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.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Beautiful Image of the Old Iron Pelham Bridge Built in 1869-1870


For much of the last two hundred years, there has been a bridge over the Hutchinson River where it empties into Eastchester Bay. The various bridges that have been built there have played a critical role in the development, and thus the history, of the Town of Pelham. 

On March 6, 1812, the New York State Legislature enacted a statute incorporating the "Eastchester Bridge Company" to build a bridge over the Hutchinson River where it empties into Eastchester Bay. The bridge was built shortly afterward and is believed to have been completed by about 1815. 

In 1817, the Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Company was incorporated to construct a turnpike from the causeway at Westchester to the bridge. That bridge came to be known as "Pelham Bridge" -- the name it bears today. Even in its first iteration, Pelham Bridge included a draw to permit ships to pass. Within its first few years, the first Pelham Bridge was destroyed by a storm. On April 12, 1816, the company was authorized by the Legislature to sell its property and toll franchise for a period of forty-five years. 

Some sources say the second bridge was built in 1834 by George Rapelje, with the right to charge tolls for a period of thirty years, but the supervisors of Westchester County purchased the bridge in 1860 and made it free. The bridge was replaced with an iron bridge constructed in 1869-1870. That bridge, in turn, was replaced by the present larger bridge, opened by the New York City Department of Bridges on October 15, 1908.

Today's Historic Pelham presents a lovely postcard image of the old iron Pelham Bridge constructed in 1869-1870 that was replaced by the concrete arch bridge that stands to this day.  The image appears immediately below.


"PELHAM BAY BRIDGE, PELHAM BAY PARK, NEW YORK."
NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Though the postcard is undated, it most certainly depicts the Pelham Bridge about 1907.  There is no evidence in the image of any construction of the abutments of the current concrete arch Pelham Bridge that opened adjacent to the site of this old iron bridge on October 15, 1908.  The photograph immediately below shows the bridge in the postcard image above in the background of a photograph showing the new bridge abutments under construction in the foreground.


"FOUNDATIONS FOR PELHAM BRIDGE-- OLD STRUCTURE
IN BACKGROUND."  Source:  Concrete Arch Bridge at Pelham
Bay Park, Good Roads, May 1910, pp. 190-92 (NY, NY: E.L.
Powers Co. 1910).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

An earlier image of the old iron bridge published in 1884 in Harper's Weekly as part of a page of images showing various parts of Pelham Bay Park shows the Pelham Bridge about 25 years earlier from a slightly different angle.  Careful scrutiny of each of these three images will show features in addition to the paired arches of the bridge that appear in all three images.


Detail from Engraving Published in 1884 Showing Old Iron
Pelham Bridge. Source: "PELHAM PARK, NEW YORK. -- DRAWN
BY CHARLES GRAHAM.", Harper's Weekly, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1442,
1884, pp. 514 & 521. Note that the iron arches of the bridge are visible
in the distance on the right edge of the image.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The undated postcard image of the old iron Pelham Bridge reminds us of a simpler and quaint time when horses, carriages, cattle, and oxen wandered the roads of Pelham and crossed the bridges of our region.

*          *          *          *          *

Below are examples of previous postings that address the histories of the various Pelham Bridges that have spanned Eastchester Bay for the last two centuries and development of associated roadways.

Mon., Jan. 08, 2018:  Remnants of the Ten-Story Mountain of Garbage That Looms Over Pelham Bridge.

Wed., Nov. 22, 2017:  The Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Road Company Incorporated in 1817.

Wed., May 17, 2017:  More on the History of the Pelham Bridge Hotel that Burned Down on October 28, 1882

Fri., Oct. 14, 2016:  Early History of Pelham's Ancient Shore Road, Long an Important Pelham Thoroughfare Along Long Island Sound.

Thu., Oct. 13, 2016:  The Eastchester Bridge Company Raised Tolls on Pelham Bridge Before It Was Even Built.

Wed., Oct. 12, 2016:  More on the Early History of Pelham Bridge Including Ownership of the Bridge Between 1834 and 1860.

Tue., Oct. 11, 2016:  Is It Possible The First Pelham Bridge Built in About 1815 Was Repaired After Near Destruction by a Storm?

Tue., Aug. 02, 2016:  More Research Regarding the 19th Century Grand View Hotel at Pelham Bridge.

Mon., Aug. 01, 2016:  Pelham Bridge Hotel Used by Col. Delancey Astor Kane's Pelham Coach Burned Down in 1882.

Fri., Jul. 29, 2016:  Shooting Death at the Grand View Hotel at Pelham Bridge in 1892.

Thu., Jul. 21, 2016:  "Base Ball" Match Played at Arcularius Hotel at Pelham Bridge in 1875.

Tue., May 17, 2016:  Rare Images of the Lorillard Cottage of "Coaching to Pelham" Fame.

Wed., Oct. 1, 2014:  Bridge Keepers of the Pelham Bridge from 1870 to 1872.

Mon., Jul. 21, 2014:  Image of the Second Pelham Bridge Built in 1834 From a Sketch Created in 1865.

Thu., Jul. 17, 2014:  Sabotage Brought Down the 70-Ton Draw Span of Pelham Bridge in 1908 and Delayed its Opening

Tue., Jun. 10, 2014: Construction of the Concrete Arch Pelham Bridge.

Mon., May 12, 2014: The March 6, 1812 New York Statute Authorizing Construction of the Pelham Bridge.

Tue., Sep. 22, 2009: Names of Early "Keepers of Pelham Bridge" Appointed by Westchester County.

Thu., Jan. 08, 2009: Another Brief History of The Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Jan. 1, 2009: A Brief History of Pelham Bridge.

Wed., Jan. 2, 2008: New York State Senate Report on Petition by Inhabitants of Westchester to Allow Construction of Toll Bridge Across Eastchester Creek in 1834.

Tue., Aug. 28, 2007: The Laying Out of Pelham Avenue From Fordham to Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Wed., Jul. 4, 2007: 1857 Real Estate Advertisement for Sale of the Pelham Bridge.

Fri., Jul. 22, 2007: 1857 Real Estate Advertisement for Sale of "Country Seat" at Pelham Bridge.

Fri., May 18, 2007: Celebration at Pelham Bridge in 1872.

