Photo of a young Joseph Warren Stillwell of Yonkers, later to become General “Vinegar Joe” Stillwell
By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Historian, President Emeritus Yonkers Historical Society, recipient of the 2004 Key to History, Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board Member, Revolutionary Yonkers 250 Chair and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, June 9th
June 9, 1903: The Board of Health took strong action to rectify unsanitary conditions in Yonkers. It ordered all residents in the frame houses on Engine Street to move at once due to the unhealthy environment existing in these buildings. All of the houses were to remain vacant until modern plumbing was installed.
June 9, 1903: Martin Mulrooney, President of the Board of Health issued a warrant commanding Police Captain Woodruff to take measures to suppress the “nuisance” caused by the filthy condition of the brook at McLean and Wakefield Avenues.
June 9, 1932: Residents of Park Hill put Yonkers on notice the Park Hill Residents Association would resort to court action to demand lower property assessments if the city allowed the Park Hill elevator to shut down.
Tuesday, June 10th
June 10, 1931: June 10, 1922: The Yonkers High School Freshman Baseball Team outplayed the YHS Varsity in every aspect of the game, embarrassing the older team. The varsity team appeared in full strength, lead by Captain and catcher Cunningham with Rugh pitching. The pitcher for the freshman was Harry Beamish with Tommy Hoar catching. Beamish later played in the Brooklyn Dodger’s system. Hoar turned down an offer from the Yankees.
June 10, 1945: Because the military needs for nurses were met, the Yonkers Chapter of the American Red Cross turned its efforts to staffing local civilian hospitals with nurses! Marion Jacobs, Chairman, said the “hospitals were in desperate need of nurses… every nurse who can give even a little time” should contact either the Red Cross or the preferred hospital of choice. Yonkers Red Cross facilitated 92 nurses entering military service, nurses who “willingly responded to the military requests.” Fortunately, according to Jacobs, local hospital directors realized “miliary needs came first even though civilian nurses and hospitals were greatly overworked.”
Wednesday, June 11th
June 11, 1907: The German Odd Fellows paid $41,000 for the Tuckahoe Road estate of Yonkers’ first Mayor James Courter to use as a residence for old people. Courter had died a few months earlier.
June 11, 1938: Students who failed classes or wanted to earn extra credits at Yonkers Summer School were out of luck; Schools Superintendent William Ankenbrand announced there was no money to fund the program and students would have to travel to White Plains, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle or Dobbs Ferry.
June 11, 1950: While chasing a speeder on Central Park Avenue, motorcycle Patrolman Eugene Dobrosky hit a bump… and was thrown off his bike! A passing motorist brought him to Yonkers General Hospital, where he was treated for contusions and abrasions on his hands, arms and legs… but, although he escaped serious injury, he was placed on the disabled list.
Thursday, June 12th
June 12, 1693: The Royal Charter creating the Manor of Philipsborough (Philipseburg) was granted to Frederick Philipse I by King William III and Queen Mary II. Philipse was the first Lord of the Manor!
June 12, 1951: The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Downtown Yonkers announced ambitious plans for repairs in anticipation of the church’s 200th anniversary! Although much remodeling and many repairs were planned, the vestry pledged to maintain the architectural appearance of the building, retaining the original elements built by the Philipse family.
Friday, June 13th
June 13, 1904: Joseph Warren Stilwell of Palisade Avenue, member of the United States Miliary Academy Class of 1904, graduated from West Point. He would take a two-month furlough in Yonkers before reporting for duty in Mindanao in the Philippine Islands.
June 13, 1913: An old hand fire apparatus owned by the Exempt Firemen’s Benevolent Association and used in Yonkers years earlier, was back in use. A motion picture company used the piece in a film fire scene and hired several Association members in the movie!
June 13, 1920: School Fifteen parents formed a committee to study the proposal to build a Crestwood junior high school for Armour Villa and Crestwood children; parents felt it was difficult for students in those neighborhoods to take long trolley rides to Yonkers High School.
Saturday, June 14th
June 14, 1942: Although the defense training schools had eight new lathes and other new equipment, no one could use them. Why? The Board of Education didn’t have the money to install them!
June 14, 1945: Wounded war hero Corporal Frank Richardson came home on furlough to convalesce from leg wounds. Arriving home from a stint in an Army hospital, he discovered his family’s landlord was trying to evict his wife and 4½ year old son. His recuperation leave was spent appealing the eviction order while unsuccessfully looking for a new home before returning to the hospital. Turned out the landlord wanted to live in the family’s home.
June 14, 1955: The B’nai B’rith Home for the Aged on Lehman Terrace off Riverdale Avenue closed after seventy-four years. The eleven remaining residents moved to Coney Island, to the Brooklyn Hebrew Home for the Aged on the boardwalk.
Sunday, June 15th
June 15, 1913: President Woodrow Wilson proposed Thomas Ewing of Yonkers to the US Senate for confirmation as Commissioner of Patents.
June 15, 1922: Although City Judge Boote had one of the most crowded traffic calendars in the history of Yonkers Special Sessions Court, he handled more than 100 cases in one day. One the calenda Forty cases were speeding, ten reckless driving, twenty-eight autos parked more than six inches from the curb, six cars facing the wrong way, and sixteen horses left untied! He imposed fines totaling more than $500.
June 15, 1927: Professor Michael Pupin of Columbia University received a Doctor of Science degree from Brown University; he first started his radio research while living in Yonkers. His last address here was 280 North Broadway.
Questions, suggestions or comments on my 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.
