Bronze Work at the Pelham National Bank Building

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

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 institution.  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.  The bank was insolvent.  Following the bank's failure, Brook was jailed after his Federal conviction for misapplying and misappropriating bank funds.  He 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 the list of articles, with links, at the end of today's posting.  

The failure of the Pelham National Bank meant that plans to expand the structure from its three stories, when built, to nine stories.  Indeed, the plans for expansion of the building were so serious that it was built to support the additional construction and an architectural rendering showing what it would look like once expanded was published locally.

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.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Construction of the Pelham National Bank Building, 1 Wolfs Lane, was completed in 1929.  The building was designed by Holmes & Winslow, Architects.  It is a three story corner bank building with painted limestone façades on two elevations and with brick on the south side and rear.  It has a flat roof with a dentillated parapet with carved stone frieze in bas relief.  There are four pilasters on the front façade, two of which flank a monumental two-story, arched center entrance with a massive bronze doorway with grilles. 

Pelham National Bank Building, 1 Wolfs Lane, in 2014.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

When the Pelham National Bank Building opened on September 14, 1929, one of its most significant features was several tons worth of bronze castings used as architectural and decorative features including the monumental two-story arched center entrance.  The bronze work was cast by the Eagle Bronze Works of Mount Vernon, New York.

The Eagle Bronze Works was established in 1919 by Pelham resident L. John Gulatsi who has had many years' experience as a bronze craftsman.  In 1924, the company took over the Henry Bonnar Bronze Company of Mount Vernon, a firm which had existed for fifty years.  The entire Bonnard organization of skilled bronze workers became associated with the Eagle Bronze Works.  The Eagle Bronze Works became widely-renowned for the craftsmanship and quality of its work.  

In addition to its bronze work at the Pelham National Bank Building, the company crafted bronze pieces installed elsewhere in Pelham.  For example, it cast the memorial tablet in the foyer of Pelham Memorial High School, a tablet at Memorial Park, and the tablets installed on the First Fire District headquarters.  It also cast a bronze bust of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt that American Legion Post 50 presented to Pelham Memorial High School during the 1920s.  

The company also cast significant works that were installed in locations throughout the United States.  For example, it cast elements of the Bronx War Memorial at the entrance to the Bronx Parkway, the Spanish-American War Memorial in Mount Vernon, and the Ledgard Flagpole at Yale University.  It cast the beautiful bronze ticket windows, rails, and other bronze features incorporated in Grand Central Terminal and the aluminum tower of the Standard Oil building in New York City.  

At the Pelham National Bank Building, the company cast the bronze ornamental grillwork and features associated with the massive outer doors.  It crafted two bronze tablets on the outside of the building and a dedication tablet within the foyer.  It also crafted the bronze work on the tellers' cages, and the screen in front of the huge safe deposit vault.  Indeed, by the time of its work for the Pelham National Bank Building, the Eagle Bronze Works already had crafted similar bronze castings for a host of other banks including the Mount Vernon Trust Company, The American National Bank in Mt. Vernon, the Guarantee Trust Company in Atlantic City, and the South Norwalk Trust Company in South Norwalk, Connecticut.

It is difficult to ignore the beauty of the bronze works that form an important part of the Pelham National Bank Building each time one passes the lovely structure.  The Eagle Bronze Works, formed by Pelhamites, is responsible for that beauty.

John T. Brook in About 1925 When He Became President of

Pelham National Bank. 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 on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *           *          *

"Bronze Work In New Bank Building Manufactured At Eagle Bronze Works
-----
Several Tons Of Metal Used In Casting Of Bronze Work For Pelham National Bank Building.  Two Prominent Pelhamites At Head Of Company

Bronze plays an important part in the decoration and security scheme of the new Pelham National Bank Building.  All the bronze work in the new building was designed and manufactured at the plant of the Eagle Bronze Works, Inc., in Mount Vernon.  This firm has earned an enviable reputation for the production of bronze for banking houses, and its work has been used in construction of many of the outstanding banks and public buildings in the Eastern states.

Pelham has a marked interest in the work of the Eagle Bronze Works, Inc.  Two of its chief executives made their homes in the Pelhams for many years, and are well known here.  L. John Gulatsi, president, and his son Richard L. Gulatsi, 1st vice-president and treasurer, until recently made their home on Eighth avenue.  The latter a veteran of the World War, was for two years commander of Pelham Post No. 50, American Legion.