Wed., May 16, 2007: Board of Supervisors of Westchester County Vote to Build New Iron Bridge to Replace Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Tue., May 15, 2007: The Owner of the Pelham Bridge Hotel Sold it for the Princely Sum of $22,000 in 1869.

Mon., May 14, 2007: Plans to Widen Shore Road in the Town of Pelham in 1869.

Fri., May 11, 2007: A Sad Attempted Suicide at Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Thu., Dec. 08, 2005: The First Stone Bridge Built Across Eastchester Creek in Pelham, 1814-1815.

Thu., Aug. 18, 2005: The Opening of the New Iron "Pelham Bridge" in 1871.

Tue., Aug. 9, 2005: Cock Fighting at Pelham Bridge in the 19th Century.

Thu., Jul. 21, 2005: Today's Remnants of the Bartow Station on the Branch Line Near City Island.

Tue., Jun. 28, 2005: The Hotel and Bar Room at Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Mar. 24, 2005: The Bartow Area of Pelham in the 19th Century: Where Was It?

Wed., Mar. 23, 2005: Prize Fighting at Pelham Bridge in 1884.

For more about the Pelham Bridge and its history, see Pelham Bridge, Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelham_Bridge (visited May 6, 2014).

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

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Wednesday, October 01, 2014

Bridge Keepers of the Pelham Bridge from 1870 to 1872



Apparently due to record-keeping confusion at the county level, in 1872, the Committee on Roads and Bridges of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Westchester was charged with investigating precisely who served as keeper of Pelham Bridge in 1870, 1871, and 1872 and what they were paid.  On December 21, 1872, the Committee issued its report and its proposed resolutions dealing with the matter were entered in the records of the Board's General Orders on that date.

The issue, it seems, was that in 1869 the Board approved a resolution to pay the keeper of the Pelham Bridge for the year 1870 the sum of $500.  The sum was appropriated, but due to an error in the County Treasurer's books, the salary of the keeper of the Pelham Bridge was omitted from the books.  To make matters more suspicious, although the County properly appropriated $500 to be paid to Augustus Lawrence to serve as keeper of the bridge in 1870, David Blizzard arranged to have the money paid directly to him for service that year as keeper of the Pelham Bridge.  David Blizzard owned "Blizzards," a hotel and refreshment center located at Pelham Bridge.  

It turns out that investigation revealed that for whatever reason, David Blizzard served as keeper of the Pelham Bridge in 1870 while Augustus Lawrence served in 1871.  According to the Committee's report, all necessary duties that were required to be performed at the bridge had, indeed, been performed by Blizzard in 1870 and by Lawrence in 1871.  David Blizzard next performed the services as bridge keeper during the year 1872.  

For reasons not yet know, it appears that for a period of time the two men, David Blizzard and Augustus Lawrence, were alternating as bridge keeper of the Pelham Bridge during the early 1870's.  The time period involved is particularly intriguing because in 1869-1870, the second stone Pelham Bridge was replaced with a new iron bridge (the third Pelham bridge).  In 1870, 1871, and 1872, these two men were operating as keepers of the then-new iron Pelham Bridge.

I have written much about the history of the various bridges known as the Pelham Bridge that have crossed the mouth of the Hutchinson River at Eastchester Bay.  A list of such articles with links appears at the end of this posting.  

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of the December 21, 1872 report of the Committee on Roads and Bridges, followed by a citation to its source.

"Mr. TEED, from the Committee on Roads and Bridges, to which was referred resolution relating to salary of keeper of Pelham Bridge, presented the following report thereon:

To the Board of Supervisors:

The undersigned Committee, to which was referred the matter of bridge keepers for Pelham Bridge, make the following report:

That in making said examination, we find that in the year 1869 there was a resolution authorizing the levying of $500 to pay the salary of bridge keeper of Pelham Bridge for the year 1870, but in the examination of the County Treasurer's books, and also of the list of county appropriations in the proceedings of the Board for that year, we find that the salary for the keeper of said bridge was omitted by the Clerk (probably through mistake); we also find that the appropriation of $500 made in the year 1870 for the salary of Augustus Lawrence as keeper of Pelham Bridge was misapplied and paid to David Blizzard on his order.

We also find that in the examination of that part more particularly referred to us, in the discussion that took place in the Board at the time of the reference to our Committee, viz.:  Whether the duties were performed by the said David Blizzard for the year 1870, and also of Augustus Lawrence for the year 1871:  [Page 372 / Page 373]

Report, that from all the information we have been able to obtain from the old and present commission of said bridge, have been performed in the keeping of the lights in order, ferrying people across the stream, and attending to the taking charge of, and having an oversight of, the property belonging to the county.

Resolved, That there be levied, assessed and collected, on the taxable property of the County of Westchester, the sum of $500, and paid to Augustus Lawrence for his services as bridge keeper of Pelham Bridge for the year 1871.

Resolved, That there be levied, assessed and collected, on the taxable property of the County of Westchester, the sum of $500, and paid to David Blizzard for services to be performed as bridge keeper for Pelham Bridge for the year 1872.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

WM. E. TEED,          )
THOS. LEARY,         }  Committee on Roads and Bridges
P. HENDRICK,         )   

Dated Dec. 21, 1872.

(Entered on General Orders, No. 45.)"

Source:  "Mr. TEED, from the Committee on Roads and Bridges," in Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Westchester, For the Year 1871 -- Charles E. Johnson, Clerk, pp. 372-73 (NY, NY:  E. Wells Sackett, Stationer and Printer, 1872).



Detail from Engraving Published in 1884
Showing Old Iron Pelham Bridge Where David
Blizzard and Augustus Lawrence Served as Bridge Keepers.
Source:  "PELHAM PARK, NEW YORK. -- DRAWN BY
CHARLES GRAHAM.", Harper's Weekly, Vol. XXVIII,
No. 1442, 1884, pp. 514 & 521.
Note that the iron arches of the bridge are visible
in the distance on the right edge of the image.

*          *          *           *           *

Below are examples of previous postings that address the histories of the various Pelham Bridges that have spanned Eastchester Bay for the last two centuries.

Mon., Jul. 21, 2014:  Image of the Second Pelham Bridge Built in 1834 From a Sketch Created in 1865.

