Washington's HQ Likely To Move To Kensico Dam Plaza
Updated August 9, 2011 In a bipartisan vote 16 - 1, the Westchester County Board of Legislators approved the Miller House Act that was recommended by the Budget Appropriation Committee to fund the relocation of the Elijah Miller House, also known as the Washington Headquarters Museum, from its current site on Virginia Road in North White Plains. It will cover the cost of an estimated $40,000 to move the Miller House to the Kensico Dam Plaza.
The estimate was provided by the Westchester Commissioner of Public Works and the funds will be budgeted from the Parks and Public Works Department as well as raised privately.
Doris Finch Watson is North Castle's Town Historian and a member of the Miller House Committee. In the April 2011 Town of North Castle Newsletter, she wrote that the Miller House was most likely built by John Miller in 1738, and the home remained in the Miller family for another hundred years. His widow, Anne Miller, hosted General George Washington several times during the American Revolutionary War, from 1776 through 1781.
In 1917 Westchester County purchased the small home and opened it as a museum the following year. In the colonial period, both the properties on Virginia Road and in Kensico Plaza were part of the 600 acre Miller farm.
The building is now in disrepair, but not beyond refurbishing. County Legislator John Nonna says, "It is a historical treasure and we don't want to lose it." The Parks and Public Works Department says that in the 1990's and early 2000's there were 8,000 to 10,000 visitors annually. Students and adults visited the site in North White Plains to learn about the Revolutionary War and the Battle of White Plains. Nonna says the problems with the current location are that it is across the street from a cement factory, the parking there is not big enough for school buses and it is in a commercial district.
According to Nonna, in 2010 the legislators approved a bond of $1.2 million to restore the historical building, but the bond did not include the cost of relocating the building and therefore a separate bill was necessary for the move. County Executive Rob Astorino vetoed the bill, but the veto was overridden by the legislators. Nonna says, "The cost of the renovation and site work at the new site has been revised downward to approximately $700,000."
Prior to the move, a study must be made to determine the federal government's requirements for maintaining the home's historical status. Finch Watson writes, "The Miller House deserves to be moved to the new location provided that it can continue to be recognized as both a National and State Historic Landmark." Nonna says a company that specializes in moving historical structures says that the best way to move the building is to cut it in half.
Nonna believes there is bipartisan support from the 17 county legislators to approve the appropriation to relocate the building. If the County Executive were to veto the legislators' decision, they could probably override his veto as they did with the bond approval. If the allocation is passed, Nonna says that it will be another three to six months before the home can be relocated.
Friends of the Miller House/Washington's Headquarters is a new nonprofit organization which will raise funds for the relocation and daily operations once the building has been relocated and restored. Ed Woodyard is the president of the organization. He says, "I am glad that such action has been approved and applaud the efforts of John Nonna to get this through the County bureaucracy. He has been a driving force. Without him this project might not have moved forward." Woodyard says that the move will "shine a strong light on a gem of a historical treasure, not only for North Castle and Westchester County, but also for the nation."
IBM Turns 100 By Alice Levine
June 20, 2011 On
June 15, the Armonk-based IBM Corporation celebrated its 100th
anniversary by highlighting its global program of community service.
While June 16 was the official anniversary date, IBM employees,
retirees, clients and business partners throughout the world
participated in the IBM Centennial Day of Service on June 15.
IBM’s current headquarters was built in Armonk in 1960, and the 340-acre site is the global center of the giant company. In the late 1600’s, the Siwanoy Indians built "North Fort" on same hill to protect themselves from wild animals and intruders. When European settlers arrived, they named their town North Castle after the Siwanoy Fort, since they thought it resembled a castle.
The IBM Celebration of Service involved 300,000 volunteers around the world, 5,000 service projects and 2.5 million hours of service; 120 countries received the benefits of the wide range of volunteer services provided by IBM employees.
“To commemorate our 100 years as a corporation, IBM is setting a record for community service by sharing the best skills of our employees, making a real impact in the communities where we work and live,” said Stanley S. Litow, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs at IBM. He added that the benefits of the volunteer efforts would continue well beyond June 15. “We are building on our strong heritage of skill-based service – a commitment that is in IBM’s DNA.”
The volunteer services featured by IBM in celebration of its important milestone range from helping young Uruguayans who live in impoverished neighborhoods to land their first jobs, to partnering with Age Concern in New Zealand to help senior citizens use cell phones during emergencies, natural disasters and personal health crises. In Nigeria, IBM employees will mentor 100 small businesses for 100 days to coach entrepreneurs in many business areas, including how to write a business plan and how to understand small business accounting. Here in the U.S., 100 IBM employees visited Newark, New Jersey and hosted a variety of activities, including some fun in the classroom with traditional math and science lessons.