Inspecting the new bank building, one is first impressed by the ornamental grillwork in bronze at the outer doors.  Two bronze tablets outside, and the dedication tablet within the foyer are examples of the tablet work of the Eagle Bronze Works.

Bronze work on the tellers' cages, and the screen in front of the huge Safe deposit vault afford another example of the widely diversified work of the company.  Similar work has been installed for the Mount Vernon Trust Co., The American National Bank, in Mt. Vernon; the Guarantee Trust Co., in Atlantic City and the South Norwalk Trust Co., in South Norwalk, Conn.

The ticket windows, rails, etc. in the Grand Central Terminal in New York City, and the aluminum tower of the Standard Oil building in New York City were also produced by the Eagle Bronze Works.

Here in the Pelhams there are several examples of the work of the Gulatsi's.  The memorial tablet in Pelham Memorial High School, the tablet at Memorial Park in North Pelham, the tablets on the First Fire District fire headquarters were cast at the company's plant.  

Not alone is their work confined to bronze building construction.  The company has repeatedly received high commendation for its portrait and monument work.  The bronze bust of Col. Theodore Roosevelt which was presented to Pelham Memorial High School by the American Legion, is a striking example of the portrait work.  Then, too, there are innumerable monuments and statues which have been erected throughout the Eastern states which have been not only manufactured but many of them designated also by the craftsmen at the Eagle Bronze Works.

Notable among these are the Bronx war memorial at the entrance to the Bronx Parkway, The Spanish-American War memorial in Mt. Vernon and the Ledgard flagpole at Yale University.

The company was recently commissioned to design and cast a bronze tablet to be erected at the new Brazil bridge in South America.  Distant orders include the bronze work for the new sub-treasury building in San Francisco; the city hall building in Cleveland, the public library in Detroit and a new bank in Honolulu.

In addition to its own staff of designers the Eagle Bronze Works does work for all the leading sculptors in the United States and many in foreign countries.  It is highly recommended by the country's greatest architects, and its officers are frequently called in to assist with the preliminary plans in designing the bronze work for construction of public buildings.

Bronze work figures largely in the safety scheme of bank construction.  Its great strength and tenacity make it of great value for the construction of banking screens, and grills at tellers' cages, vaults in counting rooms, and silver and fur vaults.  Few other metals apply themselves so readily to architecture and design and have sufficient strength to assure security.

The Eagle Bronze Works was established ten years ago, by L. John Gulatsi who has had many years' experience as a bronze craftsman.  Five years ago the company took over the Henry Bonnar Bronze Co. of Mount Vernon, a firm which had existed for fifty years previous.  The entire Bonnard organization of skilled bronze workers became associated with the Eagle Bronze Works.

Recently a new plant was opened on Bleeker street, Mt. Vernon and it has been there that all the bronze for the new Pelham National Bank building was designed, cast and finished.

The officers of the company are as follows:  L. John Gulatsi, president; first vice-president and treasurer, Richard L. Gulatsi; second vice-president, John R. Gould; third vice-president, Warren R. Fiske; secretary, John Fesler.  Jacob F. Arnold is plant manager."

Source:  Bronze Work In New Bank Building Manufactured At Eagle Bronze Works -- Several Tons Of Metal Used In Casting Of Bronze Work For Pelham National Bank Building.  Two Prominent Pelhamites At Head Of Company, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 13, 1929, p. 26, cols. 1-3.  

*          *          *          *          *

I have written before about the Pelham National Bank, its failure during the Great Depression, and the Pelham National Bank Building.  For examples, 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.

Mon., Mar. 23, 2015:  Pelham Residents Ravaged by the Great Depression: Record Sale of Tax Liens Advertised in 1932.

Mon., Apr. 13, 2015:  Obituary of John T. Brook, Jailed After Failure of the Pelham National Bank.

Fri., Jun. 05, 2015:  Another Pelham Mystery: Why Was the Planned Site of the Pelham National Bank Building Moved?

