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.

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Tiny Pelhamwood Threatened to Secede from the Village of North Pelham in 1920



"We are willing to pay taxes for benefits received, but believe it
unfair to be taxed for upkeep of streets in other parts of the village
to the exclusion of our own.  What is the remedy?  The formation
of the village of Pelhamwood."

Resolution Adopted by the Pelhamwood Association at its
Annual Meeting Held in May, 1920.

Ten years!  Nothing had been done to repair the dirt roads that wound through the tiny little neighborhood of Pelhamwood for an entire decade after the roads were first graded as the neighborhood was developed in 1910.  Pelhamwood residents and members of the Pelhamwood Association were furious.  Yet, it was not the fault of the Village of North Pelham within which the neighborhood existed.  Nor was it the fault of the Town of Pelham.  How could that be?

The roads of Pelhamwood were privately owned by the development company that developed the residential area.  The roadways were deemed private "Parkways" -- much like certain roadways in Pelham Heights (including the Boulevard) when that region was developed during the late 1880s and early 1890s.  But, with development of that portion of "Pelhamwood" located within Pelham nearing completion (and the development of that part that stood within New Rochelle not fully begun), the development company made virtually no effort to maintain the dirt roads.



Postcard View of "THE CLOCK TOWER.  'PELHAMWOOD'" Showing
A Dirt Roadway Entrance to Pelhamwood in About 1910.  NOTE:
Click on Image to Enlarge.

Pelhamwood residents were angry because they paid the same property taxes as other residents of the Village of North Pelham, but their tax dollars were used to maintain and improve only those roadways outside the neighborhood of Pelhamwood.  Thus, the Pelhamwood Association was reduced to trying to maintain the roads on its own -- including the application of expensive oil to keep the dust down.  

By 1918, the situation had gotten so bad that the Pelhamwood Association, using dues paid by its members, hired Louis Civitello -- who eventually became a beloved local figure known as "Pelhamwood's Louie" -- to perform general handyman work and street repairs.  The organization issued Pelhamwood Louie a bright blue uniform with "dazzling brass buttons" and even used him as a "traffic officer" at the intersection of Highbrook and Washington Avenues.  Even the energetic Pelhamwood Louie, however, couldn't keep up with necessary road repairs in Pelhamwood.

By 1920, Pelhamwood residents were clamoring for the Village of North Pelham to take ownership of the local streets, retain them as "Parkways" (while banning truck traffic on them), oil and maintain them and, eventually, macadamize them.  Pelhamwood residents seethed because, despite their years of effort to achieve that objective, they believed the Village of North Pelham had done little to make it happen.  

At the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of North Pelham on April 6, 1920, a large delegation of Pelhamwood residents attended.  Led by William M. Uhler, President of the Pelhamwood Association, the group formally requested the Village to take over Pelhamwood streets.  According to Uhler, the principal thing Pelhamwood wanted was to have the Village undertake the upkeep of the roads and continue to maintain them as Parkways while banning truck traffic.

The President of the Village of Pelham, Jim Reilly, pointed out that there were a number of difficult issues to be addressed.  First, a number of the streets that were part of the larger "Pelhamwood" development were within New Rochelle.  Moreover, the sewer lines beneath those streets flowed into a trunk sewer beneath Highbrook Avenue.  Thus, new connections to the sewer system along the comparatively undeveloped "Pelhamwood" streets in New Rochelle might lead to issues beneath the Pelhamwood streets in the Village of North Pelham, costing time, effort, and money to address.  Additionally, President Reilly cautioned that only $9,000 was appropriated for the entire year to maintain all the roadways in the Village of North Pelham.  It would cost $3,500 just to apply oil all the streets of Pelhamwood, leaving only $5,500 for the rest of the village streets.

Nevertheless, the Village Board that night instructed its Village counsel to "devise ways and means to 'take over the streets from the Pelhamwood company, the streets to remain parkways and the police to prevent heavy trucking.'"  When it came to any promise to macadamize the streets, however, the Board seemed to favor putting "the proposition up to the taxpayers and let them decide if they want all the streets paved or merely patched up."

During the ensuing weeks, the matter seemed to drag -- at least in the eyes of the residents of Pelhamwood.  Indeed, the residents became so frustrated that by mid-May, they were in open revolt threatening to secede from the Village of North Pelham by forming their own tiny village of 500 residents.  Thus, the Pelhamwood Association held a raucous annual meeting in Town Hall the week of May 10, 1920.  Following debate, the members of the Association passed the following resolution, quoted in full:

"The time for positive action on our part has arrived.  If the village of North Pelham does not wish to father us, let them so declare themselves and give us a chance to go it alone.  I am sure we are fully competent to do so.  It is true that in return for taxes we are given police service, garbage removal and street lighting.  We fully appreciate the fact that the abnormally high cost of labor at present precludes any great improvement in the condition of our streets.  But the control of the streets by the village will assure the enforcement of village regulations relative to the restoration of the streets after excavation for sewer, water and gas connections as well as the help of legal machinery to prohibit heavy trucking over our streets.  We are willing to pay taxes for benefits received, but believe it unfair to be taxed for upkeep of streets in other parts of the village to the exclusion of our own.  'What is the remedy?  The formation of the village of Pelhamwood.  We believe this can be accomplished by an act of the legislature.  The state of New York will certainly not permit any group of its citizens to pay taxes without any return.  One more village added to the present cluster should make no difference.  Perhaps the efforts of the Men's club committee on Greater Pelham may result in the amalgamation of all villages under one government, in which even we might be recognized in the general shake-up.  The unscrambling of this Pelham-omelet, however, may be long deferred and we suggest that a committee he appointed to consult a lawyer in reference to forming a village and that a proper amount of money be placed at the disposal of the committee to cover the expense of securing this advice.'"

