Actress Gloria DeHaven has a Yonkers street named after her
By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Municipal Historian, 1977 recipient of the Key to the City of Yonkers, President Emeritus Yonkers Historical Society, recipient of the 2004 Key to History, Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board Member, Founder of Revolutionary Yonkers 250 and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, June 22nd
June 22, 1943: After the Common Council instructed City Manager William Walsh to order enforcement of a 33-year-old curfew regulation. It prohibited children under sixteen being out between 10 pm and 4 am unless accompanied by a parent or adult.
Councilman Edith Welty had brought the issue to the Councilmembers, asserting she received complaints about high school girls on the streets and boys damaging property at late hours. Welty said she investigated and found the forgotten and unenforced 1910 curfew ordinance.
June 22, 1953: What was the hottest topic in Yonkers? The correct name of DeHaven Drive!
Developer Martin Kimmel had named a street in his Greystone Gardens development on North Broadway after girlfriend Gloria DeHaven. So… why the chatter? Kimmel and DeHaven had married the day before! Some pundits suggested the correct street name should be Kimmel Drive since Miss De Haven now was Mrs. Martin Kimmel.
Tuesday, June 23rd
June 23, 1915: Ludlow resident Jefferson De Angelis starred in “A Trip to Chinatown,” at the Warburton Theater. Manager George Farren had selected a wholesome family comedy as the season’s farewell bill of the Yonkers company; it proved to be a record breaker.
De Angelis began performing in 1870 at the age of 10 and achieved national fame as an acrobatic comedic stage actor. One of his last appearances was in Edna Ferber’s 1927 Broadway hit The Royal Family.
Jun 23, 1943: After receiving City Manager William Walsh’s orders, Police Chief William Kruppenbacher, the Yonkers Police Department and its officers immediately began enforcing Yonkers’ 33-year-old curfew for youngsters under sixteen.
Wednesday, June 24th
June 24, 1954: Alexander Smith Carpet Factory announced it was closing the Yonkers plant forever, 90 years after it opened here. After the plant was closed for 10 days by a Textile Workers Union strike, Smith management announced the reason was because “the cumulative effect of operating losses sustained over the past three years…” made “continuation of carpet making in Yonkers impossible.” More than half of the employees had been employed in the plant more than 25 years.
The company started 1845 in West Farms, then part of Westchester County. Smith hired Halcyon Skinner; he invented the power loom in 1856. This invention changed the carpet industry; his loom cut production costs, so rugs became affordable. Sales increased.
After fire twice destroyed the West Farms plant, the company moved to Saw Mill River Road and the Nepperhan River in 1864. “The Creek” provided all the water the factory needed for carpet production.
Thursday, June 25th
June 25, 1943: Sanette Manufacturing Company, Herriot Street, made gauze bandages, adhesive tape and surgical dressings.
The government notified Sanette it was awarded a huge contract to make surgical dressings for the Navy; Sanette president Clarence Lee immediately leased the vacant Naval Militia Armory on South Waverly Street, quickly expanding company facilities to fulfill the new government contract!
June 25, 1943: Staff Sergeant John Quinlan, tail gunner on the “Memphis Belle,” surprised his family with an unannounced visit. He had told his mom he wouldn’t be home until August because of the Memphis Belle crew’s nationwide war bond tour. But, since the tour was in Bridgeport, he took a train to Mount Vernon, then the trolley to Yonkers. He spent the night here, returning to Connecticut the next morning.
Friday, June 26th
June 26, 1943: Students were needed to enroll in Yonkers free Defense summer schools; our local defense industries needed workers!
Saunders courses were blueprint reading, drafting, electric and gas welding, machine shop, radio and shop mechanics. School of Aeronautical Manufacturing courses were sheet metal and sheet metal layout, aircraft manufacturing, inspection and testing.
Depending on the area, certification required 150 to 400 hours of work and could be finished by September 1st.
There was a high, continued demand for trained people; area defense industries especially needed welders, machinists, draftsmen and inspectors to complete government defense contracts!
Saturday, June 27th
June 27, 1943: Since the Council had ordered reinstatement of the old curfew law, police were looking out for violators but hadn’t picked up any children. Officers believed the real intent of enforcement was preventing teenage girls from “picking up” servicemen.
The law specified youngsters under 16 could not be out at night unless in the company of an adult. One officer stopped a teenage girl in the company of a sailor; he asked her name, age, and where she was going. The teen quickly told him since she was with an adult, she was not violating curfew!
She was right, so he let her go.
June 27, 1953: Yonkers tennis champion Vincent Richards and his youngest son Dean gave a tennis exhibition in the Glen at a Herald Stateman sponsored event. After demonstrating tennis fundamentals, the duo played volunteers from the audience.
Sunday, June 28th
June 28, 1940: Seven hundred people welcomed Yonkers newest citizens at a Commerce High School ceremony! After Mayor Condon welcomed everyone, Supreme Court Justice Frederick Close presided; he urged them to embrace the advantages of living in a free country, especially by joining a political party and voting.
Sixty-four people received their citizenship credentials from County Clerk Harold Mercer; Boy Scouts stood at attention in the aisles while World War veterans escorted the new citizens to the flag decorated stage.
Every newly naturalized citizen received a small American flag and a copy of the oath of allegiance from Yonkers’ Keskeskick DAR Chapter; the Yonkers Lions Club gave each new citizen a copy of the American Constitution.
Any questions on this column, email yonkershistory1646@gmail.com.
For information on the Yonkers Historical Society, the Sherwood House Museum on Tuckahoe Road or upcoming events, please email info@yonkershistoricalsociety.org, call 914-961-8940, or visit their website www.yonkershistoricalsociety.org.
