An early twentieth century postcard view of St. Joseph’s Seminary
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, Chair of Revolutionary Yonkers 250 and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, September 23rd
September 23, 1926: The Yonkers Electric Light and Power Company announced it would spend $200,000 to put all wires leading to the new Plaza development underground.
September 23, 1940: Councilman Edith Welty revealed an “anonymous effort” to convince her to sponsor a law licensing Yonkers pinball machine. Someone had sent her eight or nine newspaper and magazine clippings, which she interpreted as an effort to persuade her of the benefits, so she gave the clippings to City Manager Whitney. Whitney, who believed if Yonkers had any, they should be licensed and controlled, spoke to Police Chief Quirk. Quirk told the City Manager Yonkers had no pinball machines in Yonkers, and he was against licensing them because it would promote gambling.
September 23, 1946: To help alleviate the nursing shortage, Yonkers General Hospital began its hospital service assistance training program; twelve women were trained to perform non-professional duties so graduate nurses could devote more of their time to professional duties. The course was three weeks or 144 hours.
Tuesday, September 24th
September 24, 1924: About 300 people, many prominent in the scientific community, attended the formal dedication of Boyce Thompson Institute. Speeches were given by Prof. John Coulter of the University of Chicago, Prof. Louis Jones of the University of Wisconsin and Institute Director Dr. William Crocker. Prof. Vernon Blackman of the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London gave “Botanical Greetings from Europe.”
One of the afternoon’s highlights was the reading of a letter from President Coolidge to Col William Thompson. The letter stated, “This is to express my appreciation for the pioneer work you are doing through the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research. The scientific mastery of plant life will strengthen that base of material welfare, agriculture. This is the new pioneering in the American advance.”
Wednesday, September 25th
September 25, 1904: More than 200 men drove piles into the Hudson River at the foot of Glenwood Avenue for the foundation of the Central-Hudson Railroad Company. The building will be 269 feet wide and 300 feet long. Within that s pace will be driven more than 7000 piles and around these will be placed sheet piling. The foundation alone will cost more than $400,000.
September 25, 1914: Carl Wiederhold, Sr., a pioneer resident and glue manufacturer passed away at his home at 132 Linden Street at the age of 85. It was feared he took his recipe for making his excellent glue to his grave.
September 25, 1940: Yonkers Public School Superintendent Ankenbrand proposed the use of School Ten on Clinton Street for Yonkers new aviation mechanics’ school as the quickest and most efficient means of launching the defense program in Yonkers.
Thursday, September 26th
September 26, 1932: Another truckload of Yonkers beer was stopped by police; the truck they stopped had the name of a chain store on it, and had 100 barrels of “good stuff,” estimated to be worth $1,800. The driver was held in $1000 bail, and was a Yonkers man.
September 26, 1942: A local regulation prevented Yonkers placing its order for materials needed for the Preflight Aviation Training program for high school students. A Board of Ed ruling required the money actually be received and “in the bank” before it could place the order.
Friday, September 27th
September 27, 1919: Chairman of the Republican National Committee Will R. Hays stopped by Yonkers Republican Headquarters while he was visiting at the North Broadway estate of Colonel William Boyce Thompson.
September 27, 1939: Mrs. Walter Tinney and her sons Harry (11) and William (7) of Prescott Street arrived home after surviving the September 1st torpedoing and sinking of their ship Athenia by German submarine U-30. An unarmed passenger ship, it was the first UK ship sunk by Germany in World War II and had a loss of 117 passengers and crewmembers. Several ships responded to the Athenia’s distress signal, including the US Line’s Orizaba, the ship that brought the Tinney family home.
Saturday, September 28th
September 28, 1891: September 28, 1891: John Copcutt filed lawsuits against the City of Yonkers and the Alexander Smith & Sons’ Carpet Company for allegedly fouling the Nepperhan River. Mr. Copcutt purchased a tract of land that included the lower waterfalls where the Nepperhan River empties into the Hudson and built upon it mills and stores. In 1854, he made two large purchases of woodland and also built his fine residence on Nepperhan Avenue. He erected several substantial factories and small cottages rented to the mill hands. Copcutt (1805-1895) was a prominent industrialist and contributed significantly to the development of Yonkers.
September 28, 1951: The Getty Square Area Merchants Association ended their two-week shopping adventure with a visit from the Rheingold girls! The six women, all vying for the title of Miss Rheingold 1960 arrived in the Getty Square Parking Area about 9:30 pm and were met by city officials and civic leaders. Gifts donated by the members of the merchant’s group were distributed from special treasure chests created for the occasion.
Sunday, September 29th
September 29, 1921: Archbishop Farley presided at the silver jubilee of St. Joseph’s Seminary and College in Dunwoodie. Many graduates returned for the ceremonies and celebration. While here in Yonkers, he also laid the cornerstone for the new Knights of Columbus building at South Broadway and St. Mary Street.
September 29, 1931: Mayor John Fogarty, who had chosen not to run for reelection, announced the 1932 city budget would not be finalized until after the election to allow the newly chosen chief executive to participate in the deliberations. He promised all needed figures would be ready by the first of November.
Questions or comments on this column? 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