The resolution seemed to have its intended effect.  At a Village Board meeting held on June 7, 1920, the Village Counsel announced that the officers of the development company that owned the private roadways in Pelhamwood had executed and delivered a form of dedication surrendering the easement to the streets of Pelhamwood in favor of the Village of North Pelham.  The dedication was read into the record and a motion to receive the streets as set forth in the dedication passed unanimously.  According to the local newspaper "Then occurred something which has seldom, if ever taken place at a village board meeting; the people present broke into hearty applause."

The union of Pelhamwood and the Village of North Pelham was saved.  There would be no secession.

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Below is the text of several newspaper articles that form the basis of today's Historic Pelham Blog article.  Each item is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"BUSY SESSION HELD BY THE PELHAM BOARD
-----

North Pelham, April 7. -- The full board was present including 'Our Mary' Dickenson, the new village treasurer, when President Reilly called it to order at 8:10 last night.  So great was the number of interested spectators that the village room was not big enough, so the meeting was held in the court room.  Clerk R. C. Smith read the minutes of the organization meeting and also a special meeting held March 31st, which were approved as read.  The latter meeting was for the purpose of meeting emergencies such as the payment of interest on bonds, paying the police and reappointing Lester Champion patrolman for another month pending the report from the civil service commissioner on his examination for that position.  A communication was received from John Matthew Tierney, stating that as he understood a vacancy existed in the North Pelham police department, he applied for the job.  He claimed nine months' experience.  He was placed on one month's probation beginning April 15th.  Communication was received from Fred L. Merritt of the county board of supervisors, asking for the names and addresses of the village board of assessors.  The clerk was directed to send the names and addresses of the president and trustees.  George B. Gibbons and J. B. Thill sent letters asking that they be notified at any time a bond issue was contemplated.  

A large delegation from Pelhamwood was present and asked that the streets of that section be taken over by the village.  President Reilly asked the committee just what it expected the board to do.  Mr. Uhler stated that the principal thing was the upkeep of the roads and maintaining them as parkways.  Mr. Reilly asked if the committee had taken into consideration that some of these streets are in New Rochelle and the sewer in those streets flowed into the trunk sewer, in Highbrook avenue.  The committee admitted this and stated that plans had been made to limit the number of new connections with this sewer.  Mr. Reilly replied:  'You see there is only $9,000 appropriated in this year's budget for a street fund which is insufficient.  It will cost $3,500 for oil alone and that will leave only $5,500 for all the rest of the village streets.'  Mr. Voight then stated that the old board had promised to spend $2,000 on the Pelhamwood streets this year.  It was finally agreed to turn the matter over to the village counsel with a request that he devise ways and means to 'take over the streets from the Pelhawood company, the streets to remain parkways and the police to prevent heavy trucking.  Alderman Connacher stated that the village engineer in 1913 prepared an estimate of the amount [required] to macadamize all the streets in the village including curbing and the amount did not exceed $71,838.  He stated that during the last 10 or 12 years between $90,000 and $100,000 had been spent on the streets and 'we still have mostly dirt roads.'  He said he preferred to put the proposition up to the taxpayers and let them decide if they want all the streets paved or merely patched up.

Mrs. Kingsland, who owns the old Costello property, appeared before the board to find out the true dimensions of her property which is situated on the west side of Fifth avenue between Fourth and Sixth streets.  The deed calls for 107 feet while the mortgage claims 114 feet.  It appears the two surveyors employed had made surveys from their private starting points which were at opposite ends of the village.  This matter was laid over.

Mr. Kendall, representing the New Rochelle water company, appeared to request permission to lay a 16-inch water main from Mayflower avenue along the west side of Fifth avenue, under the sidewalk, to Sixth street.  This would give the village greater water pressure.  The request was granted on condition that a contract be drawn up by village counsel guaranteeing that the work be completed in three weeks, the village to be relieved of all responsibilities from accidents and other causes relating thereto, and that the street and sidewalks be left in as good condition as found.  The proposed main is about 1200 feet long.

Nick De Feo appeared praying for relief from the present flooded condition of Eighth avenue and Sixth street.  The question was discussed at length and finally referred to counsel to determine if the village can legally acquire property for the purpose of opening a road.  It seems a colored woman, Nellie Russel, owns a piece of property which blocks the north end of Eighth avenue and prevents a curb and gutter being laid.  She wants $2,000 for it and the board believes the price rather high.

The 'cold storage' box was then opened and a number of bills taken out.  Thomas Stewart's for $6 automobile hire was laid on the table as it was presented in January and the present board wanted to find out what was wrong with it that the old board had not paid it.  Henry I. Rurert's bill for counsel fees $200 was also laid over for the same reason; Edward F. Campbell's bill as village engineer to the old board, for making report and map on the sewer area on New Rochelle where it affects this village.  It was gently laid on the table; C. Tamke, taxi hire for last October in the Miller case was laid over; Westchester Lighting company, $360.42 was ordered paid as was also the New York Telephone company bills for $3.75 and $3.45.  Two more telephone bills for $4.20 and $.40 were ordered paid although the company will be asked what the forty cent bill is for.  A bill from the Pelham Sun for $60 was laid over for investigation and Mr. Reilly explained he had received another one from the same firm for $124 and some cents but had forgotten to bring it along.  Williamson Law Book Co. $18 ordered paid as were the election officers, Thomas Carson, Grace Amundsen, Ezra Daggett, Daniel J. Kennedy, $8 each; Melville J. Wheeler as inspector, including expenses was $8.32 which was ordered paid.  Albert Laiser who pleaded guilty to making the bluebird emblem for the Citizen's ticket sent in his bill for $5.20 which was ordered paid.  William J. Griffith's bill for bonding the tax collector and treasurer $27, paid; Clerk Smith's bill for books and supplies $34.06 paid; all the bills for the street department help, $75, $22, $33, and $7 were paid.  John Carmarano presented a bill for $220.83 for the ashes and garbage removal contract; it was ordered paid if found correct, the contract to be looked over.  A bill for rent from the Town of Pelham was laid over; Polhemus Printing company printing election cards, $8, paid; the bill of Dr. McGuire for $42 for services as health officer was ordered paid; Westchester Lighting company, $372.50, tabled; ex-Clerk Wheeler, salary and postage, $34.92, paid.