Thu., Jul. 17, 2014:  Sabotage Brought Down the 70-Ton Draw Span of Pelham Bridge in 1908 and Delayed its Opening

Tue., Jun. 10, 2014: Construction of the Concrete Arch Pelham Bridge.

Mon., May 12, 2014: The March 6, 1812 New York Statute Authorizing Construction of the Pelham Bridge.

Tue., Sep. 22, 2009: Names of Early "Keepers of Pelham Bridge" Appointed by Westchester County.

Thu., Jan. 08, 2009: Another Brief History of The Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Jan. 1, 2009: A Brief History of Pelham Bridge.

Wed., Jan. 2, 2008: New York State Senate Report on Petition by Inhabitants of Westchester to Allow Construction of Toll Bridge Across Eastchester Creek in 1834.

Tue., Aug. 28, 2007: The Laying Out of Pelham Avenue From Fordham to Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Wed., Jul. 4, 2007: 1857 Real Estate Advertisement for Sale of the Pelham Bridge.

Fri., Jul. 22, 2007: 1857 Real Estate Advertisement for Sale of "Country Seat" at Pelham Bridge.

Fri., May 18, 2007: Celebration at Pelham Bridge in 1872.

Wed., May 16, 2007: Board of Supervisors of Westchester County Vote to Build New Iron Bridge to Replace Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Tue., May 15, 2007: The Owner of the Pelham Bridge Hotel Sold it for the Princely Sum of $22,000 in 1869.

Mon., May 14, 2007: Plans to Widen Shore Road in the Town of Pelham in 1869.

Fri., May 11, 2007: A Sad Attempted Suicide at Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Thu., Dec. 08, 2005: The First Stone Bridge Built Across Eastchester Creek in Pelham, 1814-1815.

Thu., Aug. 18, 2005: The Opening of the New Iron "Pelham Bridge" in 1871.

Tue., Aug. 9, 2005: Cock Fighting at Pelham Bridge in the 19th Century.

Thu., Jul. 21, 2005: Today's Remnants of the Bartow Station on the Branch Line Near City Island.

Tue., Jun. 28, 2005: The Hotel and Bar Room at Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Mar. 24, 2005: The Bartow Area of Pelham in the 19th Century: Where Was It?

Wed., Mar. 23, 2005: Prize Fighting at Pelham Bridge in 1884.

For more about the Pelham Bridge and its history, see Pelham Bridge, Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelham_Bridge (visited May 6, 2014).

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."

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Thursday, October 09, 2014

Cost to Build the Third Pelham Bridge in 1869 and 1870


On March 6, 1812, the New York State Legislature enacted a statute incorporating the "Eastchester Bridge Company" to build a bridge over the Hutchinson River where it empties into Eastchester Bay.  The bridge was built shortly afterward and is believed to have been completed by about 1815. In 1817, the Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Company was incorporated to construct a turnpike from the causeway at Westchester to the bridge.  That bridge came to be known as "Pelham Bridge" -- the name it bears today. 

Even in its first iteration, Pelham Bridge included a draw to permit ships to pass.  Within its first few years, the first Pelham Bridge was destroyed by a storm.  On April 12, 1816, the company was authorized by the Legislature to sell its property and toll franchise for a period of forty-five years.  The second bridge was built in 1834 by George Rapelje, with the right to charge tolls for a period of thirty years, but the supervisors of Westchester County purchased the bridge in 1860 and made it free. 

The bridge was replaced with an iron bridge constructed in 1869-1870. That bridge, in turn, was replaced by the present larger bridge, opened by the New York City Department of Bridges on October 15, 1908.

Review of the proceedings of the Board of Supervisors for the County of Westchester for the year 1871 have revealed the cost to construct the iron Pelham Bridge that was constructed in 1869-1870.  

On December 27, 1871, the Committee on Roads and Bridges issued a report to the Westchester County Board of Supervisors in which the Committee summarizes its examination of the amounts expended to construct the iron Pelham Bridge in 1869-1870.  According to the report, the cost to construct the substructure of the bridge was $15,384.14.  The cost to construct the superstructure of the bridge was $9,055.00 for a total construction cost of $24,439.14.  This amount would be the rough equivalent of about $443,766 in 2013 dollars.

The cost to construct the iron Pelham Bridge were funded through the sale of bonds.  Authorized by an Act of the New York State Legislature passed May 5, 1870, $30,000 worth of bonds were issued to permit bonds sales to fund the project.  

The text of the full report appears immediately below, followed by a citation to its source.  Thereafter is a brief report referencing the issuance of $30,000 worth of bonds to fund the costs (and a citation to the source).  At the end of today's posting I have included links to previous articles about the Pelham Bridge.



Detail from Engraving Published in 1884
Showing Old Iron Pelham Bridge.
Source:  "PELHAM PARK, NEW YORK. -- DRAWN BY
CHARLES GRAHAM.", Harper's Weekly, Vol. XXVIII,
No. 1442, 1884, pp. 514 & 521.
Note that the iron arches of the bridge are visible
in the distance on the right edge of the image.

"Mr. TEED, fro Committee on Roads and Bridges, to which was referred the report of the Commissioners of Pelham Bridge, presented the following report thereon, which was adopted:

To the Board of Supervisors:

The undersigned Committee, to which was referred the supplementary report of the Commissioners for the rebuilding of Pelham Bridge, adopted at the session of 1869, respectfully report:

That they have given the subject a careful examination, and after hearing explanations appertaining to vouchers, presented to us by said Commission, have arrived at the following conclusions:  [Page 415 / Page 416]

1st.  That the amount received by the said Commission from County Treasurer is $24,500, and expended as per vouchers presented, as follows, to wit:  

On Substructure...............................$15,384.14
" Superstructure...............................    9,055.00

making in all expended by said Commission, as above stated, $24,439.14 (not including a large amount of bills now in the hands of the Judiciary Committee for examination, for materials, &c., furnished for Pelham Bridge under said old Commission, leaving a balance in the hands of said old Commission, leaving a balance in the hands of said Commission of $60.86, which amount has been paid in to the County Treasurer, as per voucher presented with this report.

