Mary Hoar, President Untermyer Performing Arts Council, Member Landmarks Preservation Board, President Emerita, Yonkers Historical Society and recipient of the 2004 Key to History
Monday, September 21st:
September 21, 1944: Kingston Avenue’s Lieutenant Douglas Mulcahy’s actions in battle this day were so outstanding, he was awarded a Silver Star. According to the Silver Star Award Citation, it was presented “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Fighter Plane…in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, September 21, 1944. Encountering a formation of five enemy planes, he attacked fearlessly and with deadly accuracy to shoot down three of them without damaging his own plane. Flying his own plane with skill and courage, he damaged and drove another enemy off the tail of one of our planes and assisted in shooting down a fifth hostile plane. His expert airmanship, inspiring leadership and conscientious devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
September 21, 1947: After Cook Post of the American Legion withdrew from a county bowling tournament that excluded African American veterans, refusing to be a part of any “anti-Negro” discrimination, two Yonkers clergymen saluted them in their Sunday sermons, Reverend David Sheldon and Reverend H. Otheman Smith.
Tuesday, September 22nd Celine Baekeland
September 22, 1918: Celine Baekeland, wife of innovative inventor Dr. Leo Baekeland and Chairman of the Americanization Committee of the Woman’s Council, announced the entire week would be celebrated as Americanization Week, dedicated to activities helping immigrants. Born in Belgium, and her husband were immigrants!
September 22, 1949: The Yonkers Chamber of Commerce received a letter from eleven-year old Suzy Agnew of Corpus Christi, Texas, asking for some “Yonkers dirt!” Suzy generously enclosed some Texas soil in her letter, saying she collected dirt from each state in the Union, and asked, “Will you please send me some dirt from your wonderful state?”
Wednesday, September 23rd
September 23, 1907: The Yonkers Board of Education resolution to establish a State Normal School in Yonkers was adopted by the Common Council. Schools Superintendent Charles Gorton asserted it “not only would be a great advantage to the city, but also to all who desiring to prepare for the work of teachers.” Established at School 18, the first class of the Yonkers Training School for Teachers two-year course graduated in 1911.
September 23, 1908: While swearing in twenty-three men from seven volunteer fire companies, Public Safety Commissioner Hermance predicted Yonkers volunteer fire companies would “go out of existence” in just a few years.
September 23, 1927: More than 100 people in cars and on foot searched Yonkers for four missing boys. After a seven-hour search, the boys were found asleep in the Monastery of the Sacred Heart on Shonnard Place, just a few hundred feet from their homes.
Thursday, September 24th
September 24, 1935: A Canadian farmer came to Yonkers to find his fortune in America. He did very well, and wrote a lovely letter to his family to tell them Yonkers people were very kind, and the city was nice and quiet. He then tried to mail his letter in a fire alarm box, and immediately was arrested.
September 24, 1943: The Herald Statesman received another letter from a serviceman. PFC Raymond Vallely, serving someplace in Europe with the US Army, sat down to eat shortly after the Allies had taken Sicily. The meal came with “lump sugar,” wrapped nicely in paper. He was surprised to read the printing on the paper to find “Golden Glow, Yonkers N.Y.” The Golden Glow was a South Broadway restaurant!
Friday, September 25th
September 25, 1933: After getting many complaints about “unbearable noise” coming from the Hudson River, the Shonnard Place Station sent Patrolman William Kolb out to investigate. He found Herbert St. Laurent of Hastings racing his boat off Greystone Yacht Club. St. Laurent told the officer the boat did not have a muffler, so he could not stop the noise, then told Kolb he was practicing for an
upcoming race. Kolb told him of all the complaints, and strongly suggested he move to another part of the river. St. Laurent did.
September 25, 1940: Yonkers Public School Superintendent Ankenbrand proposed using 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.
Saturday, September 26th
September 26, 1919: A mass meeting of Yonkers residents to discuss the United States’ position in the League of Nations was held in the Philipsburgh Hall. Discussing the various pros and cons were Homer Folks, Frank E. Xavier, Dr. Elmer A. Sheets and Ralph E. Prime, Jr.
September 26, 1926: Yonkers Electric Light and Power Company announced it would put all wires around the new Plaza underground at a cost of $200,000. When questioned on the high cost, the company answered the work included the heavy-duty power supply cables Otis Elevator needed.
September 26, 1942: Selected churches and public buildings in Getty Square area were designated as “shelters” for any people caught in the area during an alert or blackout.
Sunday, September 27th
September 27, 1942: Former Yonkers resident Constance Bennett and actor Bruce Cabot promoted the sale of war bonds at a Larkin Plaza rally attended by more than 10,000 people. The total sold that day was $134,450.
September 27, 1943: After reviewing the records of the Civil Service Commission at City Hall, Yonkers announced one hundred fifty-eight city employees had asked for leaves of absence for military service in the war. Of the one hundred fifty-eight, four were women; DPW topped the list, with 46 men in the service. The Police Department came in second with 32 people serving, and the Fire Department was third with 27 in the armed forces. Ten other city workers served, but were discharged. Two other men had been on the city payroll but were not listed in any department. Former Councilman Al Richter who was serving as Chief Warrant Officer in the Naval Reserve, and William Arthur, a former member of the Examining Board of Plumbers, who also was in the Navy.
For more information on the Yonkers Historical Society, Sherwood House and our upcoming events, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/YonkersHistoricalSociety. For information on membership in the Yonkers Historical Society, please call 914-961-8940 or email yhsociety@aol.com.