IBM, which stands for International Business Machines, is one of the most prominent technology companies in the world. Its latest expansion plans include the opening of a new branch office in Coimbatore, India. IBM’s goal there is to meet the growing needs of its Indian clients and partners, and to establish a footprint in over 40 cities in India by 2013. In early June IBM announced the formation of New Cloud Services to deliver advanced software and computer lab resources and services to students around the world. The services would reduce the need for advanced IT expertise at their schools and universities.
While most of us associate IBM with technology, the company also has a high profile in the art world. On June 9, IBM announced the installation of Low-Power Mote, a new wireless environmental sensor network at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Low-Power Mote will help the museum to preserve its precious art collection.
“This pilot project has the potential to become an important tool in the Metropolitan Museum’s ongoing efforts to achieve the best environmental conditions for the works of art in our care,” says Paolo Dionisi Vici, Associate Research Scientist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While IBM does not currently have any plans for expansion in North
Castle, the IBM Learning Center in Armonk is a conference center that
also provides accommodations for as many as 182 guests. The center hosts
both internal programs and outside corporate seminars.
"Innovation and creativity have always been and will continue to play a
role in the company’s philosophy, “ says IBM's CEO, Samuel J.
Palmissano. "For IBMers, long-term thinking means continually moving to
the future.”
IBM celebrates 100 by ringing the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on June 16, 2011.
The Curry Family 1978
The Curry's social life revolved around family, the neighborhood and church. Community events such as the Memorial Day Parade and the Firemens’ Clambake were major social functions. The Armonk Airport, with its frozen custard stand, was another draw and people came from all around to see the plane shows. Meg Gregg's first job was as a waitress at a clambake. In the summer of 1947, she had a job at Geung's Department Store in White Plains. Read more
A Look at Armonk 100 Years Ago
Armonk in the year of 1910 was well documented in photography. The collection of photos give us a glimpse of local life one hundred years ago. Photos and source are the North Castle Historical Society.
If you have any photos to share from this time period, please contact Michelle Boyle at:
914.671.3532.
Rye Lake Bridge was originally constructed in 1910-11.
This home on Main Street has a rich history.
Reynolds Saloon and Armonk Hotel on Main Street circa 1910.
This home is located on Bedford Road in Armonk's historical district circa 1910.
Wampus Brook 1910
The Elijah Watt Sells House in 1909.
Indian Grist Mill Stone found at the site of the Legendary Indian Corn Field near Creemer Road, Armonk, Town of North Castle. Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Clark Boughton, 1950.
Indian Grist Mill Stone appears in front of Town Hall
North Castle's town seal hangs in Town Hall.
North Castle's Official Seal
The seal is divided into four sections illustrating North Castle's rich history. The top left section refers to North Castle's participation in the American Revolution. The top right section illustrates North Castle's history of farmlands and agriculture. The lower left section illustrates a leather shoe reminding us that North Castle was the birthplace of hand-made, custom shoes, a prosperous business from 1850 to 1870. The lower right section illustrates a map of the Town's origin "Erected 1736", date of the first town government, and "Incorporated 1788", as one of Westchester County's original towns. Source: North Castleny.com, North Castle Historical Society
Bedford Road Historical District
'In the 1980s, to preserve a 19th-century streetscape, a historic district was formed, with town, state and federal approval, consisting of a church and cemetery, six Greek-Revival-style houses and an outbuilding.'
Quoted from a Letter to the Editor, NYTimes March 2008 from resident, Susan Shimer.
Sign posted at the historical district corner of Bedford Rd/Maple Ave in downtown Armonk.
St. Stephen's Episcopal on Bedford Road was founded in 1842.
Bedford Road, Armonk's Historical District.
This home on Bedford Road, as indicated by a placque appearing on the front of the house, has been placed on the National Register of Historical Places by The United States Department of Interior.
Bedford Road, Armonk
Bedford Road, Armonk
Smith's Tavern
Smith's Tavern
Smith's Tavern Complex, Black Smith's Building & Quaker House
Smith's Tavern
Smith's Tavern, 1760
440 Bedford Road, Armonk
Serves today as the headquarters for The North Castle Historical Society. Guided tours are available on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. Armonk's most famous historical site, the tavern's prior functions included an early stagecoach stop, patriot militia headquarters, post office, first town offices and voting place for North Castle.
