An early 20th century photo of the Nodine Hill Water Tower
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, December 11th
December 11, 1939: Theresa Hudak of Prescott Street filed a lawsuit after the Nodine Hill Water Tower collapse. Mrs. Hudak’s suit contended she suffered both concussion and body bruising after a boulder crashed through the wall of her home and hit her! Yonkers awarded her son Joseph damages six months earlier for injuries he suffered during the disaster.
December 11, 1943: Yonkers Police began surveying streets near the Habirshaw Cable and Wire Corporation’s Point Street plant to solve the neighborhood parking issues caused by plant workers. Round-the clock shifts of workers park their cars on both sides of the street, leaving narrow lanes for drivers; residents feared emergency vehicles would not be able to navigate narrow roads created by the plant parking.
Tuesday, December 12th
December 12, 1926: Disregarding the threat against his life, Public Safety Commissioner William Cameron raided two more speakeasies in South Yonkers to continue his campaign against gambling and illegal taverns.
December 12, 1926: Once a magnificent Yonkers home, the three-story Waring Mansion on South Broadway was sold at auction. One of 16 remaining frame buildings on South Broadway, it was built by Dr. Robert Baird and was to be demolished within a few months.
December 12, 1931: The contents of the Hollywood Inn were sold at a public auction, with Arthur I. Miller as auctioneer. Bidding for most items were very “spirited.”
Wednesday, December 13th
December 13, 1941: Honoring the request of US Army officials, City Manager Raymond Whitney banned the use of sirens by hospital ambulances and Police and Fire Department vehicles. The sirens only could be used for air raid warnings.
December 13, 1944: Alexander Smith and Sons Carpet Company became the first to adopt television as an advertising tool for it company with the premiere of “The Magic Carpet” to be aired every other Wednesday at 8:30 pm on Station WABC. Although the company acknowledged pioneering TV as an advertising medium was chancy, because of the limited audience. The program would take people who liked to travel, but couldn’t because of wartime restrictions, to visit through travel films, interesting places around the world.
Thursday, December 14th
December 14, 1939: Although City Hall received state actuary George Buck’s report on Yonkers Police and Fire Pension Funds ordered by the Common Council, Corporation Counsel Harold Garrity refused to release it, even to City Clerk Francis Heafy, without explicit permission from Mayor Loehr.
December 14, 1939: The Yonkers Board of Ed’s Executive Committee recommended immediate suspension of Deputy Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Alfred Corbin; fraud was allegedly “perpetrated in installation of new heating equipment at School Five on Lockwood Avenue.” The Board’s Committee on Buildings and Grounds was directed to investigate the issue and hold a trial on the charges; the Board wanted to hire an outside, “disinterested heating engineer of the highest integrity” to conduct an independent investigation to protect taxpayers. A separate inquiry was in process by the Westchester District Attorney’s office.
Friday, December 15th
December 15, 1939: The photographic memory of Patrolman Charles Dellacato led to a South Yonkers manhunt, a police chase of a trolley, and capture of the suspect in a White Plains murder! The suspect had asked Dellacato directions to the subway at 1 am. A short time later, Officer Dellacato received a description of the wanted man and realized this was the man he just spoke to! He immediately contacted headquarters; they notified NYPD. The search was on! The two departments searched South Yonkers streets and Van Cortlandt Park Woods. The suspected murderer was arrested a short time later walking up the steps of the Van Cortlandt train station.
December 15,1950: Cuban Ambassador Dr. Luis Machado awarded Commandership in the Order of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes to Colonel Christopher Moran of Langdon Terrace, in recognition of his “outstanding services in furtherance of inter-American good will and solidarity in peace and war.” Moran was Director of the Historical Society of the New World; he stated friendship between the US and Latin America was increasingly important. Moran, a Knight of Malta and Commander of the Italian Royal Order of St. Maurice and Lazarus, was active in the NY National Guard. He had received the Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre with Palm from France.
Saturday, December 16th
December 16, 1917: The Peoples Savings Bank of the Town of Yonkers received authorization to legally change its corporate name to Peoples Savings Bank of Yonkers. At the time of its original incorporation in 1866, Yonkers had yet not been designated a city; that happened in 1872.
December 16,1942: Yonkers’ Common Council unanimously passed legislation proposed by Council Edith Welty to allow, under stringent conditions, to admit children between eight and fifteen years old to attend movies without an adult!
A theater had to be licensed by the City Manager and have a separate section on the main floor only for unchaperoned children; this section had to be closest to exits without obstructions. Children could not be admitted during school hours, and the theater had to have a matron to watch over the children.
Sunday, December 17th
December 17, 1931: Yonkers announced it would use electric lights on the Christmas trees in our city parks; Superintendent of Parks Louis Milliot announced it would cost approximately $650.
December 17, 1958: Commerce High School on North Broadway received a bomb scare! The school office got the call; the caller said, “There’s a bomb in the building,” and hung up immediately. Police and YPS officials immediately were notified, and Principal William Gawchik called a school wide assembly while the building was exhaustively searched. No bomb found!
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.