Fri., Aug. 14, 2015:  The Massive Real Estate Boom of the Roaring Twenties in the Little Town of Pelham.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

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

Obituary of John T. Brook, Jailed After Failure of the Pelham National Bank

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

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

Organized in 1921, the Pelham National Bank was a successful little community bank patronized by many Pelham residents.  On January 23, 1925, the bank's Board of Directors named a local real estate developer, 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 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.  Following 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 much of 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.

Mon., Mar. 23, 2015:  Pelham Residents Ravaged by the Great Depression: Record Sale of Tax Liens Advertised in 1932.

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.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of the obituary of John T. Brook that appeared on the front page of the October 30, 1942 issue of The Pelham Sun.  The text is followed by a citation and link to its source. 

"John T. Brook, Newsboy, Contractor And Millionaire Bank President, Who Lost All During Depression, Is Dead

Meteoric Career of Former President of Pelham National Bank Ended in New York Hospital Following Operations; Built Two Hundred Houses in Pelham, Including Pelnord, Pelbrook Hall and Peldean Apartment Buildings.
-----

John T. Brook of No. 690 Timpson street, Pelham, N. Y., contractor and banker, who began life as a newsboy at the old Grand Union Station in New York, became a millionaire and then lost everything during the financial panic of the late twenties, died in New York Hospital, New York City on Wednesday night after a month's illness.  He was 68 years old and was born in Vincennes, Ind., coming to New York at an early age.  His father and mother were English emigrants, coming from Liverpool.  They operated a general store in a building in West 34th street, New York City.  Tommy Brook as he was then known, delivered the orders before and after school.  Later he fought for his place among the newsboys who gathered around the old Grand Union terminal of the New York Central Railroad.  As a young man he started a trucking business, and at one time had an ash collection contract with the city.

His first adventure in the building and contracting business was forced on him.  He had leased a stable building, and after filling up empty stalls made it so profitable that the owner refused to renew a lease, hoping to take it over and receive the profits himself.  John T. therefore bought a piece of land nearby, and with the assistance of some bricklayer friends, built his own stable and kept his tenants.  His first speculation in real estate in New York brought him a handsome profit and the friendship of a man who was to have much to do with his successful realty speculation, Robert Fulton.  

Coming to Pelham in 1910 after being attracted to the town while looking out of a train window and then discovering it was only 30 miles to Grand Central, Mr. Brook purchased a large tract of land on Fifth avenue and built [illegible] building boom in the Pelhams beginning at Manor lane.  The huge demand for property here in the early twenties found buyers for his properties often before they were finished, sometimes sales being made from plans.

In 1921 he turned his attention to the erection of apartment houses, the Pelbrook Hall being the first and being followed by Peldean, Peldale and Pelnord apartments, beside the building in which The Pelham Sun office is now located.  He founded the Pelham Builders' Supply Co., the Great Eastern Sash & Door Co., and several other realty and building concerns, and during the days of the realty boom in New York and its suburbs, speculared largely and successfully in real estate, so that he became a millionaire.

He had a remarkable memory and an amazing ability for mental arithmetic, and for several years conducted his business transactions from memory.  He was finally compelled by the increasing sweep of his operations to install a large office staff.  In 1921 he was identified financially with the launching of a newspaper in Pelham called the Pelham Free Press, which failed after a life of six weeks.

Mr. Brook was president of Pelham National Bank which was founded in 1921 and opened in August of that year.  He succeeded Loren O. Thompson, its first president in 1926.  At that time he was engaged in building the original Post Office building at 105 Fifth avenue.  The day before it was due to open under Government contract, there was no front and no floor in the building, no lights, no partition furnishings erected.  By working all night with a very large force the post office opened for business the following morning at 8 o'clock.  It was typical of his tremendous energy.

Mr. Brook resigned from the presidency of the Pelham National Bank in November, 1932, being succeeded by Clyde Browne.  When the panic swept the country in March, 1933, the Pelham Bank in common with thousands of others was placed under a conservator's control.  Warnery Pyne was named receiver on July 21, 1933.  Subsequently several directors of the bank were indicted and the former president served a five-year sentence in Lewisburg, then facetiously termed the 'Bank presidents' rest,' on account of the number of former banking officials there.

During the last few years John T. Brook had attempted to stage a comeback in building speculatively in New Rochelle.

He leaves a widow, Fanny Dean Brook; two sons, John R. of New York and Thomas L. of Toronto, Canada; and a daughter, Mrs. Nicholas Vardalis of Tuckahoe.  