We also present to the Board a certificate given by said Committee to Benjamin Hegeman, as Treasurer of said Commission, for $5,500, on County Treasurer, bearing date Nov. 26th, 1870, which was not duly honored in consequence of there being no Chairman of the Board of Supervisors authorized to act, in pursuance of a resolution of said Board and of a special Act of the Legislature authorizing the Board of Supervisors to issue bonds for the rebuilding of Pelham Bridge, which said certificate, bearing date as aforesaid, was included in the report of the Committee on Roads and Bridges of last year on report of Pelham Bridge Commission; which said certificate we now present to your Honorable Body, and recommend that the Chairman be authorized to destroy the same forthwith in the presence of the Board.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

Dated Dec. 27, 1871.

WM. E. TEED    )
THOS. LEARY   }  Committee on Roads and Bridges.
P. HENDRICK   )"

Source:  Mr. TEED, from Committee on Roads and Bridges in Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Westchester, For the Year 1871 -- Charles E. Johnson, Clerk, pp. 415-16 (NY, NY:  E. Wells Sackett, Stationer and Printer, 1872).

"Pelham Bridge Bonds.

In pursuance of an Act of the Legislature of the State of New York, passed May 5, 1870, providing for the issuing of Bonds by the County Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for the building of Pelham Bridge, such Bonds have been issued in amount $30,000.

Amount due May 1, 1872..........$5,000.00
Interest due May 1, 1872..........   1,050.00
Interest due November 1, 1872.     875.00
Treasurer's Fees.......................        69.25
                                                  $6,994.25

Pelham Bridge Bonds in Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Westchester, For the Year 1871 -- Charles E. Johnson, Clerk, p. 68 (NY, NY: E. Wells Sackett, Stationer and Printer, 1872).

*          *          *           *           *

Below are examples of previous postings that address the histories of the various Pelham Bridges that have spanned Eastchester Bay for the last two centuries.

Wed., Oct. 1, 2014:  Bridge Keepers of the Pelham Bridge from 1870 to 1872.

Mon., Jul. 21, 2014:  Image of the Second Pelham Bridge Built in 1834 From a Sketch Created in 1865.

Thu., Jul. 17, 2014:  Sabotage Brought Down the 70-Ton Draw Span of Pelham Bridge in 1908 and Delayed its Opening

Tue., Jun. 10, 2014: Construction of the Concrete Arch Pelham Bridge.

Mon., May 12, 2014: The March 6, 1812 New York Statute Authorizing Construction of the Pelham Bridge.

Tue., Sep. 22, 2009: Names of Early "Keepers of Pelham Bridge" Appointed by Westchester County.

Thu., Jan. 08, 2009: Another Brief History of The Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Jan. 1, 2009: A Brief History of Pelham Bridge.

Wed., Jan. 2, 2008: New York State Senate Report on Petition by Inhabitants of Westchester to Allow Construction of Toll Bridge Across Eastchester Creek in 1834.

Tue., Aug. 28, 2007: The Laying Out of Pelham Avenue From Fordham to Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Wed., Jul. 4, 2007: 1857 Real Estate Advertisement for Sale of the Pelham Bridge.

Fri., Jul. 22, 2007: 1857 Real Estate Advertisement for Sale of "Country Seat" at Pelham Bridge.

Fri., May 18, 2007: Celebration at Pelham Bridge in 1872.

Wed., May 16, 2007: Board of Supervisors of Westchester County Vote to Build New Iron Bridge to Replace Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Tue., May 15, 2007: The Owner of the Pelham Bridge Hotel Sold it for the Princely Sum of $22,000 in 1869.

Mon., May 14, 2007: Plans to Widen Shore Road in the Town of Pelham in 1869.

Fri., May 11, 2007: A Sad Attempted Suicide at Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Thu., Dec. 08, 2005: The First Stone Bridge Built Across Eastchester Creek in Pelham, 1814-1815.

Thu., Aug. 18, 2005: The Opening of the New Iron "Pelham Bridge" in 1871.

Tue., Aug. 9, 2005: Cock Fighting at Pelham Bridge in the 19th Century.

Thu., Jul. 21, 2005: Today's Remnants of the Bartow Station on the Branch Line Near City Island.

Tue., Jun. 28, 2005: The Hotel and Bar Room at Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Mar. 24, 2005: The Bartow Area of Pelham in the 19th Century: Where Was It?

Wed., Mar. 23, 2005: Prize Fighting at Pelham Bridge in 1884.

For more about the Pelham Bridge and its history, see Pelham Bridge, Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelham_Bridge (visited May 6, 2014).

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."

Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, July 21, 2014

Image of the Second Pelham Bridge Built in 1834 From a Sketch Created in 1865


For much of the last two hundred years, there has been a bridge over the Hutchinson River where it empties into Eastchester Bay.  The various bridges that have been built there have played a critical role in the development, and thus the history, of the Town of Pelham.

On March 6, 1812, the New York State Legislature enacted a statute incorporating the "Eastchester Bridge Company" to build a bridge over the Hutchinson River where it empties into Eastchester Bay.  The bridge was built shortly afterward and is believed to have been completed by about 1815.  In 1817, the Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Company was incorporated to construct a turnpike from the causeway at Westchester to the bridge.  That bridge came to be known as "Pelham Bridge"  -- the name it bears today.

Even in its first iteration, Pelham Bridge included a draw to permit ships to pass.  Within its first few years, the first Pelham Bridge was destroyed by a storm.  On April 12, 1816, the company was authorized by the Legislature to sell its property and toll franchise for a period of forty-five years. The second bridge was built in 1834 by George Rapelje, with the right to charge tolls for a period of thirty years, but the supervisors of Westchester County purchased the bridge in 1860 and made it free.

The bridge was replaced with an iron bridge constructed in 1869-1870.  That bridge, in turn, was replaced by the present larger bridge, opened by the New York City Department of Bridges on October 15, 1908.

This author is unaware of any image of the original Pelham Bridge built in about 1815 and destroyed by a storm shortly after it opened.  There is, however, a wonderful sketch of the second Pelham Bridge built in 1834.  The sketch was created by W. J. Wilson in 1865, only four years before construction began on the third generation Pelham Bridge that was built in 1869-1870.  An image of the sketch appears immediately below, followed by a citation to its source as well as transcription of brief text that accompanied the sketch in the same source.

In the image, the multiple stone footings of the causeway are visible as are horse-drawn carriages traveling in both directions on the bridge.  The turntable draw on a stone masonry foundation is visible in the center of the bridge.  