Source: Town of North Castle - Town of North Castle Historian.
Smith Tavern Documentary
By Caryn Markin
On April 1st the North Castle Public Library hosted a documentary film depicting life at Smith Tavern. Smith Tavern, one of Armonk’s oldest buildings, is located at 440 Bedford Road, Armonk, New York.
Doris Finch Watson, the town of North Castle historian, introduced the film to a packed audience. She also starred in the documentary, where she walked from room to room explaining the significance of each room and the items within. For example, the kitchen displayed many items for cooking, and the furniture was extremely versatile, changing from chairs to extra tables. This was very important as the Smith Tavern served as a stagecoach stop back in the 1700’s.Questions were answered at the end of the showing, demonstrating the interest our residents share in our history. For more information, go tohttp://www.northcastleny.com/life_history.htm.
Historical Facts of North Castle
The first inhabitants of North Castle were Siwanoy Indians.
First European settlers appeared in 1640.
By early 1700's the land was conveyed to the English crown and King William divided it into three parts and granted them to his three favorite courtiers. The three sections were referred to as West Patent which is now New Castle and western portion of North Castle, Middle Patent, the eastern part of North Castle and East Patent, now known as Pound Ridge.
North Castle's first town meeting was held on April 6, 1736.
During the Revolutionary War 1776-1783 two historical events took place in North Castle: Part of the Battle of White Plains took place in North Castle and General Washington's headquarters still stands in North White Plains and is a national monument. British Spy Major John Andre was captured and imprisoned for treason in a barn at Thomas Wright's mill.
Agriculture was the basis of North Castle's economy, while many families supplemented their income with shirt and shoe-making.
In 1812 North Castle had seven school districts all with their own trustees, district clerk and tax collector.
In 1861 Quarry Heights and Kensico sections of North White Plains became stops on the underground railroad, where many freed slaves were in route to Canada.
In 1900 New York City purchased thousands of acres in North Castle and Mount Pleasant to construct the Kensico Dam water system.
Between 1909 an 1915 European stone masons, many from Italy, settled in the Quarry Heights and the surrounding North White Plains.
The population of North Castle steadily increased during the early decades of the twentieth century. Wealthy families from New York City purchased farmland in North Castle converting agriculture pastures of farmlands to country estates.
During that time Bartlett Fields, a small airport, featured stunt flying and attracted thousands of spectators to Armonk.
The depression of 1930 - 1940 deterred economic growth.
In 1939 The North Castle Planning Board was formed.
During World War II in the 1940's domestic help left North Castle's great estates for factory work and join the war efforts. Land owners sold their property to land developers like Dr. Carlo Paterno who built 300 homes in Windmill during the 1950's.
In 1948 the United Nations meet much resistance in building headquarters in North Castle.
During this period residents formed local groups to address planning and growth of North Castle. This included the North Castle Citizens' Council to address zoning, League of Women Voters to survey the community on how to plan for the town's future.
George Washington's Headquarters, North White Plains
Marker on High Street marking Bristish spy, Major John Andre's imprisonment
Mile Square Marker on Maple Avenue and Bedford Road, 1850
Smith's Tavern (above)
East Middle Patent School, North Castle School District No.1, Now located at Smith's Tavern Complex
What's in a Name
The first known residents of Armonk, the Siwanoy Indians, built a North Fort to protect themselves from animals and enemies. It was located on one of our highest hills, just off Route 22 in the south east corner of town where IBM's world headquarters are now located. The European settlers thought the fort looked like a castle, hence the town became known as North Castle.
Prior to this our town was sometimes called White Fields referring to the wild growth of white balsam.
In 1720 a group of Englishmen from Rye named the village Mile Square, North Castle's earliest residential subdivision. But there was another Mile Square in Yonkers and that caused confusion at the post office.
Therefore, in 1851 a prominent citizen and miller of Sands Mill, Job Sands, changed the hamlet's name to Armonk.
Armonk was a phonetic adaptation of an Indian name Cohamong. This means "the wide, flat place where the water runs" or "the fishing between the hills." Coman Hill is as well derived from Cohamong.
Edited by Michelle Boyle
_______________
MAJOR JOHN ANDRE
High Street, Armonk, NY.
The collage above are photos taken of the historical site of the headquarters of the
Continental Army. The site was acknowledged by the Town of North Castle
and North Castle Historical Society of the location of imprisonment of
Major John Andre in 1780.
