone call will be 309-R."  The newspaper further reported:


"
By establishing the headquarters in the office of Mr. Murphy, the difficulty, heretofore experienced, of reaching the police promptly, will be obviated.  No better location could have been selected by the village authorities than the present one.  It is directly opposite the passenger station and easy of access for the majority of the residents of the village; especially for those who have no telephones in their houses.  It is considered a most important step."

The second year of the Pelham Heights Police Force, 1906, seems to have been a year of change and turmoil.  There seem to have been two shakeups of the tiny force that year by its chief -- Chief Raphael Marks who also served as Chief of the Pelham Manor Police Force.  In late June or early July of 1906, the force apparently had four members, plus Chief Marks.  One of the officers "left the force."  Another resigned.  A third was then appointed "Acting Sergeant" and apparently oversaw only a single patrolman until the force was able, in only a few weeks to find three new police officers to bring the force up to five members.

Within only a few months, Chief Marks apparently overhauled the tiny five-man Pelham Heights Police Force again.  In early October, 1906, a local newspaper reported:

"There has been a shakeup in the Pelham Heights police force recently as a result of which Officers Murphy and Cashman have been discharged.  The chief of police was asked the reasons for the changes in the department but he refused to talk.  It was not so long ago that there was a shakeup in the Pelham Heights department and a few changes made, one of the old officers being discharged.  Two new officers have been engaged to take the places of Murphy and Cashman and they are now on probation. . . ." 

During this same period, Pelham Heights residents and members of the Pelham Heights Police Force apparently began agitating for a so-called "hot telephone system" in Pelham Heights.  The proposal was to affix to trees throughout Pelham Heights a series of telephones wired to connect directly with Police Headquarters so that officers walking their beats through Pelham Heights could pick up any of the phones at various intervals and report back to a desk officer "at stated intervals" as was the custom in many cities at the time (including Mount Vernon).   

Pelham Heights, like the Town of Pelham, was growing up at the time.  Though its Police Force appears to have suffered some growing pains shortly after its birth in 1905, it too was growing up.

 

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"MORE POLICE WANTED NOW FOR PELHAM
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Advisability of Establishing System for Entire Town Suggested
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APPROPRIATION IS NEEDED THOUGH FOR SUCH PROJECT
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North Pelham, June 11. -- The advisability of establishing a police department for the entire town of Pelham is being discussed in some quarters.  At present the police conditions are sufficient in Pelham Manor and Pelham Heights, but as far as North Pelham is concerned, there are only five constables.

It is a well known fact that the police department of Pelham Manor with Chief Marks at its head, is a credit to the village and consists of policemen who are considered efficient defenders of the law.  The police have recently obtained their new uniforms.

The main trouble seems to be with North Pelham.  While there is seldom any trouble in this village, there may arise an occasion when police protection will be needed.  Not long ago there was an exhibition of rowdyism which could have been quelled by a watchman or patrolman.  As there was none, the rowdies were allowed to continue their work until the glass was smashed in a front door window on Fifth avenue and considerable noise created.  Efforts at the time were made to obtain assistance from constables in the village, but they were futile.

President Reilley [sic] said that he did not see how a police department could be supported in the vilage if there was no appropriation for it.  He believes that there ought to be at least two watchmen on duty in the village all the time.

It has been suggested that there should be one department for the entire town with a superintendent or chief for the same.  Also that there should be telephone boxes where the police should notify the chief regularly on specified hours on their beat.  A headquarters for all the police of the three villages has also been suggested, where notification of commission of any crimes could be sent without delay."

Source:  MORE POLICE WANTED NOW FOR PELHAM -- Advisability of Establishing System for Entire Town Suggested -- APPROPRIATION IS NEEDED THOUGH FOR SUCH PROJECT, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 11, 1906, No. 4330, p. 1, col. 4.


"PELHAM
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POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
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Will Be Established at the Office of John H. Murphy.

Pelham Heights is to have a police headquarters.  Notices have been mailed to the residents of the village calling attention to the fact that the headquarters will be established in the real estate office of John H. Murphy, at the corner of First street and Corlies avenue.  This office will only be the headquarters of the police at night.  The telephone call will be 309-R.

It has been felt for some time that Pelham Heights should have the means whereby the proper protection should be given the village.  Heretofore if there was need of the police, the call would have to be sent to the police station in Pelham Manor.  It is understood that this has been unsatisfactory.

The probability is that the police station will remain the headquarters for the residents of Pelham Manor, as it is easy of access; in fact it is more accessible than the proposed headquarters in Pelham Heights.  Then again this small building may be the headquarters for both villages.

By establishing the headquarters in the office of Mr. Murphy, the difficulty, heretofore experienced, of reaching the police promptly, will be obviated.  No better location could have been selected by the village authorities than the present one.  It is directly opposite the passenger station and easy of access for the majority of the residents of the village; especially for those who have no telephones in their houses.  It is considered a most important step."

Source:  PELHAM -- POLICE HEADQUARTERS-- Will Be Established at the Office of John H. Murphy, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 5, 1906, No. 4359, p. 5, col. 2



"CHANGING POLICE FORCE.
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Additions Made in Pelham Heights -- Reorganization Effected.
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North Pelham, July 21. -- There has been a shake-up in the police force of the village of Pelham Heights during the past few weeks.  One of the officers has left the force, another has resigned and a third is now acting sergeant at the police headquarters in Pelham Heights.  These changes have made it necessary to put on three new men.  The force has also been increased from four to five men.

The chief is to give his entire time, night and day to matters in Pelham Manor and Pelham Heights.

The advisability of establishing a hot telephone system in Pelham Heights is now being discussed, and will probably become a reality before many days.  It has been suggested that telephones be attached to trees at certain points on the beats of the various officers in order that the headquarters may be communicated with at stated periods as is the custom in Mount Vernon and other cities."

Source:  CHANGING POLICE FORCE -- Additions Made in Pelham Heights -- Reorganization Effected, Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 21, 1906, No. 4373, p. 1, col. 2.

"Here and There. . . . 

There has been a shakeup in the Pelham Heights police force recently as a result of which Officers Murphy and Cashman have been discharged.  The chief of police was asked the reasons for the changes in the department but he refused to talk.  It was not so long ago that there was a shakeup in the Pelham Heights department and a few changes made, one of the old officers being discharged.  Two new officers have been engaged to take the places of Murphy and Cashman and they are now on probation. . . ."


Source:  Here and ThereThe Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 2, 1906, No. 4434, p. 5, col. 2.

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