By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Historian, President Emeritus Yonkers Historical Society, recipient of the 2004 Key to History, Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board Member, Chair of Revolutionary Yonkers 250 and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, June 30th
June 30, 1943: In an effort to aid the Yonkers War Salvage Committee to maximize its collection of scrap metal, the Yonkers Common Council passed a bill making it a misdemeanor to toss out salvageable tin cans, and carried a fine of $10 or a ten-day jail sentence. Mayor Barnes opposed the resolution, stating “You people are trying to give the folks on the home front the business.” Barnes suggested instead of the $10 fine, violators should buy a $25 War Bond… instead of ten days in jail, violators should purchase ten War Bonds. After the Corporation Counsel stated the amendment was illegal, Barnes was excused from voting.
After chatting with Salvage Committee Chair Joseph Ringwalt, Barnes asked he be allowed to vote in favor of the resolution.
June 30, 1943: The “Old Put” ended service to Getty Square. Sixteen people took its final trip to the Terminal behind the First National Bank Building; Attorney John Broderick, who led the fight to stop abandonment of the line, took the last ride with his wife. Horace Gray, attorney for the Committee of South Yonkers Commuters, also took the last ride,
Tuesday, July 1st
July 1, 1916: Yonkers High graduate Joseph Stilwell was promoted to Captain by President Wilson. Stilwell, an instructor at the Plattsburg Camp, received his appointment to West Point from President William McKinley.
July 1, 1945: Saunders HS teacher Dr. Adam Poruban began an unusual summer job, personnel research at the Adjutant General’s office in Manhattan. Field agents performed various tests given by the Army—intelligence, mechanical, aptitude tests, etc., to ensure the proper personnel were placed in military and civilian jobs around the country. After the tests, his statistical analysis unit studied the results to see if the tests actually measured what they were supposed to measure!
Wednesday, July 2nd
July 2, 1781: George Washington noted in his diary he arrived at Valentine’s Hill near Mile Square at Sunrise.
July 2, 1927: Martha Wysard of Glenbrook Avenue was selected to play on the leading role in local scenes of the film, “Our American Girl Visits Yonkers.” The film, depicting a typical American girl visiting cities around the country, was shown at Proctor’s.
Thursday,July 3rd
July 3, 1911: The Manor Hall officially passed into custody of the American Scenic and Historic Society.
During the first part of 1911, several officials and departments still operated out of the Manor Hall, including the Board of Contract and Supply, the Comptroller, the City Treasurer and the Assessors.
July 3, 1943: The Yonkers USO began Fourth of July weekend events for servicemen in the Yonkers area, beginning with a co-ed swimming party at the YMCA. This was followed by a “weenie roast and campfire” at the Y. That night, a dance for the hostesses and servicemen at Yonkers USO Center.
July 3, 1945: Councilman Whalen introduced a resolution to name the eastern portion of the Grassy Sprain Golf Course, already designated a park by the Common Council, after former Mayor and Congressman John E. Andrus, in recognition of his generosity to the people of Yonkers.
Friday, July 4th
July 4, 1943: The Yonkers USO continued their Fourth of July entertainment with an outdoor supper at the YMCA, followed by “variety entertainment” and dancing at the USO Center at 73 South Broadway. Formerly a multi-family house, servicemen preferred the Yonkers USO because it was “homey.”
July 4, 1943: War workers were given the day off to celebrate Independence Day, all except workers at Habirshaw Cable and Wire Corporation and the Blair Shipyard. Imperative government contractual obligations didn’t allow them to shut down for the day.
Saturday, July 5th
July 5, 1933: Sparks from illegal fireworks turned a Palisades Avenue apartment house into an early morning three alarm inferno. Firefighters and police worked heroically to save 33 tenants of buildings at 126-128 Palisade Avenue! Tenants were hanging out the windows with flames; one woman threw her young child out the window! Fortunately, Firefighter Arthur Conklin saw her and caught the little one. One of the tenants, Michael Ryan, was a man with two broken legs; Lieutenant John Downey and Firefighter Kyran Dunn crawled to his bed, engulfed in flames. Downey put Ryan on his shoulders, then the men carefully carried him down a ladder “through a wall of flames and smoke” to a waiting ambulance. Fire Chief Arthur Chambers deemed the fire the “most dangerous to human life” he had seen during his 32 years with the department.
July 5, 1943: Yonkers continued its weekend of entertainment for Servicemen with a softball game at Halsted School’s Athletic Field on North Broadway, an outdoor supper at the Y, and dancing at the USO.
Sunday, July 6th
July 6, 1781: French troops camped along the Sprain River.
July 6, 1942: Ann Del Campo of Purser Place, Yonkers’ first woman welder, began work at the Habirshaw Cable and Wire plant at the foot of Point Street. After completing an intensive course at the Metro Welding Institute on Riverdale Avenue, the only woman in the class, she applied for work at several area defense plants and at the Brooklyn Navy Yard but was told no welding jobs were open to women. City Manager Raymond Whitney and Councilman Edith Welty alerted a female radio commentator, and Mrs. Charles Polette, wife of the NYS Lieutenant Governor took up the cause. As a result, the new US Shipbuilding Corporation plant at Ludlow offered her a job. She was working at Habirshaw in the shop; they offered her a welding job when they learned she was qualified.
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