"Pelham Bridge in 1865
From a sketch by W. J. Wilson"
Source:  Jenkins, Stephen, The Story of the Bronx
From the Purchase Made by the Dutch from the Indians
in 1639 to the Present Day, Opposite p. 318
(NY and London:  G.P. Putnam's Sons
The Knickerbocker Press, 1912).


"In March, 1812, the Legislature incorporated the Eastchester Bridge Company, and the bridge over the Hutchinson River near its mouth was built soon after.  In 1817, the Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Company was incorporated for the purpose of building a turnpike from the causeway at Westchester to the above mentioned bridge, following probably the lane of Sauthier's map.  The first bridge was destroyed by a storm, and the company was authorized by the Legislature of 1816 to sell its property and franchises for a period of forty-five years.  The second bridge was built in 1834 by George Rapelje, with the right to charge tolls for a period of thirty years; but the supervisors of Westchester County purchased the bridge in 1860 and made it free.  The former iron bridge was constructed in 1869-70; but it proved insufficient for the traffic after the automobile arrived, and it was replaced by the present larger bridge, opened by the Department of Bridges on October 15, 1908, at a cost of $517,000.

The bridge has always been famous for the good fishing to be obtained from it and the author remembers having made several trips to it when a very small boy, walking from Mt. Vernon and back with his companions by way of Eastchester and the Split Rock Road.  Bolton gives records of a striped bass weighing sixty-three pounds, being caught on June 3, 1844, of another of fifty pounds, caught by E. Des Brosses Hunter, and of others of twenty and forty-three pounds at various times.  'There were giants in those days!'  Flounders, tom-cod, eels, and fish of all kinds, including an occasional sheepshead, are also mentioned by the same author.  The best time for fishing is in the months of September and October.  The stream was formerly clear, but for many years it has been polluted by the sewage of Mt. Vernon and the outpourings of the gas-works at Eastchester, and the fish are not so plentiful as formerly."

Source:  Jenkins, Stephen, The Story of the Bronx From the Purchase Made by the Dutch from the Indians in 1639 to the Present Day, pp. 317-18 (NY and London:  G.P. Putnam's SonsThe Knickerbocker Press, 1912).

*          *          *          *          *

Below are examples of previous postings that address the histories of the various Pelham Bridges that have spanned Eastchester Bay for the last two centuries.

Thu., Jul. 17, 2014:  Sabotage Brought Down the 70-Ton Draw Span of Pelham Bridge in 1908 and Delayed its Opening

Tue., Jun. 10, 2014: Construction of the Concrete Arch Pelham Bridge.

Mon., May 12, 2014: The March 6, 1812 New York Statute Authorizing Construction of the Pelham Bridge.

Tue., Sep. 22, 2009: Names of Early "Keepers of Pelham Bridge" Appointed by Westchester County.

Thu., Jan. 08, 2009: Another Brief History of The Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Jan. 1, 2009: A Brief History of Pelham Bridge.

Wed., Jan. 2, 2008: New York State Senate Report on Petition by Inhabitants of Westchester to Allow Construction of Toll Bridge Across Eastchester Creek in 1834.

Tue., Aug. 28, 2007: The Laying Out of Pelham Avenue From Fordham to Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Wed., Jul. 4, 2007: 1857 Real Estate Advertisement for Sale of the Pelham Bridge.

Fri., Jul. 22, 2007: 1857 Real Estate Advertisement for Sale of "Country Seat" at Pelham Bridge.

Fri., May 18, 2007: Celebration at Pelham Bridge in 1872.

Wed., May 16, 2007: Board of Supervisors of Westchester County Vote to Build New Iron Bridge to Replace Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Tue., May 15, 2007: The Owner of the Pelham Bridge Hotel Sold it for the Princely Sum of $22,000 in 1869.

Mon., May 14, 2007: Plans to Widen Shore Road in the Town of Pelham in 1869.

Fri., May 11, 2007: A Sad Attempted Suicide at Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Thu., Dec. 08, 2005: The First Stone Bridge Built Across Eastchester Creek in Pelham, 1814-1815.

Thu., Aug. 18, 2005: The Opening of the New Iron "Pelham Bridge" in 1871.

Tue., Aug. 9, 2005: Cock Fighting at Pelham Bridge in the 19th Century.

Thu., Jul. 21, 2005: Today's Remnants of the Bartow Station on the Branch Line Near City Island.

Tue., Jun. 28, 2005: The Hotel and Bar Room at Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Mar. 24, 2005: The Bartow Area of Pelham in the 19th Century: Where Was It?

Wed., Mar. 23, 2005: Prize Fighting at Pelham Bridge in 1884.

For more about the Pelham Bridge and its history, see Pelham Bridge, Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelham_Bridge (visited May 6, 2014).

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Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Is It Possible The First Pelham Bridge Built in About 1815 Was Repaired After Near Destruction by a Storm?


The first Pelham Bridge over the Hutchinson River where it empties into Eastchester Bay was built by about 1815 and was destroyed within its first few years by a major storm.  According to longstanding conventional wisdom, the bridge was not rebuilt until 1834 when George Rapelje built a replacement bridge and received the right to charge tolls on the bridge for thirty years.  Is it possible that the conventional wisdom is wrong?  Is it possible that a replacement bridge or, perhaps, a temporary structure was built on the remnants of the original Pelham Bridge?  Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog will explore this possibility.

Brief History

According to longstanding history of the Pelham Bridge, on March 6, 1812, the New York State Legislature enacted a statute incorporating the "Eastchester Bridge Company" to build a bridge over the Hutchinson River where it empties into Eastchester Bay.  The bridge was built shortly afterward and is believed to have been completed by about 1815.  In 1817, the Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Company was incorporated to construct a turnpike from the causeway at Westchester to the bridge.  That bridge came to be known as "Pelham Bridge" -- the name it bears today.  Even in its first iteration, Pelham Bridge was a draw bridge to permit masted ships to pass. 

On April 12, 1816, the company was authorized by the Legislature to sell its property and toll franchise for a period of forty-five years. Within its first few years, however, the first Pelham Bridge was destroyed by a storm.  The second bridge was built in 1834 by George Rapelje, with the right to charge tolls for a period of thirty years, but the supervisors of Westchester County purchased the bridge in 1860 and made it free.  The bridge was replaced with an iron bridge constructed in 1869-1870.  That bridge, in turn, was replaced by the present larger bridge, opened by the New York City Department of Bridges on October 15, 1908.