Harry A. Anderson appeared to ask for a compromise on the Marvel property taxes; denied.  John T. Logan was reappointed registrar of vital statistics.  The village clerk was directed to notify Edward F. Campbell, the former village engineer, to turn over to the village all maps, papers, profiles, etc. in his possession belonging to the village.  President Reilly called attention of the board to the condition of the burned flat at Sixty street.  The village counsel directed to see what could be done to abate the nuisance.  The night of the regular meeting conflicting with the board of fire commissioners' meeting and the village counsel being a member of the fire board, the village meeting will be held hereafter the first Wednesday in each month.  The assessors will start work next Thursday and continue until finished.  Mary A. Dickenson, the village treasurer asked for a new treasurer's book and stationery.  Owing to the frail condition of the general fund, $2,000 was ordered transferred from the contingent fund to the general fund.  The meeting then adjourned."

Source:  BUSY SESSION HELD BY THE PELHAM BOARD, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 7, 1920, No. 9254, p. 12, cols. 3-5.  

"Pelhamwood Talks of Breaking Away From Village of North Pelham
-----

North Pelham, May 19.  --  The board of trustees of the village of North Pelham will hold a special meeting tonight at which many important matters will be discussed.  The Pelhamwood section has threatened to break away and incorporate as a separate village, unless certain conditions are complied with.  Pelhamwood wants North Pelham to take over the streets of that section but the presence of a swerage [sic] system which includes a part of New Rochelle has held up this action for several years.  The board has spent considerable time trying to devise ways and means to acquire the streets without incurring any liability to the town or other two villages for this outside sewerage which must pass through the pipes of the other two municipalities.  The New Rochelle section of Pelhamwood has not as yet reached the stage of development that the North Pelham part has, and the board fears that when this section is built up and houses connected it may be necessary to lay larger mains to carry off the additional flow.  The disposal plant is now taxed to capacity and increased matter to be treated will require expensive additions to the works.  

There is nothing to stop the section from forming a separate village.  The village of Pelham was incorporated in 1896 with a population of less than one hundred.  Pelhamwood has over 500 population today and is expanding rapidly, but the cutting off of this part of the village with an assessed valuation of almost half the entire village, is viewed with alarm by taxpayers.  Coming at a time when the people are complaining that there are too many officials in the town and that the work is being duplicated as a result, they seem amused at the thought of another board being created.  

Pelhamwood is exclusively residential.  There is another tract almost as large lying north of Fourth street [i.e., today's Lincoln Avenue] belonging to this corporation which is as yet undeveloped and may be included in the new village.  If the cutting up of this starts this year, Pelhamwood will have more than 1,000 people within five years.  The resolution adopted by the Pelhamwood association at its annual meeting  held at the town hall last week is as follows:

'The time for positive action on our part has arrived.  If the village of North Pelham does not wish to father us, let them so declare themselves and give us a chance to go it alone.  I am sure we are fully competent to do so.  It is true that in return for taxes we are given police service, garbage removal and street lighting.  We fully appreciate the fact that the abnormally high cost of labor at present precludes any great improvement in the condition of our streets.  But the control of the streets by the village will assure the enforcement of village regulations relative to the restoration of the streets after excavation for sewer, water and gas connections as well as the help of legal machinery to prohibit heavy trucking over our streets.  We are willing to pay taxes for benefits received, but believe it unfair to be taxed for upkeep of streets in other parts of the village to the exclusion of our own.

'What is the remedy?  The formation of the village of Pelhamwood.  We believe this can be accomplished by an act of the legislature.  The state of New York will certainly not permit any group of its citizens to pay taxes without any return.  One more village added to the present cluster should make no difference.  Perhaps the efforts of the Men's club committee on Greater Pelham may result in the amalgamation of all villages under one government, in which even we might be recognized in the general shake-up.  The unscrambling of this Pelham-omelet, however, may be long deferred and we suggest that a committee he appointed to consult a lawyer in reference to forming a village and that a proper amount of money be placed at the disposal of the committee to cover the expense of securing this advice.'"

Source:  Pelhamwood Talks of Breaking Away From Village of North Pelham, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], No. 9290, May 19, 1920, p. 10, col. 4.  

"Pelhamwood Streets Are Taken Over By the Village

North Pelham, June 8.  --  The board of trustees met at the board rooms in the town hall last night to act on the dedication of the streets of Pelhamwood.  Every member was present when President Reilly called the meeting to order at 8:35.  A large delegation from Pelhamwood, many of them women, were present and Mr. Reilly officially welcomed them.  Counsel Lambert read the form of dedication which surrendered the easement to the streets to the village and informed the board that it had been signed by the officers of the Pelhamwood company.  Mr. Reilly asked that the agreement be read; this was done by the counsel.  The chair then asked if there was any discussion on the agreement either among the board or among the Pelhamwood delegation present.  There being no objection, Trustee Connacher moved that the streets be received as set forth in the dedication agreement, Trustee Krueger seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.  Then occurred something which has seldom, if ever taken place at a village board meeting; the people present broke into hearty applause.  Mr. Reilly then assured them that their wants would be taken care of, at which there was more applause.  President Uhler of the Pelhamwood association brought the old army cry of 'when do we eat?,' to mind when he said 'Now that you have the streets, what are you going to do to them?,' to which Mr. Reilly replied that they would be taken care of and the street commissioner who was present was instructed to go over them and see just what was needed.

