Tuskegee Airman Lee Archer from Yonkers
By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Historian, President Emerita Yonkers Historical Society, recipient of the 2004 Key to History, Member of the Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board, and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, September 4th
September 4, 1940: The Yonkers Board of Education approved a $65,297 budget for the Fall term of the Yonkers Defense School, which opened two days earlier at Saunders Trades School. The budget had been submitted to the NYS Department of Education two weeks earlier and immediately approved. Two teachers, Albert Kelly and Harold Hardy, were granted four-month leaves of absence to assist with the defense program.
September 4, 1940: Despite the many reports circulating that the carpet shop was manufacturing canvas for US Army tents, Harold Zulauf, General Superintendent of Alexander Smith & Sons Carpet Company, firmly denied it, stating the company was only manufacturing “carpets and rugs and nothing else.”
Tuesday, September 5th
September 5, 1926: The Yonkers Electric Light and Power Company began raising lampposts throughout Yonkers to prevent any more trucks breaking the globes of our streetlights.
September 5, 1927: Corporation Counsel Arthur Hume asked the city to change its policy when building code violations are discovered; instead of issuing a summons, Hume wanted injunctions issued. Numerous violations were just discovered in another newly built apartment house on Caryl Avenue.
Wednesday, September 6th
September 6, 1919: Future Tuskegee Airman Lee Archer, Jr., was born to May and Lee Archer Sr., at their home on Woodworth Avenue. During his years in Yonkers, one of Archer’s favorite pastimes was reading comic books on World War I flyers! His family moved to New York City, Archer attended New York schools and then NYU. After joining the Army Air Corps and the Tuskegee program, Archer flew 169 missions over 11 countries in “Ina The Macon Belle,” his red tail P51 Mustang he named for his girlfriend and later wife, Ina Burdell. After retirement from the military in 1970, he joined General Foods, rising to Vice President and chief executive of three of the company’s investment companies.
September 6, 1975: Eighteen-year-old Roosevelt High School graduate Tawny Elaine Godin was crowned Miss America 1976! She attended Skidmore College where she won the local title of Miss Saratoga Springs, later winning Miss New York State. After her reign as Miss America, Tawny went on to become a reporter and news anchor, working on popular programs, including “AM Los Angeles,” “Hollywood Close-up” and “Eye on LA.”
Thursday, September 7th
September 7, 1924: The B. F. Keith Vaudeville Exchange, drawn by her beauty and spirit, gave Miss Yonkers of 1924 Florence Kreisler a contract to appear in a vaudeville show with Miss America of 1924, Ruth Malcomson.
September 7, 1943: Yonkers’ Community and War Chest announced its new slogan and song, “All For One and One For All,” would be used at all its rallies and events. Our local Chest contacted Gracie Fields of radio fame, who used the song as the theme of her show, got permission from her and its publishers to use the song!
Friday, September 8th
September 8, 1942: Yonkers had its first surprise blackout. Called by Brigadier General Thomas Darrah, Deputy Civilian Defense Director for the metropolitan area, the test began at 9:08 and ended with the all-clear signal at 9:35. Although totally unexpected, Yonkers’ response was deemed one of the best in the organization’s history. When the air raid warning sirens sounded 4,847 volunteers responded! Hospital staff members, Auxiliary Police officers, demolition crews, first aiders and air wardens rushed to the two simulated bombing sites, one on Bedford Place and the other in Crestwood. Every off duty or vacationing fire fighter in Yonkers rushed to their firehouses. Darrah cruised Yonkers during the blackout in a radio car and said he was “more than satisfied;” his aide, Colonel Peter Malesvsky observed Yonkers from the top of the Health Center and declared “everything functioned perfectly.”
September 8, 1943: The Yonkers Patrol Service of the US Coast Guard Reserve Auxiliary, working from Ludlow for two years, was suspended by the Coast Guard district office. The Coast Guard had obtained enough boats for regular patrol and did not need the hundreds of private yachts and boats painted battleship gray and wearing Coast Guard numbers. Our privately owned boats had seen active duty, with owners and crew serving as uniformed Coast Guardsmen. Many of these men entered the Coast Guard Reserve to continue regular Coast Guard patrols.
Saturday, September 9th
September 9, 1785: More than 300 acres of Philipse Manor, including the Manor Hall, were sold to Cornelius Low. The Philipse family lost the estate because they supported the British during the American Revolution.
September 9, 1943: The defunct First National Bank and Trust Company of Yonkers finally wound up its affairs when all remaining assets were sold at a public auction. Assets totaling more than $650,000 were sold to Fred Ehnes for $8300. By order from Washington, a separate auction for 20,000 shares of United Piece Dye Works was sold to Fred Straus for $6300. The bank had closed its doors during the National Bank Holiday March 15, 1933, and never reopened.
Sunday, September 10th
September 10, 1911: School Superintendent Charles Gorton appointed eighteen of the first Yonkers Training School for Teachers graduates to positions as teachers in local schools. The remaining thirteen teachers were hired as vacancies occurred.
September 10, 1935: David Hutchison, the artist who painted the Ivanhoe mural in the Children’s Room at the Yonkers Public Library, revealed the subject of his second mural, Native Americans on top of the Palisades watching the Half Moon sail up the Hudson past Yonkers. Although there was no funding for the second one, he volunteered to continue the work if the library gave him a model and the cost of his materials.
Questions or comments? Email YonkersHistory1646@gmail.com.
For information on the Yonkers Historical Society, Sherwood House and upcoming events, please visit our website www.yonkershistoricalsociety.org, call 914-961-8940 or email info@yonkershistoricalsociety.org.