When Was the First Pelham Bridge Constructed?

A local real estate advertisement published on March 18, 1815 describes the bridge as "the new bridge lately erected across the mount of East Chester Creek."  (See full advertisement quoted below.)  Thus, it seems certain that the bridge was completed at least by mid-March, 1815.  

The bridge, it seems, was built between June 4, 1814 and March 18, 1815.  This can be deduced from an advertisement published on June 4, 1814 stating:

"EASTCHESTER BRIDGE COMPANY.

PROPOSALS will be received by the Company for the building of a Stone Bridge across Eastchester creek, from the town of Pelham to Throgs-neck, the distance across computed about thirteen hundred feet; any person inclining to contract for the erection thereof are desired to call on Mr. JAMES HARVEY, in the town of Pelham near New-Rochelle, county of Westchester, who will exhibit a survey of the creek, and enter into such other explanations as may be required.

May 13 -- 3w"

Source:  EASTCHESTER BRIDGE COMPANY, New-York Evening Post, Jun. 4, 1814, p. 4, col. 5.  See also  EASTCHESTER BRIDGE COMPANY, New-York Evening Post, Jun. 2, 1814, p. 4, col. 5; East-Chester Bridge Company, Connecticut Courant, May 31, 1814, p. 4, col. 2.  

When was the First Pelham Bridge Destroyed by a Storm and Flood?

Within about a year of the completion of the first Pelham Bridge and perhaps sooner, the new structure was destroyed by "an extraordinary storm and flood."  The destructive storm may have occurred only a few months after the bridge was built.  Indeed, on October 18, 1815, an illuminating advertisement appeared in the New-York Evening Post suggesting that something -- perhaps the storm -- had damaged the piers of the "East-Chester Bridge."  The advertisement stated:

"NOTICE TO DOCK BUILDERS.

PROPOSAL will be received by Mr. James Harvey in the town of Pelham, to repair the damages done to the Piers of the East-Chester Bridge, if made immediately.

Pelham, October 16, 1815.

Oct 17 iw"

Source:  NOTICE TO DOCK BUILDERS, New-York Evening Post, Oct. 18, 1815, p. 3, col. 4.  

Certainly by March 11, 1816, the first Pelham Bridge had been destroyed.  On that date, according to a newspaper report, the New York Assembly was referred a petition described as:

"Petitions referred -- . . . declaratory of an act, entitled an act to incorporate the East Chester bridge company, passed March 6, 1812 -- of Herman Le Roy and others, stockholders in the East Chester bridge Company, praying that a law may be passed, authorising them to make such sales as are therein mentioned, and upon certain conditions, there particulalry specified."

Source:  Legislature of New-York, House of Assembly, Monday, March 11, New York Herald, March 16, 1816, p. 3, col. 2.  

New York State soon passed such a law.  Within a month, on April 12, 1816, it passed "AN ACT for the relief of the President and Directors of the Eastchester Bridge Company and their Creditors" with a preamble that stated, in part, as follows:

"it is represented to the legislature, by the stockholders in the corporation created by the act, entitled 'an act to incorporate the Eastchester bridge company,' that the bridge erected by the said company, over the Eastchester creek, in pursuance of the said act, has been destroyed by an extraordinary storm and flood; That the funds of the company are inadequate to rebuild it; and that the said corporation is moreover largely indebted to the builders and workmen who were employed in its erection."

The statute authorized the President and Directors of the Eastchester Bridge Company to sell at auction "the remains of the said bridge, and all the other property and estate of the said corporation, to the highest bidder or bidders."  It further provided that the purchaser would be "authorized to rebuild the said bridge, in the manner required by the said act, provided the same be completed by the first day of August, in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventeen."

Only one week later, on April 19, 1816, notice appeared in a local newspaper whereby a committee consisting of Pelham residents John Hunter, James Harvey, William Bayard, and Tolbert Roosevelt provided public notice that "all the remains of the bridge lately erected by the said Company across the Eastchester Creek, and all the estate of the Company" would be sold at public auction "at the Tontine Coffee House, in the city of New-York, on Friday the seventh day of June next, at twelve o'clock at noon."  No report of the resullt of the public auction, if it was held, has yet been found.  That said, it certainly seems that the first Pelham Bridge was not rebuilt by August 1, 1817.  There are, however, intriguing suggestions that some form of bridge, temporary or otherwise, may have been built on the site (or on the remnants) within five or six years.

Some Real Estate Advertisements Later Reference a Bridge at the Site

 On March 31, 1821, a real estate advertisement offering the old George Rapalje estate on Pelham Neck for sale made no mention of a bridge across Eastchester Creek.  In contrast, six years earlier when the bridge was first erected and before its destruction by an "extraordinary storm and flood," an advertisement for sale of the same property made much of the "new bridge lately erected across the mount of East Chester Creek."  This certainly suggests -- but certainly does not establish -- that the first Pelham Bridge had not yet been rebuilt.  

Nearly one year later, however, Peter and George Lorillard offered for sale a 105-acre tract in the same area by referencing in their advertisement the Pelham Bridge.  The ad stated:

"Also, 105 acres of land in the town of Pelham, adjoining East Chester Creek, near the bridge; being about 18 or 20 miles from this city."

Was this merely an imprecise reference to the remnants of the first Pelham Bridge that had been destroyed by the storm?  Alternatively, is it possible that a permanent (or even temporary) bridge had been constructed on the remnants or, perhaps, in place of the remnants?

A real estate advertisement apparently offering the same 105-acre tract two years later on February 2, 1824 once again made much of the fact that the tract adjoined "East Chester Creek and Pelham Bridge."  Moreover, the following year on March 5, 1825, a real estate advertisement offering the Lorillard property at Eastchester Bay for sale once again referred specifically to the property as "adjoining East Chester Creek and Pelhams Bridge, bout 16 miles from this city."

Perhaps most intriguing, in 1827, a bridge referenced as the "East Chester Bridge" was offered for lease together with a "Toll House, shed and garden."  Obviously an offer to lease a bridge -- rather than remnants -- strongly suggests the bridge was rebuilt in some fashion, temporarily or otherwise (assuming the reference to "East Chester Bridge" is a reference to the bridge over the Hutchinson River at Eastchester Bay).  See below for quote of entire advertisement with link to source.