Funeral services will take place at the George T. Davis Memorial Chapel in New Rochelle today at 2 p. m.  Interment will be in Kensico.  The Rev. Herbert H. Brown, pastor emeritus of the Church of the Redeemer will officiate."

Source:  John T. Brook, Newsboy, Contractor And Millionaire Banke President, Who Lost All During Depression, Is Dead, The Pelham Sun, Oct. 30, 1942, Vol. 32, No. 30, p. 1, cols. 4-5.  

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

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

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

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

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

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.  

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

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

Dedication of the Post Office in the Pelham National Bank Building and More About Old Post Offices

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

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

The Pelham National Bank Building at One Wolfs Lane is unquestionably the most fascinating structure in the Town of Pelham.  It is fascinating because the original intent was to turn it into a true skyscraper.  It was designed so that many additional floors could be added.  It also is fascinating because the building has one of the saddest histories of any building in our Town.  

As I have written previously (and rather extensively), the Pelham National Bank failed at the outset of the Great Depression.  It closed on Roosevelt's National Bank "holiday."  Like so many other such banks, The Pelham National Bank never reopened after the holiday.

Pelham depositors were among the many across our nation who lost much of their life savings.  The criminal and civil lawsuits that followed the Pelham National Bank failure proceeded for many years, with the principal bank official spending significant jail time before his death.  

Nearly as interesting, however, is Pelham National Bank Building's relationship to the postal history of Pelhamville, the Village of North Pelham, the Village of Pelham, Pelham Heights and the Heights.  It seems that the first United States Post Office in the area was located as a shanty lean-to attached to  the Pelhamville Depot.  The post office then moved to Lyman's Pharmacy Building at One Fifth Avenue.  Thereafter, on November 1, 1936, it moved to the Pelham National Bank building.

At the time, it was hoped that during the depths of the Great Depression , rent paid by the federal government would improve the position of the bankruptcy estate of the failed bank and, thus, would allow a larger distribution to former depositors of the bank.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog transcribes articles from The Pelham Sun describing the opening of the post office and reproduces a couple of the images (though not all) that appeared with the articles.

Source:  Postal Officials Dedicate New P.O. Station, Pelham Sun, Nov. 6, 1936, Second Section, p. 9, col. 1.

Source:  Postal Officials Dedicate New P.O. Station, Pelham Sun, Nov. 6, 1936, Second Section, p. 9, col. 1.

"Postal Officials Dedicate New P.O. Station
-----
Prominent Guests Attend Ceremonies in Quarters in Pelham Bank Building
-----
Postmaster Albert Goldman Officiates at Dedication; Speakers Include Representative of Postmaster General at Washington, Congressman Fitzpatrick, Mayor Amato, Former Congressman Ben L. Fairchild and Others.
-----

Pelham's new post office station at Fifth avenue and First street in North Pelham opened its doors to the public on Saturday morning [November 1, 1936].  The new office which occupies the ground floor of the old Pelham National Bank Building, was officially dedicated by Postmaster Albert Goldman, and postal officials in a short ceremony which was held at 10 o'clock.  The speakers were Joseph Betterly, Supt. of Post Office Quarters at Washington, Congressman James M. Fitzpatrick, Supervisor's Clerk W. E. Clark, representing Supervisor Harold W. Davis, Edward D. Loughman, Receiver of the defunct Pelham National Bank [Editor's Note:  Which closed during the National Bank Holiday of the Great Depression declared by FDR and never reopened, leading to the jailing of the Bank President]; former Congressman Ben L. Fairchild, and Mayor Dominic Amato of North Pelham.  The Rev. Arthur A. Campbell of St. Catherine's Church pronounced the invocation and the Rev. Herbert H. Brown of the Church of the Redeemer offered the benediction.

The cadet band of the New York Military Academy, which had come to Pelham for the N.Y.M.A.-Iona football game opened the program as they marched from the depot plaza to the new post office building.

As the band played 'The Star Spangled Banner,' a color guard of Pelham Post No. 50, American Legion, headed by Post Commander Frederick Swafford, raised the American Flag on the staff above the entrance of the post office.  Post-master Goldman officially opened the building, by unlocking the front door.  As the band played another selection the guests of honor and a large audience went inside the building for the dedication ceremonies which were presided over by the Postmaster.