Addressing the Pelhamwood association, Mr. Reilly said 'At present we must wait for crushed stone, as it would be useless to oil the streets now and then put stone on afterward.  The oil would only be wasted and oil for the streets now costs 10 cents a gallon.  We have only $9,000 in the budget for streets and this is intended to fix every street in the village.  Pelhamwood pays about 37 per cent of the taxes of the village and for the last ten years you had nothing done to your streets.  You are entitled to something and we believe you are going to get it.'  The question of preventing trucking on the parkways of the section brought the response that the village would draw up an ordinance prohibiting trucking on the parkways of the village and the police would be instructed to enforce it.  Village counsel was instructed to draw up an ordinance to that effect, and the village will erect signs at each entrance.  

Street Commissioner Smith was asked if it was possible to fix the street approaching the Pelhamwood station, which is now a 'rocky road to Dublin.'  Smith replied that the street in question was in the city of New Rochelle.  It then was explained that New Rochelle is about to take over the streets of Pelhamwood within the city limits and has already placed monuments there.  Another unusual scene was enacted when Mr. Uhler asked the village board to declare a recess for a few moments so the Pelhamwood association could hold a meeting.  This was granted and Mr. Uhler called the meeting to order and asked that a resolution of thanks be extended to President Reilly and the board of trustees of the village of North Pelham.  This was carried midst much applause.

President Reilly in the name of the board officially thanked them and again assured them that they would get all that is coming to them.  The Pelhamwood people then left and the board proceeded to business.  The next business was the proposed police booths.  President Reilly stated that he had received a bid, or rather an estimate from E. L. Lyon, he did not open it and asked the board whether they wished to award the bid at the meeting or ask for bids.  If the latter course was proposed, he would return the estimate to Mr. Lyon unopened; if, on the other hand, the board wished to erect the booths immediately, Mr. Lyon's estimate was there.  Trustee Harris stated that in his opinion the booths would cost close to $200 each, in which case it would be proper to award the contract by competition.  It was decided by the board to look at the estimate and the sealed envelope was handed to the clerk.  There was a series of long drawn breaths when the amounts were read.  For a booth 6 feet five inches by 6 feet six inches, 8 feet high, double floor, clapboard outside and ceiled inside, $296 each.  For booths same size, single floor, unceiled inside, $248 each.  The matter was laid over.  In the meantime the clerk was instructed to write to the Cheeseborough and Whitman for any catalogue they may have of police booths, etc.

Harry A. Anderson appeared before the board to defend his bill which had been laid over at last week's meeting.  It resulted in Mr. Reilly telling Mr. Anderson that he considered it an insult to himself and the board for Mr. Anderson to continue collecting taxes when he knew the administration which had appointed him, had gone out of business.  Mr. Anderson said he had never been notified to stop collecting, although he admitted that it might have been better had he consulted the board.  He disclaimed any intention at discourtesy toward the board.  The matter will come up at the next meeting.

Health Officer McGuire had not been notified to be present at this meeting so no action can be taken regarding the burned Sixth street flats.  A special meeting has been called for next Monday night at which this and other matters will be attended to.  The meeting then adjourned."

Source:  Pelhamwood Streets Are Taken Over By the Village, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], No. 9306, Jun. 8, 1920, p. 8, col. 5.  

"Pelhamwood's 'Louie' Completes 18th Year In Employ of Community Group
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Louis Civitello, 'Pelhamwood's Louis,' to young and old alike in North Pelham, observed an 'anniversary' on Wednesday.  As the street department of Pelhamwood, 'Louie' was just 18 years old, to use his own words.  It was on April 15, 1918, that William M. Uhler, then president of the Pelhamwood Association, hired 'Louie' as general man-of-all-work for the residential section covered by the association.  Since that time 'Louie' has become as indispensable to Pelhamwood as the 'Toonerville Trolley' is to Pelham Manor.

Ask the property owner who wants to dispose of some leaves.  Ask the mother sending her children off to school.  Ask the kids themselves among whose best friends the genial street man is numbered.  Ask the commuter who dashed out of the house in a rush for his train, forgetting to tell the lady of his household that the water was still running in the bathtub.  Ask the delivery boys who have packages to leave when no one's home.  Ask the officers of the Pelhamwood Association when they have notices to be distributed to every house in Pelhamwood.  Ask Santa Claus when his pack is too heavy on Christmas Eve.  Just ask them all, whom they can rely on and they'll all chorus, 'Louie.'

'Louie' was originally employed by the association, but for the last ten years the Village of North Pelham has paid one-half of his compensation.

His duties are principally street work, but at hours when children are going to and from school 'Louie' garbed in his coveted light blue uniform with the dazzling brass buttons acts as traffic officer at the intersection of Highbrook and Washington avenues.

'Louie' is a Pelhamwood feature, and has been for 18 years."

Source:  Pelhamwood's "Louie" Completes 18th Year In Employ of Community Group, The Pelham Sun, Vol. 27, No. 9, Apr. 17, 1936, p. 5, cols. 3-4.  


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Monday, July 02, 2018

1922 Cornerstone Laying of Today's Community Church of the Pelhams in Pelhamwood


It was a ceremony rich with tradition held on what was once the site of the "Old Frog Pond" at the corner of today's Washington and Highbrook Avenues.  The objective was to lay the cornerstone of the Congregational Christian Church, known today as the Community Church of the Pelhams located in Pelhamwood.

The ceremony was held on June 11, 1922.  The lovely half-timbered church was partially built when a large crowd gathered on a hot day to celebrate the event.  

The cornerstone used was not freshly-hewn.  Rather, it once had served as the cornerstone of another significant building.  It was the original corner stone of the Trinity Congregational Church built at 176th Street and Washington Avenue in New York City.  The stone was saved after that church building was "given up for public school purposes, on account of the tremendous change in the character of the population surrounding the church building."  

Even more interestingly, the original contents of the cornerstone laid in 1887 were kept within the stone.  The church added additional contents to the stone related to the Pelham Church.