Until more dispositive evidence can be uncovered, we can only speculate.  These real estate advertisements published in 1822 and later make specific reference to a "bridge" at the location -- not "remnants" or "remains" of any such bridge.  Rather than simply omitting any such reference at all as seems to have been done when the March 31, 1821 advertisement offering the Rapelje tract was published, the later advertisements contain an express reference to such a "bridge."

Although no person or group seems to have purchased the bridge and the estate of the Eastchester Bridge Company and replaced the bridge by August 1, 1817 as required by the relief statute, it seems at least plausible to speculate that some form of bridge -- temporary or otherwise -- may have been crafted on the remnants of the bridge destroyed be the "extraordinary storm and flood" that occurred in about the first few months of 1816.  

Whether there ever was a bridge at the site -- temporary or otherwise -- in the years shortly after the first Pelham Bridge was destroyed, it is clear that a replacement bridge was built at the site in 1834 by George Rapelje, with the right to charge tolls for a period of thirty years.  Until dispositive evidence is located, we are left to wonder if the bridge built in 1834 was the second -- or third -- bridge on the site.



"Pelham Bridge in 1865 From a sketch by W. J. Wilson"
Source: Jenkins, Stephen, The Story of the Bronx From
the Purchase Made by the Dutch from the Indians in
1639 to the Present Day, Opposite p. 318 (NY and 
London: G.P. Putnam's Sons The Knickerbocker Press,
1912).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.


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Below is the text of a number of items on which today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog is based.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.  

"FARM.

FOR SALE the valuable farm on which the subscriber now lives, (formerly the property of Geo. Rapelye, Esq.) on the manor of Pelham county, Westchester, 15, 1-2 miles from the city of New-York, and adjoining the new bridge lately erected across the mount of East Chester Creek, containing near 200 acres, and is bounded on three sides by the waters of the sound, of which there is a full view, and of all vessels passing up or down.  There is on said farm a large well built dwelling house, and farm house, barn, carriage house, stable, grainery [sic], dairy, smoke house, sheep fold and house, with racks complete for 200 sheep, and other necessary out buildings, three orchards in full bearing, of the best grafted apples, with a great abundance of every other kind of fruit; 50 acres of fresh meadow, a proportion of salt meadow, about 30 acres of wood land, the rest under first rate pasture land, the whole capable of being made excellent meadow, and in quality of soil is surpassed by none in the county.  Attached to which is a large body of sedge.  100 loads of drift stuff may yearly be collected from the shores, the waters of which abound with all kinds of scale and shell fish.  For further particulars apply on the premises.

Feb 2     rf

JAMES HARVEY."

Source:  FARM [Advertisement], New-York Evening Post, Mar. 18, 1815, p. 4, col. 3.

"CHAP. CXXXII.

AN ACT for the relief of the President and Directors of the Eastchester Bridge Company and their Creditors.

Passed April 12, 1816.

Preamble.

WHEREAS it is represented to the legislature, by the stockholders in the corporation created by the act, entitled 'an act to incorporate the Eastchester bridge company,' that the bridge erected by the said company, over the Eastchester creek, in pursuance of the said act, has been destroyed by an extraordinary storm and flood; That the funds of the company are inadequate to rebuild it; and that the said corporation is moreover largely indebted to the builders and workmen who were employed in its erection, and praying legislative aid and relief in the premises; Therefore,

Remains of the bridge may be sold

I.  BE it enacted by the people of the State of New-York represented in Senate and Assembly, That it shall and may be lawful for the president and directors of the said company, to sell, at public auction, in the city of New-York, all the remains of the said bridge, and all the other property and estate of the said corporation, to the highest bidder or bidders, and thereupon to grant and convey the same to the purchaser or purchasers thereof; Provided, that six weeks notice of the time and place of such sale be given in the nearest newspaper printed in the county of Westchester, and also in two of the public newspapers printed in the city of New-York.

Avails to be applied to the company's debts.

II.  And be it further enacted, That such conveyance being duly acknowledged or proved, shall be recorded in the clerk's office of the county of Westchester; and that the monies arising from such sale, after paying all incidental expenses attending the same, shall be applied in the first place to the payment of the debts of the said corporation, and that the residue and surplus of the said monies, shall be divided and paid to and among all the stockholders in the said company, in proportion to the number of shares which they may respectively hold therein.

The purchasers may rebuild the bridge.

III.  And be it further enacted, That the purchaser or purchasers at such sale, and his or their assigns or associates, shall be and hereby are authorized to rebuild the said bridge, in the manner required by the said act, provided the same be completed by the first day of August, in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventeen; and in case the same shall be so completed by that day, then the said purchaser or purchasers, his or their assigns and associates, shall thereafter be considered as the stockholders of the said company, in proportion to the sums they shall respectively pay and advance towards the said purchase, and the rebuilding of the said bridge an other necessary objects:

And be a body corporate for 45 years.

And they and their successors shall be and continue a body corporate and politic, by the name, and with all the powers, privileges and immunities mentioned in the said act, and in the act to amend the same, for and during the term of forty-five years from the passing of this act, and no longer, any thing in the said acts, or either of them, contained, to the contrary notwithstanding:  Provided always,

This act not to prevent prosecution against the former company.

IV.  And be it further enacted, That nothing in this act contained shall be construed to bar or prevent any public prosecution, or any action or actions, which any person or persons would have if this act had not been passed against the said president and directors, or against all or any of the stockholders of the said company, or against any person or persons who is, are or have been in their employ, or to prevent the abating of any nuisance."

Source:  "CHAP. CXXXII:  AN ACT for the relief of the President and Directors of the Eastchester Bridge Company and their Creditors" in Laws of the State of New-York, Passed at the Thirty-Ninth, Fortieth and Forty-First Sessions of the Legislature From January 1816 to April 1818, Vol. IV, pp. 149-50 (Passed April 12, 1816) (Albany, NY:  William Gould, and David Banks and Stephen Gould, 1818).

"NOTICE.