The speakers addressed the audience from the mezzanine balcony of the new post office.  While the ceremonies were being conducted, there was a steady stream of customers purchasing stamps and mailing letters in the public lobby of the building.  

Amato Extends Welcome

Mayor Amato extended the welcome of the people of Pelham to the postal officials and the gratitude of the citizens for the increased post office facilities which will be afforded in the new station.

During the ceremonies Mr. Goldman introduced Joseph Willon, Superintendent of Delivery of New York City and Postal Inspector O. M. Schaeffer who have been in charge of the preliminary work and the installation of the new post office station here.

After the ceremony the postal officials and guests attended a luncheon of the Lions Club held at the Pelham Country Club.  There were 89 present.  The luncheon program was arranged by a committee composed of Thomas M. Kennett, Robert A. Cremins and Ken G. Hancher.  William Avery, pianist, and James Moon, vocalist, provided entertainment during the luncheon.  

Mr. Betterly came as the representative of the 4th Asst. Postmaster General Smith W. Purdum, who was responsible for the final selection of the bank building for the post office station.  

Mr. Betterly's address follows:

'It is an honor and a privilege to be here today to join with the citizens of Pelham and Westchester County in these ceremonies marking the housing of your postal unit in modern up-to-date quarters.  

'The City of New York and those suburban areas within the district of the New York Post Office have been accustomed from the earliest days to the best possible postal service.  Under the efficient administration of your Postmaster, Honorable Albert Goldman, an able supervisory organization, and a small army of competent postal employees, this tradition is being well maintained.  

'Pelham is to be congratulated upon the location of its postal unit in this fine building.  It is equally deserving of congratulation that it is a part of the great New York postal district, sharing in the benefits that come from careful administration and efficient management.

'It is appropriate that postal facilities in Pelham should be the finest obtainable, having in mind the high character of its citizenship, its splendid civic institutions, homes, and business establishments.  

'It was a source of gratification to the department to be able to meet this requirement through the leasing of this splendid building which is being opened today; a post office building which would do credit to any community.  It was equally gratifying to the department that while serving its own interest in securing modern and convenient postal accommodations, its action also served to restore to useful service this splendid structure and to make available some return to those many citizens of Pelham, who had financial interest in the banking institution previously conducted herein.

John Bolton Was First Postmaster

'The Town of Pelham has had a varied postal history since 1849, when a post office was first established here with John Bolton as its first Postmaster.  This office was discontinued on August 8, 1860 and reestablished  on September 8th of the same year.  It continued in operation until 1893 when it was again discontinued, and all mail service was supplied from New Rochelle.

'The present branch of the New York Post Office, which now serves this community, was established in 1910, and the increase in postal business here has greatly exceeded the average for the country as a whole.  This is due of course to the rapid growth experienced in this section which has proudly surpassed all others in the country in the past decade.  But with its growth, Pelham and Westchester County have nevertheless retained those elements of beauty and charm which have, from the earliest days, made this an enjoyable place to visit, or in which to live.

'It is a far cry from those early days when our nation was struggling to establish itself, and postal service was not only expensive, but slow, mail being transported by horseback and stagecoach, to the present time when postal service is the most inexpensive commodity available to us, and our mail is transported by swift express trains, fast ocean liners and an airmail service that is unequalled [sic] in the efficiency of its operation in the world.  

'Your post office is an institution of service, providing facilities for all the people.  It is the constant endeavor of all of us in the Post Office Department and in the Postal Service, to so conduct its activities that it will always merit the confidence and support of the people which it now enjoys.  

Post Office Is A Barometer

'There is no better barometer of the condition of the business of the country than the postal revenues.  These revenues have been increasing from month to month for more than two years, and the indications are that they will continue to increase.  It is estimated that for the fiscal year 1936 postal revenues will be approximately $35,000,000 more than for the preceding year, and that for the quarter ended September 30, 1936 they will be about $15,000,000 more than for the same quarter in 1935.  This is indeed indicative of a marked improvement in business conditions throughout the nation.