I have written before about the history of today's Community Church of the Pelhams.  The Church is located at 448 Washington Avenue in a lovely part of Pelham known as Pelhamwood.  Originally part of the Congregational Christian Churches, it is now part of The United Church of Christ that was created in 1957 when the Congregational Christian Churches merged with the Evangelical and Reformed Churches.  For more about the history of the church, see, e.g.:

Tue., Mar. 04, 2014:  Information About the Earliest Years of Today's Community Church of the Pelhams.

Sat., Jan. 25, 2014:  Putting the Finishing Touches on the Lovely New Church in Pelhamwood in 1923.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog article transcribes an article that described the events of the day during the cornerstone laying ceremony.  It also includes immediately below a depiction of the church building as it originally was planned that was published with the article.



"To be new church at Pelhamwood; cornerstone laid yesterday."
Depiction of Today's Community Church of the Pelhams as it
was Originally Planned.  Source:  CORNER STONE OF PELHAM
CHURCH LAID YESTERDAYThe Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY],
Jun. 12, 1922, No. 9921, p. 7, cols. 3-4.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"CORNER STONE OF PELHAM CHURCH LAID YESTERDAY
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Pelham, June 12. -- The cornerstone of the new Congregational church of the Pelhams was laid successfully yesterday.  The corner of Washington and Highbrook avenues, Pelhamwood, witnessed a unique gathering.  On the site of the old frog pond there is arising a beautiful gothic stone and one-half timbered church edifice.  A splendid audience, despite the heat of the day and the gathering clouds at sunset, witnessed the dignified and highly edifying and inspirational ceremony of the laying of the corner stone of the progressive new liberal church of which the Rev. Dr. Wm. Milton Hess is pastor.

The day was a red letter day in the young history of the new church.  

The out-door service began with the singing of the fine old Pilgrim Father hymn, 'O God, Beneath Thy Guiding Hand, Our Exiled Fathers Crossed the Sea.'  This was followed by the innovation [sic] by Rev. Ralph L. Peterson of the Bedford Park Congregational church, New York city.  Selections from the scriptures were read by Rev. Chas. Francis Potter, who lives in Pelham and who is building a new liberal church on 110th street, New York city.  A solo was next splendidly rendered by Mrs. Habert Smith, of Spokane, Wash.

Mr. Walter E. Hallett, of Bronxville, the deputy comptroller of the Bank for Savings, and a former president of the board of trustees of the Trinity Congregational church, New York city, read an interesting historical record of the church.  He spoke of the wonderfully equipped church plant at 176th street and Washington avenue, New York city, that had to be given up for public school purposes, on account of the tremendous change in the character of the population surrounding the church building.  He spoke very highly of Dr. Hess as minister and church builder.

He was followed by Mr. John Oscar Ball, president of the board of trustees of the new church.  Mr. Ball resides in Pelhamwood, and he bespoke much interest in the new church.  Its progressiveness greatly appealed to him, he said.  He prophesied the church would fill a greatly needed want.  He was enthusiastic about its future; also highly complimenting Dr. Hess.

Brief addresses followed by Dr. James Robert Smith, secretary Congregational church building society, who promised the financial aid of this society later on; by Rev. Ernest M. Holliday, general secretary, Congregational church extension boards, and by Rev. Dr. Chas. W. Shelton, secretary Congregational church extension society.

The Rev. Dr. Wm. Milton Hess then announced the contents of the box in the corner stone.  The old contents, put in when Rev. Dr. Lyman Abbott officiated at the laying of the corner stone originally in 1887 in New York city, and the new contents concerning the removal to Pelhamwood, were interestingly described.  Following a greeting by Walter A. Vonderlieth, of the Pelhamwood association and a trustee of North Pelham, the corner stone was laid by Rev. Dr. Wm. E. Stevens, 33d Mason, past grand master and chaplain of the grand lodge of Masons, state of New York.

A hymn was sung before and after he officiated.

The prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Charles H. Richards, former secretary and now editorial secretary of the Congregational church building society.

Just as the corner stone was laid and after the congregation had gotten into the lower hall of the church building, the terrific wind and rain storm burst, reminding one of the Prophet Elijah's experience in King's 1:18.  God was in the 'Still Small Voice' of conscience as the Rev. Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis, of Henry Ward Beecher's Plymouth church, Brooklyn, held the audience spell-bound for another half hour.  

It was a magnificent oration, and it was most fittingly given by Dr. Hillis, the successor of Dr. Lyman Abbott, who made the chief speech at the laying of the identical corner stone, 35 years ago, at 176th street and Washington avenue, New York city.

A splendid God-filled letter from Miss Villa Faulkner Page, leader of the fellowship of the life more abundant of Brooklyn and Manhattan, was next read.  This was followed by a brief greeting from Mary E. T. Chapin, of New York city, of the International New Thought society.  Mrs. Chapin was much appreciated.

The doxology was followed by the benediction given by Rev. Carl S. Weist, of the First Congregational church of Mount Vernon.  

The whole affair was a brilliant success, and many favorable comments were made by those who were fortunate enough to witness the event."

Source:  CORNER STONE OF PELHAM CHURCH LAID YESTERDAY, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 12, 1922, No. 9921, p. 7, cols. 3-4.

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Wednesday, May 30, 2018

The Pelhamwood Fire Patrol No. 1 Founded in 1922


During the early 1920s, the little neighborhood of Pelhamwood had a one-man fire department.  His name was Jack Carroll.  

Truth be told, it was not a formal fire department.  In reality, Jack Carroll of Young Avenue was the only resident of Pelhamwood who served in the local fire department in Fire District No. 1.  He was a member of Liberty Engine & Hose Company No. 1.  His neighbors in Pelhamwood jokingly referred to him as the local one-man fire department.  The neighborhood "joke," however, seemed to mask a deep-seated concern that Pelhamwood had no formal fire-fighting organization.

