A postcard of the Park Hill Inn, a Yonkers hotel redesigned from the old Getty Homestead
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, May 8th
May 8, 1945: Yonkers learned a Yonkers guy was responsible for the Headquarters Company of the 75th Division in Germany eating three times a day on clean tablecloths! PFC Joseph Danisher of Clinton Street, former Smith Carpet Factory employee, believed GIs would appreciate Army Food more if served in a homey environment. Danisher made it his business to wash tablecloths and put them on the tables every meal.
\ May 8, 1954: Thruway construction by the Saw Mill River dumped 50 gallons of muddy water into the river hourly, polluting Yonkers water supply system. This forced closure of the Tube Wells filtration station on Saw Mill River Road; it couldn’t handle the huge increase of contamination. City Manager Charles Curran sent a telegram to Thruway Authority Chairman Tallamy, demanding “immediate steps to alleviate this condition.” Yonkers had to purchase water from NYC to the tune of $1000 daily, and Curran stated the situation would worsen as construction proceeded.
Tuesday, May 9th
May 9, 1929: DA Frank Coyne avoided the question whether the boday of Dorothy Peacox’s would be exhumed to determine if she was before being murdered.
May 9, 1945: Steve Shiani, Honolulu Advertiser columnist, featured Yonkers’ Captain Sol Friedman in an article. Friedman was Claims Officer, Special Service Officer, Public Relations Officer, and Legal Advisor at the Jungle Training Center, where troops received final training for Pacific warfare. On top of that, Friedman organized top entertainment such as Bob Hope and Carole Landis for the 250,000+ men serving in the area. With all Friedman did, Shiani felt our Yonkers guy should be triplets!
Wednesday, May 10th
May 10, 1904: The American Real Estate Company began remodeling the old Getty homestead on South Broadway into a hotel. The building, to be called the Park Hill Inn, would have two three-story extensions, and was expected to open in four months.
May 10, 1954: City Manager Charles Curran asked the Thruway Authority to reimburse Yonkers for the cost of buying water from New York City, since their construction caused the problem with our water supply. Curran said, “I cannot impress upon you the severity of the health hazard… an immediate and positive solution (must) be found for this problem” causing pollution and increased turbidity in the Saw Mill River.
At a conference with the contractor, Thruway Authority and local officials, Curran was told there was no solution; it would continue for two to three years. Curran demanded immediate action and a definitive written agreement remediating the situation.
Thursday, May 11th
May 11, 1929: Sydney Syme, attorney for accused murderer Earle Peacox, claimed Peacox was beaten and “third-degreed” into confessing after nine hours of questioning. Both the prosecution and the defense wanted the trial delayed until the Fall.
May 11, 1954: C. H. Lang of the Albany office of the State Thruway Authority sent a letter assuring City Manager Curran it was investigating his complaint and would cooperate in alleviating the condition. BUT. He said there was no way to stop mud and clay from washing into the river, and the situation would continue throughout construction. Even worse, it further would be complicated by a contractor moving the river from Tarrytown to Tuckahoe Road section to a new channel 50 feet west.
Friday, May 12th
May 12, 1961: City Clerk William Gray of Glenwood Gardens turned in his resignation, effective immediately. His two-sentence resignation stated: “Owing to ill health, I find it impossible to physically carry on the duties of the office of City Clerk of the City of Yonkers NY. Therefore, on the advice of my physician, I hereby tender my resignation effective immediately.” He was in the position for more than nine years.
A transcript of his testimony before the State Investigation Commission probing bingo operations in Yonkers and New York City had arrived in City Hall that afternoon; his resignation stopped a Common Council inquiry into his testimony scheduled for the next day.
Saturday, May 13th:
May 13, 1922: Against a background of golden draperies in the Grecian theater at Greystone, Minnie and Samuel Untermyer’s guests enjoyed an afternoon performance of Mozart’s comic opera “The Impresario,” performed by the Society of American Singers. Percy Hemus, bass soloist at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, sang the lead part of the Impresario, and was interrupted several times by bursts of applause. The performance had a surprise performer, a bird perched in one of the trees near the theater; inspired by Franko’s orchestra, the feathered singer joined with the soprano hitting the highest notes.
May 13, 1944: Private Grace Hill of Lamartine Terrace landed in Sydney, Australia, part of a large unit of WACs; the women arrived to relieve men to serve in the front lines. They disembarked from a transport, dressed in trench coats and steel helmets with packs on their backs; greeted by Brigadier General Thomas Rilea, American officers presented each woman a bouquet of flowers with the inscription, “Welcome Wacs.”
Sunday, May 1
May 14, 1926: Mrs. Emmons Bryant, president of the Big Sister Organization, asked Mayor Walsh to appoint a policewoman to the Yonkers Police Department. She wanted the policewoman to investigate “dance halls, theater and parks” in Yonkers.
May 14, 1946: Coronet Magazine published a story about the Yonkers man responsible for making Hoagy Carmichael’s classic song “Star Dust” a success! According to the story, its sheet music languished in music publisher Jack Mills’ collection until Jimmy Dale of Kimball Terrace, an arranger for Mills, found it in 1929 and gave it a new tempo. This turned the song into a hit!
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.