'Permit me to express again my sincere pleasure in having the opportunity to participate in these ceremonies and to express the wish that as you use this building for your postal business throughout the years to come, you will be mindful of the ideals and principles of the postal service as enunciated by Postmaster General Holt in 1858:

'The Post Office Department in its ceaseless labors, pervades every channel of commerce and every theatre of human enterprise, and while visiting, as it does, kindly every fireside it mingles with the throbbings of almost every heart in the land.  In the amplitude of its beneficence, it ministers to all climes, and creeds, and pursuits with the same eager readiness and with equal fullness of fidelity.  It is the delicate ear trump through which alike nations and families and isolated individuals whisper their joys and their sorrows, their convictions and their sympathies, to all who listen for their coming.'

'It has been my privilege to officiate at a number of openings of post office stations,' said Post Master Goldman.  'In most cases the new stations are in Federal buildings erected for post office purposes.  This is not the case in the present instance.

'This building was originally erected for banking purposes, but as you see, there being an affinity between banks and post offices, it has been converted late into what I think is a very fine type of post office, one befitting the dignity of this town and a place wherein the patrons of the office will be provided with proper facilities for the transaction of their postal business, and where the employees of the post office will be housed in a commodious and comfortable building.  

'Your very fine town is a landmark in this state.  It is the site of one of the early settlements, and as its name implies, was first settled by those sturdy Anglo Saxon pioneers who have developed this into the Empire State.

'It is a matter of history that this town almost three hundred years ago, in 1642, offered shelter to Anne Hutchinson and her little band who first formed a community in this place.  Their spirit lives in the many social, religious, civic and other welfare organizations that are so representative of this community.

Records Date Back 75 Years

'From a postal standpoint the first available record of post offices listed by the Post Office Department that we have in the New York Post Office, dates back almost 75 years, and I have no doubt that if I were to go into the files of the Post Office department for the information, we would find that the Pelham Post Office had been established long before that date.

'In acquiring these quarters, the Post Office Department is aiding the gentleman who is acting as the Receiver of the bank and at the same time aiding the people of Pelham by adding to the assets of the institution.

'The Post Office Department is also following the practice which has been inaugurated by this administration, of either replacing leased quarters with government owned buildings, wherever such a practice was to the advantage of the department, by lessening the rental cost to the government, or where this was not possible, to replace the present leased quarters with others in which improved facilities for both patrons and employees were provided.

'Up to the present time there have been eighteen government-owned buildings authorized for the New York Post Office and its stations.  Of this number eight have been completed and are now occupied.  All of the remainder are in course of construction and will be occupied within the coming calendar year.

'These Federal buildings in every case replaced leased quarters which have been in use for many years.  The old quarters have become obsolete and did not properly fill the conception of what a United States Post Office should look like.  

'The accommodations for patrons were insufficient, and the employees did not have the facilities that they rightfully should have in order to perform their work in the best surroundings.  

'In the case of both new Federal buildings and new leased quarters, there is a vast improvement in both appearance and use over the quarters they have replaced.  

'It is also a fact that in the erection of these government-owned post offices in New York City, several million dollars have been spent, and this has benefitted [sic], not alone the workmen engaged in the erection of the buildings, but also those engaged in the fabrication of the materials used in the erection of the buildings.

'I desire to congratulate the Town of Pelham upon the fact that this portion of the building which has been idle for some time past is now again occupied with profitable results to all concerned.  

'Your post office, which was established as a branch of the New York Post Office more than 25 years ago, is the best indication of the growth of your town.

'When the post office at Pelham was established as a branch of the New York Post Office on February 16, 1910, there were 2 employees assigned here, and the receipts for the year following the establishment of the station were $4,700.00.  

'The establishment of a free carrier delivery service followed almost immediately, and since that time the growth of the station has been steady and constant.

'At the present time you have here in your station more than 35 employees.

'The receipts which were less than $5,000 the year the station was established, will approximate almost $50,000 for the year 1936, this revenue equalling [sic] the receipts of many first class post offices.

'There are approximately 90 money orders issued here daily, and the average amouunt of such orders is approximately $1,000 a day.

'The registry and insurance business of this station bear favorable comparison with any town of similar size.  

'There are mailed in Pelham approximately 5,000 pieces of mail each day.

Open Postal Savings Branch

'I have made recommendation to the Post Office Department that a postal savings branch be installed here for the convenience of thos 
(Continued on Page 10)
-----

Post Office Was Dedicated Saturday
-----
(Continued from Page 9)

who desire to make use of that important post office facility.  This is now possible because of the added facilities that we have in this new office.

