Week of November 8

November 7, 1874 – 150 YEARS AGO

Rockland County Journal

WORTHY OF IMITATION

 [Image: postcard of the Wayside Chapel, Grand View on Hudson. Courtesy Nyack Library via NYHeritage.org ]

       An estimable young lady of Brooklyn, whose name we could not learn, felt moved a short time since to contribute her mite towards making the Wayside Chapel one of the most comfortable and cozy places of worship, as it now is, to be found anywhere. She accordingly informed our good friend, John L. Salisbury, that he had her permission to procure cushions for the chapel and send the bill to her. The handsome cushions that now render the seats so comfortable are the gift of this young lady, and we have no doubt that the pleasure which she derives from the gift is only equalled by that of the recipients.

AROUND HOME

     ☞  Since the Thanksgiving proclamations of President Grant and Gov. Dix have been issued, the turkeys wander around in silence and the chickens shake their heads ominously.

     ☞  A man in the vicinity of this office keeps the Sabbath day holy by stirring up his chickens with a pole because they eat too much, and when he is observed, he transforms himself into a first-class menagerie by putting his thumb to that portion of his face which he pokes into other people’s business.

      ☞  John Parcells, of Tappantown, was recently out hunting near the Palisades, when the ground beneath his feet gave way and he was precipitated, head downward, a distance of sixty feet. His skull was fractured, and when found two hours afterwards he was breathing, but died in a short time. He leaves a widow and seven children.

November 6, 1924 – 100 YEARS AGO

Pearl River News

STATE FORESTS ARE CLOSED TO HUNTERS — Danger of Devastating Fire Due to Unprecedented Dry Weather, Caused Governor to Act

       The forests of the state were closed today to hunters and campers by proclamation of Governor Smith because of the danger of devastating fires due to the unprecedent [sic] dry weather prevailing since early in October. The unusual step was taken on advice of Conservation Commissioner Alexander MacDonald and the closed order applies to all of the fire towns in the Adirondack and Catskill areas.

       At present, the governor said, fires are raging in 12 different places, although none are considered serious.

       Under the proclamation as signed by the governor all state agencies, including fire wardens and state police, would comb the woods and see that every person departed immediately.

       “There has not been a drop of rain in the Adirondacks in the last month,” the governor said. “We must protect the woods at all costs.” More than a score of small fires in the woods already have been extinguished. The largest burned over sixty acres of timber before being put out.

November 7, 1974 – 50 YEARS AGO
The Journal News

CLARKSTOWN COUPLE’S REQUEST FOR NATURE PARK REJECTED

       A unique request for apartment zoning was turned down Wednesday by the Clarkstown Town Board after several months of consideration.

       The rezoning of 31 acres of land in Central Nyack for apartments in exchange for a town owned easement on a 40-acre nature sanctuary was proposed at a public hearing in August by Mr. and Mrs. Winston Perry, who own 94 acres off Mountainview Avenue.

       They had acquired the land over a period of years. Taxes rose, but they wanted to preserve what they feel is a beautiful piece of land.

       They had proposed 180 units of condominiums on the low land and preservation of the high land—with a view of the Hudson—with an easement for the town so the land could be used for trails and camping.

       The land is now zoned for half-acre residential use.

       The plan had been enthusiastically backed by conservationists, who feel it would be an innovative way of dealing with development without ruining the landscape

       But the town board members felt it would set a precedent for other land in the area, particularly a large tract owned by Lone Star Industries. That tract had been proposed as a site for 1,400 condominiums several years ago.

       Town Supervisor George Gerber said the board feared it would “open a Pandora’s box in that area” and would be a beginning of a “domino” effect on zoning.

       J. Martin Cornell, attorney for the Perrys, disagreed with the precedent theory, saying the board could zone as it saw fit on each parcel.

       John Lodico, Conservative town councilman, said the town board had “turned down better offers,” and that the easement was not adequate. “The town ought to own and control and land it uses for parks,” Lodico said.

       The Perry’s had wanted to retain control of the land to keep it from mini-bike riders and others who might ruin it. Republican councilman Vincent Pizzutello said the condominiums would be a financial boon to the town. But other board members had opposed it, so he voted against it because he was “outnumbered,” he said.

       Winston Perry, Jr., an architect active on the project with his parents, reacted to the news of the vote calmly, noting the family had expected it and had been told there were not enough votes in favor of the proposal.

       The family has not decided on a course to take now but will have to come up with a new plan, Perry said.

       “The taxes are impossible,” he said. The family may try to deal with park agencies for a sale-gift combination, he added.

       The town board also voted to deny a rezone request for a parcel on Main Street, New City, where a chiropractor wants to expand a parking area.

       The board unanimously denied the request from Dr. Anthony Pavia to rezone a residential lot to commercial use. Lodico and Gerber both said later the rezone would bring the commercial area too close to the residential neighborhood, and would endanger the zoning line. 

This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan on behalf of the Historical Society of Rockland County. © 2024 by The Historical Society of Rockland County. #FBF Flashback Friday may be reprinted only with written permission from the HSRC. To learn about the HSRC’s mission, upcoming events or programs, visit www.RocklandHistory.org or call (845) 634-9629.