Jack Carroll was proud of his fire service and his department.  In May or June of 1922, he suggested to Pelham Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy (who also lived in Pelhamwood) that a specialized fire company be recruited from among Pelhamwood citizens.  The company would be known as Fire Patrol Company No. 1 and would perform fire police work to control crowds and to guard fire scenes and would perform salvage work at fire scenes.  The intent was to reduce the burdens of such activities from the backs of Pelham firefighters.  

Commissioner McIlroy embraced the idea enthusiastically.  During a meeting of the Fire Commission on the evening of Tuesday, June 6, 1922, McIlroy presented the idea to his fellow Commissioners.  He noted that the First Fire District already had successfully raised a company of fire fighters from the tiny neighborhood of Pelham Heights and proposed that a company be raised from Pelhamwood to "act as fire police and as a salvage corps."  He further proposed that preparations should be made "in the future" for the purchase of a vehicle "to carry implements of salvage work such as tarpaulin, fire lines, etc."  Most significantly, he indicated that he could "have a company formed that would be a credit to the department" before "the end of the month."

On the evening of Thursday, June 15, Commissioner McIlroy appeared before members of the Pelhamwood Association to ask for volunteers to serve in a Pelhamwood fire company.  Members of the Pelhamwood Association volunteered enthusiastically.  McIlroy arranged for seventeen volunteers.  

The next day, The Pelham Sun reported:

"One of Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy's ambitions is realized.  The Pelhamwood Fire Patrol No. 1 now has a membership of seventeen members, three more are needed to fill the company.  The new company will apply to the Board of Fire Commissioners for a charter.  Commissioner McIlroy addressed the meeting of the Pelhamwood Association at the Town Hall last night, and asked for recruits.  The following will be enrolled as members of the new company:  Harold Koevhling, Leslie Hart, Thomas Stewart, W. B. Haff, A. Koppell, James Thompson, C. B. Miller, William Uhler, J. Young, R. R. Mamlock, Dr. David Jones, P. E. Bacas, William Gehron, H. S. Clark, A. E. Andon, John O. Ball and Walter H. McIlroy.  The duties of the new company will be those of a salvage corps and fire police.  At the last meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners it was stated that a piece of apparatus would be purchased for the company in the near future."

The subsequent history of The Pelhamwood Fire Patrol No. 1 is hazy.  More than two and one-half months later in early September, the company still had not been formally organized.  Thus, on the evening of Tuesday, September 5, 1922, Fire Commissioner McIlroy appeared before the Pelhamwood Association again and "reported that the Pelhamwood Fire Patrol would soon be organized and granted a charter by the Board of Fire Commissioners."

Yet, the proposed annual budget for the First Fire District in 1923 included a line item of $1,000 to purchase an "Apparatus for salvage corps."  The Pelham Sun reported that "The proposed budget carries a figure of $1,000.00 for the purchase and outfitting of a Dodge chassis for the newly formed Pelhamwood Fire Patrol, the salvage corps of the department." 

Though it would appear that the Pelhamwood Fire Patrol company was formed, research has not yet revealed its subsequent history.  


Page 2 of 1909 Pelhamwood Advertising Pamphlet.  Source:
Clifford B. Harmon & Co., Inc., PELHAMWOOD, p. 2 (NY: Clifford
B. Harmon & Co., Inc., 1909).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"McIlroy To Organize Pelhamwood Fire Patrol
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Fire Commissioner Enthusiastic About Enlisting Residents of Pelhamwood As Firemen
-----

The Pelhamwood Fire Department is no longer to be a subject for the wit of the wags of Pelham.  At present the man-power of the department numbers one, but Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy, who lives in Pelhamwood, will place plans before the Pelhamwood Association for the forming of Pelhamwood Fire Patrol No. 1, which will have a membership of twenty or more.

At present the only Pelhamwood member of the Fire Department of the First Fire District is Louis Sivitello [sic], the Pelhamwood street man.  For some time Sivitello [sic] has been known as the Pelhamwood Fire Department.

At the meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners Tuesday night the subject of a company for Pelhamwood along the lines of that of Pelham Heights was discussed, and it was decided that the Pelhamwood company could act as fire police and as a salvage corps.  Preparations will be made in the future for the purchase of a piece of apparatus on which to carry implements of salvage work such as tarpaulin, fire lines, etc.

Commissioner McIlroy was very enthusiastic about the Pelhamwood company and stated that he would push the matter through before the Pelhamwood Association, and by the end of the month would have a company formed that would be a credit to the department."

Source:  McIlroy To Organize Pelhamwood Fire Patrol -- Fire Commissioner Enthusiastic About Enlisting Residents of Pelhamwood As Firemen, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 9, 1922, p. 2, col. 4.

"To Have Fire Patrol

The Pelhamwood section is to have a fire company; that is, there will be a company known as Fire Patrol Company No. 1 which will do salvage work and guard places.  Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy brought the matter to the attention of the fire board at its last meeting and stated that Jack Carroll of Liberty Engine Company, who resides on Young Avenue, Pelhamwood, has been known as the 'Pelhamwood Fire Department' and as he is the only fireman in the section, he suggested the formation of a separate company to be known as the Fire Patrol.  Commissioner McIlroy stated that there were many men in Pelhamwood who would be more than pleased to serve in such a company."

Source:  To Have Fire Patrol, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 13, 1922, p. 7, col. 4.  

"Pelhamwood Fire Patrol Has Seventeen Members
-----
Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy Interests Members of Pelhamwood Association
-----

One of Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy's ambitions is realized.  The Pelhamwood Fire Patrol No. 1 now has a membership of seventeen members, three more are needed to fill the company.  The new company will apply to the Board of Fire Commissioners for a charter.

Commissioner McIlroy addressed the meeting of the Pelhamwood Association at the Town Hall last night, and asked for recruits.  The following will be enrolled as members of the new company:  Harold Koevhling, Leslie Hart, Thomas Stewart, W. B. Haff, A. Koppell, James Thompson, C. B. Miller, William Uhler, J. Young, R. R. Mamlock, Dr. David Jones, P. E. Bacas, William Gehron, H. S. Clark, A. E. Andon, John O. Ball and Walter H. McIlroy.  