'I wish to extend my good wishes  to the Town of Pelham and to the postal employees here, and to assure you that it is my desire of the Post Office Department, to give the best possible service to the patrons of the office.

'I know that with the friendly relationship existing between the employees of the Pelham Post Office and the patrons of the office, the employees of this station will in their new home exert themselves to prove that our postal service is what we claim it to be, the best public service facility in the world.'  

Congressman James M. Fitzpatrick had high praise for the post office officials and the employees, paying distinct tribute to the 'boys in gray' the carriers who he said, are generally overlooked when the service is commended.

The effort of the Receiver's office to secure government approval of the plan to locate the Post Office in the bank building was related by Receiver Loughman.  He highly commended Warner Pyne, former Receiver, for his work in this behalf, and expressed his gratitude in the interest of the depositors of the bank,, to the postal officials for leasing the premises.

Mr. Clark expressed the regret of Supervisor Harold W. Davis, who was unable to attend the program.  He extended to the postal officials the welcome of the Town of Pelham and predicted that the business of the local office in its new quarters would soon double that of the former location.

Postmaster Goldman read a telegram from former Supervisor William M. McBride, expressing regret at not being able to attend.

The days when the post office was situated in the Pelhamville depot of the New Haven Railroad were recalled by former Congressman Ben L. Fairchild whose memory dated further back than those of his audience, with the possible exception of one or two of the older residents who were present.

Post Office Was At Station

'The New Haven Railroad track was at grade crossing when I first came to Pelham 45 years ago,' he said.  'The Pelhamville station was a frame shanty, and the gentleman who was station agent was also the postmaster.  Pelham Heights was nothing but a woods, and there were only a few scattered houses along the Esplanade in Pelham Manor.'

He told how the increase in population on both sides of the railroad tracks prompted the residents to incorporate the villages of Pelham and North Pelham.  The villagers called for their mail at the Post Office, which had been moved to Lyman's drug store, First street and Fifth avenue.

'The advance was so promising, that it became necessary to consider means of distributing mail by carrier service.  When the Postmaster, Seth T. Lyman, was approached, he sacrificed his position as postmaster to become superintendent of the station so that Pelham could gain the benefit of carrier service under the supervision of the New York City Post Office.  I want to thank Mr. Lyman for this splendid service in the interest of his community, and I know that the citizens of Pelham echo this appreciation.'

Mr. Lyman, who is still a resident of Linden avenue, Chester Park, has been spending a few months at his Summer home at Lake St. Catherine, Vt.  He was unable to come to Pelham for the ceremony."

Source:  Postal Officials Dedicate New P.O. Station, Pelham Sun, Nov. 6, 1936, Second Section, p. 9, col. 1.

"N.Y.M.A. Cadets Add To Color Of Dedication
-----

The spectacle of the dedication of Pelham's new post office station on Saturday was greatly enhanced by the presence of the 32-piece band of the New York Military Academy at Cornwall, which staged a parade from the depot plaza to the post office.  It played a short musical program before the ceremonies inside the building.  The band was secured through the courtesy of John G. Shattuck, of Pelham Manor and Capt. Frank Patillo, headmaster of the school.

The bank later led the parade of the New York Military Academy Corps of Cadets from Travers Island to the Memorial Stadium in Mount Vernon before the N.Y.M.A. - Iona football game."

Source:  N.Y.M.A. Cadets Add To Color of Dedication, Pelham Sun, Nov. 6, 1936, Second Section, p. 9, col. 7.

"First Stamp Purchased By Mrs. H. Brown
-----
To Mrs. Robert Brown of Harmon avenue the honor of purchasing the first stamp and mailing the first letter at the new Pelham Station of the New York Post Office.  When postal clerks opened their windows for business at 7 o'clock on Saturday morning they found Mrs. Brown waiting for them.  The first stamp sold was used on the first letter mailed.  The addressee of the letter got the souvenir.

Supt. Frank Grant reports that although business at the new post office station on the first day was below the usual Saturday average, the Money Order business exceeded the average day."

Source:  First Stamp Purchased By Mrs. H. Brown, Pelham Sun, Nov. 6, 1936, Second Section, p. 9, col. 7.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

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