One of the plaques read: SITE OF HEADQUARTERS OF LT. COL. JAMESON OF
THE CONTINENTAL ARMY SEPT. 1780. IT WAS HERE THAT MAJOR ANDRE THE
BRITISH SPY WAS HELD PRISONER AFTER HIS CAPTURE SEPT. 23, 1780.
Thank you to Dorie Watson, Town Historian, for directing us to the location of this historical site.
Historical map of North Castle. Map courtesy of David Rumsey Map Collection, www.davidrumsey.com.
The Constitution of the United States
Pennsylvania State House Signed September 17, 1787
The Constitution was determined by the people for the people of "how much power to allow the central government, how many representatives in Congress to allow each state, and how these representatives should be elected--directly by the people or by the state legislators." The Constitution of The United States.
In 1961 the Byram Hills Central School District was formed from three small districts.
The free library was taken over by the Town.
The Parks and Recreation Department was set up to take care of the increasing demand of recreational programs for residents.
Anita Loise Erhman pool opened in 1965.
The green spaces committee was appointed by the Town Board in 1962.
Source: Documentation from the North Castle Public Library, Titled North Castle History received Sept. 1982.
Armonk, My Mayberry By MaryBeth Weisner
December 2, 2010 We all feel a pull toward a simpler way of life. A recent article in the AARP magazine, "Whistle if you love Andy Griffith", said that when the readers of AARP were asked which celebrity they wanted to know about, the number one response was Andy Griffith. The Andy Griffith show first aired in October 1960. I hadn’t even been born then, but I can certainly whistle the entire theme song now and I bet you can too.
Why am recalling an old TV show? Because many of us want to raise our children in a town like Mayberry. Might Armonk be a more modern version of Mayberry? I have lived in Armonk for almost 20 years. Each year I see the numerous changes, but I still remember the first time I walked through Armonk. When I said that I was new in town and checking out Armonk as a possible place to raise my family, everyone asked, “Have you been to Schultz’s Cider mill?” Twenty years later, I have to wonder if I simply smelled my way there? Was Shultz’s our Snappy Lunch?
A hot cup of coffee and an open, brown bag of warm cinnamon donuts later, I had found the town I wanted to live in, my own little Mayberry. Leaving the bustle of Manhattan life with two small children for such an idyllic setting was an easy decision; one that I made as I sat outside of Schultz’s enjoying my coffee on a sunny, September afternoon in 1990. I remember watching all types of people get in and out of all types of cars and trucks. Some came to Schultz’s for the donuts, some for the fresh produce and some, as I did for years to come, to ask Rea which apples were the best to use that week for a pie. I was happy. Norman Rockwell had nothing up on me and my new town.
I wanted a small quaint community to raise my children and I found it here in the hamlet of Armonk. If truth be told, as a little girl I wanted to grow up and marry Opie. I am sure thousands of young American girls wanted to marry Opie. When I married in the late 80’s, Ron Howard was already married, so I opted for the next best thing, a quaint and neighborly town, Armonk.
Twenty years ago, finding a store to buy a quart of milk on a Sunday afternoon was tough. Today there are many places to buy milk on a Sunday afternoon, as well as a great variety of food stores and restaurants to choose from. There are also more people, more traffic lights, new homes where the Cider mill once stood and many more cars in town. But some aspects of life in Armonk have remained constant. We still have a close-knit community. I was welcomed by the Preschool Association and my children enjoyed countless story times offered by the North Castle Library. My children made friends, I made friends, and as the years progressed, we enjoyed activities that eventually became family traditions. Like the folks in Mayberry. In Wayne Curtis' article in the AARP magazine, Marsha Scheuermann, owner of the Taylor Home Inn in Clear Lake Wisconsin, says, “Everybody wants to get back to Mayberry. It was simpler, it was slower, it was friendlier.” I think Marsha is right.
With two of my children now in college and one in high school, we still embrace events and happenings in town like the Art Show, the Fol de Rol, the musical concerts, lectures and the new Farmers Market. One of our favorite memories is the Annual Winter Walk when all of the town's merchants decorate their windows and stay open late. Some merchants serve cookies and hot cider, and the streets are lined with candles inside white paper bags. There are few times when Armonk looks prettier than during these evenings. And when it snows……well, it is a magnificent sight. Even better than Mayberry.