The duties of the new company will be those of a salvage corps and fire police.  At the last meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners it was stated that a piece of apparatus would be purchased for the company in the near future."

Source:  Pelhamwood Fire Patrol Has Seventeen Members -- Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy Interests Members of Pelhamwood Association, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 16, 1922, p. 9, col. 5.  

"Routine Matters Before Pelhamwood Association
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Committee Appointed to Await On Village Board In Regards to Pelhamwood Sewer Question
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The Pelhamwood Association met for its first fall meeting, at the Town Hall, Tuesday night.  There were about forty members present.  President Brainerd opened the meeting at 8.30 o'clock.

A committee was appointed to await on the Village Board at its next meeting and request that some action be taken on the matter of sewers of the New Rochelle portion of Pelhamwood, draining into those of North Pelham.  The committee is composed of R. H. Shaw, Wm. M. Uhler, M. M. Schwartzschild, Walter H. McIlroy and Charles DeFreest.

Fire Commissioner, W. H. McIlroy, reported that the Pelhamwood Fire Patrol would soon be organized and granted a charter by the Board of Fire Commissioners.

President Brainerd reported that the New Haven railroad company will investigate the matter of deeding the portion of Highbrook avenue from the center of the arch to the Washington avenue pavement, to the Village of North Pelham, in order that the concrete pavement can be carried through the arch.

The association resolved to request the Village Board to replace the street sign at Washington avenue and Fraser street, and to place a street sign at Clifford and Harmon avenues.  The matter of painting the street names on the pillars along Washington was also discussed.

The following membership committee was appointed:  For Highbrook avenue, A. D. Koppel; Young avenue, E. J. Dillon; Harmon avenue south, H. G. Weltmer, Harmon avenue north, R. R. Mamlock; Clifford avenue, A. E. Andon; Washington avenue, Frederick Worrall; Fraser street, J. O. Ball; Benedict place, N. F. Vought.

A resolution of thanks was ordered sent to the Rev. Dr. W. M. Hess, of the Congregational Church, for deeding the land at the corner of Washington and Highbrook avenues to the village, in order that the corner could be rounded.  The association will request the Church of the Redeemer to deed a portion of the corner of Fifth avenue and Harmon avenue, in order that a better approach to that street can be obtained, by rounding the corner.

The meeting adjourned at 10 o'clock."

Source:  Routine Matters Before Pelhamwood Association -- Committee Appointed to Await On Village Board In Regards to Pelhamwood Sewer Question, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 8, 1922, p. 6, cols. 4-5.

"Pelhamwood Fire Patrol.

The Pelhamwood Fire Patrol is being organized and will be the latest addition to the fire department of the first district.  Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy, who is a resident of Pelhamwood, announced that the company is formed and will receive a charter from the board of fire commissioners.  This is something the department has sadly lacked in the past and will relieve some of the men from fire police duty to handling the hose and other equipment at fires."

Source:  Pelhamwood Fire Patrol, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 20, 1922, p. 14, cols. 1-2.  

"Budget Of First Fire District Shows Decrease
-----
Board of Fire Commissioners Are Ready To Submit Budget To Town Board
-----
Little Difference in Major Portion of Items Of Expense For Ensuing Year
-----

It will cost $21,440.00 to run the affairs of the First Fire District through the ensuing year, according to the estimated budget of the Board of Fire Commissioners.  Of this amount the taxpayers will have to raise $18,200.59, as there is about $3,239.41 left over from the budget of last year.  The budget was to have been submitted to the Town Board for approval Monday night, but owing to the fact that a quorum could not be present the matter was laid over to a future meeting.

The budget is approximately $4,000 lower than that of last year.  The decrease is explained by the fact that last year's budget carried an appropriation of that amount for the installation of 17 new fire alarm boxes.  

The proposed budget carries a figure of $1,000.00 for the purchase and outfitting of a Dodge chassis for the newly formed Pelhamwood Fire Patrol, the salvage corps of the department.  The item of light, heat and power shows an increase of $50.  Each of the three drivers have received a salary increase of $5 per month, so the item of drivers' salaries is increased from $4,860.00 to $5,046.00.  Provision for equipment shows an increase from $300 to $800.  Repairs to building have increased from $500 to $1000.  Maintenance of autos shows a drop from $1,000 to $500.  The item of salary for the clerk to the board is double that of last year.  The budget follows.

Principal on bond due July 1, 1923...............$1,550.00
Interest on outstanding bonds for one year..........600.00
Interest on outstanding bond of $1,550.00 for one year..............46.50
Hydrant rental or water supply for North Pelham...................4,950.00
Hydrant rental or water supply for Pelham....................2,000.00
Light, heat and power.....................756.00
3 janitors and chauffeurs at $1680 each...............5,040.00
Equipment..............800.00
Hose..................550.00
Repairs to building............................1,000.00
Insurance (automobile).....................130.00
Insurance (compensation)................284.00
Maintenance of autos.................500.00
Inspection and parade...............150.00
Contingent Fund.......................1,000.00
Clerk to board............................240.00
Legal expense...........................700.00
Apparatus for salvage corps....................1,000.00
Tarpaulins......................150.00
______________________________________
                                            $21,440.00
Left from 1922 budget.........   3,239.41

Total 1923 budget...............$18,200.59"

Source:  Budget Of First Fire District Shows Decrease -- Board of Fire Commissioners Are Ready To Submit Budget To Town Board -- Little Difference in Major Portion of Items Of Expense For Ensuing Year, The Pelham Sun, Jan. 19, 1923, Vol. 13, No. 47, p. 1, col. 5.