THE subscribers being a Committee, appointed for that purpose by the President and Directors of the Eastchester Bridge Company, hereby give notice, that in pursuance of an act of the legislature of this state, passed on the 12th day of April instant, entitled 'An Act for the relief of the President and Directors of the Eastchester Bridge Company and their creditors,' all the remains of the bridge lately erected by the said Company across the Eastchester Creek, and all the estate of the Company, will be exposed to sale at the public auction, at the Tontine Coffee House, in the city of New-York, on Friday the seventh day of June next, at twelve o'clock at noon.

The purchaser or purchasers at such sale, will be entitled to all the privileges and immunities heretofore granted by law to the said Company, for the term of 45 years from the 12th instant, on condition that the bridge is rebuilt by the 1st day of August, 1817.  -- By order of the Board of Directors of the Eastchester Bridge Company.

JOHN HUNTER,             )
JAMES HARVEY,            }     Committee
WM. BAYARD,                 )
TOLBERT ROOSEVELT, )

Pelham, April 19, 1816.           ap 22law6w"

Source:  NOTICE, New-York Evening Post, May 18, 1816, p. 4, col. 2.  See also NOTICE, The Evening Post, May 9, 1816, p. 1, col. 4 (same text).  

"Beautiful Country Residence

TO LET, (and immediate possession given,) the country seat of George Rapelje, Esq. in the Manor of Pelham, Westchester county, about 17 miles from the city of New York; containing about 65 acres in a good state of improvement, with a commodious mansion and suitable out houses, garden, orchard, &c.  The premises being bounded on three sides by the waters of the Sound, can scarcely be excelled for combining beauty of prospect with ample facilities for fishing and fowling.  Part of the furniture of the house will be let if required.  Enquire at 234 Broadway.

Mb 29 tf"

Source:  Beautiful Country Residence [Advertisement], New-York Evening Post, Mar. 31, 1821, p. 3, col. 4.  

"ABOUT 280 ACRES OF LAND.

A valuable farm for sale, situated at the 14 mile stone, which is divided by the Boston Post Road, in the town of West Chester, containing a Farm House, and other out houses, all enclosed with good stone wall.  The land is well calculated for a grazing farm.

Also, 105 acres of land in the town of Pelham, adjoining East Chester Creek, near the bridge; being about 18 or 20 miles from this city.  For particulars, apply at No. 42 Chatham street.

PETER & GEORGE LORILLARD.

Jan 25 1m"

Source:  ABOUT 280 ACRES OF LAND [Advertisement], New-York Evening Post, Feb. 8, 1822, p. 4, col. 2.

"FOR SALE. . . . 

1 farm at Pelham, adjoining East Chester Creek and Pelham Bridge, about 15 miles from this city, containing 15 acres, occupied by C. Valentine. . . ."

Source:  FOR SALE [Advertisement], New-York Evening Post, Feb. 2, 1824, p. 4, col. 1.  

"--FOR SALE--
* * *
One hundred and fifty acres of Land in the town of Pelham, adjoining the East Chester Creek and Pelhams Bridge, about 16 miles from this city. . . 

GEORGE LORILLARD."

Source:  --FOR SALE--, New-York Evening Post, Mar. 5, 1825, p. 4, col. 1.  

"TO LET,

The East Chester Bridge, with the Toll House, shed and garden, to a small family, that would be willing to accommodate a number of Boarders for the ensuing year.  It is viewed as one of the best stands for a tavern in that neighborhood.  Possession will be given immediately.  For further particulars, apply to THOMAS C. TAYLOR, 41 Robinson st. or at his house, Bowery Hill.

m26 tf"

Source:  TO LET, The New-York Evening Post, Mar. 27, 1827, p. 3, col. 5.

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Below are examples of previous postings that address the histories of the various Pelham Bridges that have spanned Eastchester Bay for the last two centuries.

Wed., Oct. 1, 2014:  Bridge Keepers of the Pelham Bridge from 1870 to 1872.

Mon., Jul. 21, 2014:  Image of the Second Pelham Bridge Built in 1834 From a Sketch Created in 1865.

Thu., Jul. 17, 2014:  Sabotage Brought Down the 70-Ton Draw Span of Pelham Bridge in 1908 and Delayed its Opening

Tue., Jun. 10, 2014: Construction of the Concrete Arch Pelham Bridge.

Mon., May 12, 2014: The March 6, 1812 New York Statute Authorizing Construction of the Pelham Bridge.

Tue., Sep. 22, 2009: Names of Early "Keepers of Pelham Bridge" Appointed by Westchester County.

Thu., Jan. 08, 2009: Another Brief History of The Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Jan. 1, 2009: A Brief History of Pelham Bridge.

Wed., Jan. 2, 2008: New York State Senate Report on Petition by Inhabitants of Westchester to Allow Construction of Toll Bridge Across Eastchester Creek in 1834.

Tue., Aug. 28, 2007: The Laying Out of Pelham Avenue From Fordham to Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Wed., Jul. 4, 2007: 1857 Real Estate Advertisement for Sale of the Pelham Bridge.

Fri., Jul. 22, 2007: 1857 Real Estate Advertisement for Sale of "Country Seat" at Pelham Bridge.

Fri., May 18, 2007: Celebration at Pelham Bridge in 1872.

Wed., May 16, 2007: Board of Supervisors of Westchester County Vote to Build New Iron Bridge to Replace Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Tue., May 15, 2007: The Owner of the Pelham Bridge Hotel Sold it for the Princely Sum of $22,000 in 1869.

Mon., May 14, 2007: Plans to Widen Shore Road in the Town of Pelham in 1869.

Fri., May 11, 2007: A Sad Attempted Suicide at Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Thu., Dec. 08, 2005: The First Stone Bridge Built Across Eastchester Creek in Pelham, 1814-1815.

Thu., Aug. 18, 2005: The Opening of the New Iron "Pelham Bridge" in 1871.

Tue., Aug. 9, 2005: Cock Fighting at Pelham Bridge in the 19th Century.

Thu., Jul. 21, 2005: Today's Remnants of the Bartow Station on the Branch Line Near City Island.

Tue., Jun. 28, 2005: The Hotel and Bar Room at Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Mar. 24, 2005: The Bartow Area of Pelham in the 19th Century: Where Was It?

Wed., Mar. 23, 2005: Prize Fighting at Pelham Bridge in 1884.

For more about the Pelham Bridge and its history, see Pelham Bridge, Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelham_Bridge (visited May 6, 2014).

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