Major John André Held Captive 231 Years Ago in North Castle
The location of Wright's Mill on High Street Armonk was headquarters of the Continental Army in 1780. The site is a landmark to where Major John André was held captive as a British spy on Sept. 23, 1780. André was transported to Tappan, NY where he was tried, found guilty, and executed as "a Spy from the enemy" on October 2, 1780. Sept. 23, 2011
George Smith lived in this house that was torn down in 2009 on the Cockren property on Old Route 22. Smith was an Armonk postmaster. George Smith Place, across Old Route 22, adjacent to the Armonk Bowl property, was named after him.
North Castle's Zoning Board meetings were held monthly. The members of the board in 1966 were (L to R) James E. MacDonald, John Taroli, Chairman George Smith (standing) Erv Stokhammer and Henry Lindner. Photo courtesy North Castle Historical Society.
The Miller House is a monument to the Revolutionary War and the special place in the history of that war occupied by the Battle of White Plains. It is one of the few relics of the Revolutionary War in Westchester County. Please read more of County Legislator John Nonna's OP Ed piece on the Miller House.
The Miller House
The Miller House Update July 16, 2010 County Executive Robert Astorino vetoed the original Board of Legislators' June 21 vote of 14-2 in favor of using allocated funds to restore and relocate the Miller House to Kensico Dam in North White Plains. The Board of Legislators have revoted with the same results of 14-2 vote in favor of overriding the County Executive's veto.
North Castle's Miller House Committee is looking to form a non-profit organization to raise private funds in support of the historical landmark of Washington headquarters from the battle of White Plains.
Armonk resident Howard Arden, as treasurer of the Friends of Westchester County Parks said, "We have raised over $500,000 in funds to restore historical landmarks at Muscot Farms. As a non-profit organization, the Friends of Westchester County Parks have offered to receive donations made to the Friends of the Miller House." He stated, "This is especially important since tax-payers can't afford to support the restoration of the project. The people who are passionate about this preservation should support it." Arden, also as a member of The Rotary Club, announced the Rotary Club's donation of $500 to the North Castle Historical Society as seed money in support of the Miller House. This donation is intended to set a precedent for the 20 other countywide historical societies. Arden said, "It is time we stop waiting for handouts and start working towards funding this project." Supervisor Weaver, has offered his business's Westchester County Airport hangar location to hold a fundraising event. Weaver said, "I look forward to restoring the Miller House and making this historical site part of North Castle again." July 2, 2010
On July 1, County Executive Rob Astorino vetoed the Westchester County Board of Legislation's approval of a $1.3 million bond, including $100,000 in previously authorized bonds of the County, to finance the capital project to restore the historic Miller House. However, given the June 21st 14-1 vote in favor of the bond, the Journal News reports 12 votes needed override the veto would be likely.
The Ann and Elijah Miller House, built in 1738, was the site of George Washington's Headquarters during the Battle of White Plains. It is presently located on Virginia Road in North White Plains.
Local Armonk residents speaking on behalf of the bond were North Castle Town Supervisor William Weaver who spoke of a plan to incorporate private donations to help offset the cost to move the building to a new location, most likely at the Kensico Dam, and to restore the home. He said that the Miller House serves to remind current and succeeding generations of the Battle of White Plains and of the fight for American freedom and liberty.
Rich Nardi, a member of the board of directors of the North Castle Historical Society and a member of the Miller House Committee, read a statement from the NCHS in support of the measure as did Ed Woodyard, also on the NCHS board, who read a statement from Town Councilman John Cronin and cited three of his ancestors who fought in the battle, one of whom (from Massachusetts) died in it and is buried in White Plains.
The funds will go to moving and restoring the historic farmhouse which is listed on several national and state historic registers. The County assumed control of the house and property in 1993; previously the County shared responsibility of the house with the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Veterans Day 2009
American Legion held a dinner on Veterans Day in honor of the men and women who served our country to defend our freedom. We salute them and acknowledge their sacrifices.
Some of our finest local veterans photoed above are: seated L to R, Auxiliary Cleo Tompkins, 1942-43; Sgt Erling (Bumpy) Taylor, 1941-45; standing L to R, PFC Lucille Bates, 1950-1960; Corporal Patrick Burke, USMC 1969-71; PFC Donald Dehmer, 1959-62; Seaman Bonalea Eisenhower, 1951-52; Water Tender Second Class Frank Zaccarello, 1942-45. Click image to enlarge image.
William Taylor, Bumpy's father, was a carpenter, plumber and electrician.