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Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Sale of the Last Open Lots in the Pelham Section of Pelhamwood


During the spring of 1909, a newly-created company known as Clifford B. Harmon & Co., Inc. began grading and developing the neighborhood we know today as Pelhamwood.  While the company was new, its namesake had been involved for more than two decades in the creation of suburban developments throughout the northeast and along the Atlantic coast. 

The company built steps up the hill across from the station plaza on the north side of the New Haven Line tracks leading up to a sales office. It built a "tea house" used to host visitors and prospective buyers of lots and homes in the new development.  It built the Pelhamwood clock tower as well as covered "gates" leading in and out of the development, all intended to add to the rustic charm of the idyllic setting. 

Within months of beginning such development work, Clifford B. Harmon & Co. began flooding the New York City region with countless real estate advertisements for the new development.  In only a few short years, much of Pelhamwood was dotted with beautiful homes.

Nevertheless, it took more than thirteen years for Pelhamwood to be fully developed.  It was not until 1922 that the last open lots within that portion of Pelhamwood located within Pelham (rather than New Rochelle) were sold for development.

In early April, 1922, the last 28 open lots were owned by Joseph Lambden & Son of New Rochelle.  The firm sold 22 of the lots to a Pelhamwood resident, N. F. Vought of Benedict Place for $20,000.  Vought announced that he would build seven brick residences on the lots which fronted on Highbrook Avenue.  A "Mr. Hessian" of New York City bought the remaining six lots which fronted the tracks of the New York, Westchester & Boston Railway for $6,000.  He announced that he would build three "frame buildings" on the lots.  

Within a short time, Pelhamwood was fully developed. . . .


Page 2 of 1909 Pelhamwood Advertising Pamphlet.
Source: Clifford B. Harmon & Co., Inc., PELHAMWOOD,
p. 2 (NY: Clifford B. Harmon & Co., Inc., 1909).
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"Last Of Pelham Section Of Pelhamwood Is Sold
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Purchasers of Twenty-Eight Lots Intend to Erect Dwelling Houses on Sites, In Near Future
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The last lots of the section of Pelhamwood that is within the limits of the Village of North Pelham were sold this week by Joseph Lambden & Son of New Rochelle.  The only part of Pelhamwood left unsold it over the New Rochelle city line.

Twenty-two of the lots were purchased by N. F. Vought, of Benedict Place, Pelhamwood.  Mr. Vought plans to erect seven brick dwelling houses on the lots, which front on Highbrook Avenue.  It is stated that the sale was accomplished at a figure of $20,000.  A Mr. Hessian of New York was the purchaser of the remaining six lots in the tract.  These lots [adjoin] the New York and Westchester Railrod, and were held for $6,000.  Mr. Hessian intends to erect three frame buildings on the property."

Source:  Last Of Pelham Section Of Pelhamwood Is Sold -- Purchasers of Twenty-Eight Lots Intend to Erect Dwelling Houses on Sites, In Near Future, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 14, 1922, Vol. 13, No. 7, p. 7, col. 1.

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Periodically I have written about Pelhamwood and Clifford B. Harmon, a principal developer of Pelhamwood.  For those interested in a comprehensive history of the early development of Pelhamwood, see Bell, Blake A., The Early Development of Pelhamwood, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 37, Sept. 17, 2004, p. 12, col. 2.  For earlier postings about Pelhamwood and Clifford B. Harmon, see:

Wed., Nov. 23, 2016:  1910 Railroad Announcement that the "Finest and Most Artistic Bridge" Would Be Built Over Highbrook Avenue.

Mon., Nov. 21, 2016:  Pelhamwood Benefited from the "Growing Rush to the Country" in 1909.

Tue., Nov. 15, 2016:  Railroad Deeded the Land to Create Pelhamwood Avenue in 1927.

Mon., Sep. 26, 2016:  Battles over Razing the Fifth Avenue Station, the Highbrook Avenue Bridge, and Embankments After Failure of New York, Westchester & Boston Railway.

Thu., Sep. 22, 2016:  Pelham's Highbrook Avenue Bridge Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Thu., Sep. 01, 2016:  Excavation Contractors Smith Brothers and the Beginnings of Pelhamwood in the Early Spring of 1909.

Tue., Mar. 01, 2016:  Unusual 1909 Advertising Pamphlet for Pelhamwood.

Tue., Feb. 02, 2016:  Early Pelhamwood Advertisements with Important Sketches of the New Development.

Tue., Nov. 10, 2015:  The New Development of Pelhamwood as it Was in 1913.

Wed., May 20, 2015:  Early History of the Pelhamwood Clock.

Mon., Mar. 16, 2015:   Newspaper References and Advertisements Regarding Development of Pelhamwood.

Mon., Mar. 16, 2015:  Newspaper References and Advertisements Regarding Development of Pelhamwood.

Fri., Sep. 26, 2014:  1909 Advertisements Show How the New Development of Pelhamwood Was Marketed to New Yorkers.

Sat., Jan. 25, 2014:  Putting the Finishing Touches on the Lovely New Church in Pelhamwood in 1923.  

Fri., Feb. 19, 2010:  1909 Newspaper Advertisement for the New Development of Pelhamwood.

Mon., Feb. 1, 2010:  Obituary of Richard B. Ferris of Pelhamwood

Thu., Oct. 11, 2007:  Biographical Data and Photographs of Clifford B. Harmon Who Developed Pelhamwood

Tue., Jul. 10, 2007:  An Early Event in the History of Pelhamwood

Thu., Jun. 21, 2007:  Information About "Aeronautic" Exploits of Clifford B. Harmon Who Developed Pelhamwood in Pelham

Thu. Aug. 10, 2006:  The New Development of Pelhamwood Gets Approval for its Proposed Sewage System in 1912

Tue., Nov. 15, 2005:  Plaque Dedicated at the Historic Pelhamwood Clock Tower

Mon., Sep. 12, 2005: Pelhamwood Association Celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 1942

Thu., May 12, 2005: Clifford B. Harmon, Developer of Pelhamwood.

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