Bumpy's mother Viola Carpenter
“Resolved, that Thursday, October 21, 1999, be and the same is Here By Declared “Erling J. Taylor Day” in Westchester County and be it further Resolved, that the text of this Proclamation be carried throughout the County of Westchester for all people of good will to forever know.”
________
Meet Bumpy Taylor By Caryn Markin
February 16, 2010
Erling J. (Bumpy) Taylor has lived in Armonk his entire life. Born in 1916, in a house which is just a memory, Bumpy recalls what it was like to grow up in our town. He says, "Old Doc Clark delivered most of the babies."
He continues, "Imagine Armonk in the early 1920’s." Bumpy grew up on Bedford Road in town and made his way to the school house, then located at 22 School Street. "You need to get to school but there are no school buses. I would walk to school, or in the winter time, ice skate down the frozen Wampus Brook. It was the only way to go." He recalls “It was the responsibility of one of the students to get to school early and start the fire in the pot belly stove which heated the schoolhouse. The bottom of the pot belly stove would get red hot. If not done, we were sent home for the day!” He remembers, “It was a two room school house, four grades in one classroom and four grades in the other.”
His father, William Taylor, a carpenter, plumber and electrician, always had work, moved here from Worcester, Massachusetts. "I walked to wherever my father was working just to ride home in his model T car. William Taylor helped organize the first Armonk Volunteer Fire Department in the 1930’s. Bumpy recalls, “Harry Williams bought an old fire truck from Bedford Hills for $200.” Prior to that, fire protection came from Mount Kisco, quite a distance away.
His mother, Viola Carpenter of Armonk, could trace her ancestry to the earliest Armonk settlers. Bumpy says, "Richard Lander, Town historian, traced our family genealogy back to the first white baby born in the area. According to family lore, in celebration of this birth, our family was given 700 acres by the Native Americans." This gifted property today is part of Windmill Farms. The cemetery on Evergreen and North Lake, the Carpenter Cemetery, is the final resting place for many of Bumpy’s ancestors.
During the 1920’s and 1930’s Armonk was bristling with restaurants, nightclubs and bars. The depression years almost bypassed this town. People routinely traveled from Manhattan and the Bronx to partake in Armonk's nightlife. In 1929, August Hussar purchased the Log Cabin and added a restaurant in a club setting. He arranged for New York radio stations to broadcast big bands from the Log Cabin. Quickly, the Log Cabin became a popular hangout featuring such famous performers as Tommy Dorsey and Buddy Rich. Bumpy recalls, “I spent many evenings at the Log Cabin listening to Les Brown and the Band of Renown.” The Blue Gardens, boasting famous jazz performers, was another of the many well known Armonk night spots.
Armonk's nightlife was ended by World War II. Bumpy served from 1941 to 1945. He was in the Army Battalion that provided ground support for the Air Force during the Battle of Coral Sea. This pivotal battle took place over several days, from May 4 – 8, 1942. The heavy loses inflicted on the Japanese lead to their defeat at the Battle of Midway. Bumpy recalls, “I was overseas for three and a half years. We got off the ship and went into the jungle, I thought I would go nuts in a week. But the days went by so fast, even the weeks, months and years went so fast.”
After WWII Bumpy returned to Armonk, married and raised a family. He rented a house from the George Smith family, (see photo below) in a home on Old Route 22 that was near the Willow Inn, now the Beehive. Bumpy owned and operated several gasoline stations and towing services in town, retiring in 1975. During this time, Bumpy remembers, "Towing cars out of the reservoir, horses out of quicksand, and I even towed an airplane that crashed at the end of Armonk's little airport." Bumpy recalls, “Sam Lewis brought down a belly strap for the horse, so we got that under his belly and I picked him up with the tow truck. I towed an airplane that crashed down at the little airport. I even towed a school bus, and I had to be careful with that towing because the bus lifted the tow truck.”
Bumpy is a kind, gentle man who loves to talk about Armonk; always with a smile and a laugh. He recalls the little Airport where people would land on grassy fields and tie their planes to apple trees. The airport's location is now Route 684. Bumpy also spoke about many fruit farms, now turned into the IBM and Whippoorwill Hills developments.
Bumpy recalls growing up in Armonk with many sweet memories, but underlining every story is a dedication to Patriotism and service to his country and town. Upon returning from serving his country Bumpy served his community. Bumpy proudly states, “I was a member of the fire department for 64 years, and the North Castle American Legion the same number of years.” He was Fire Chief from 1959 – 1961. He remembers vividly fighting the fire at the Log Cabin. "My gas station was right across the street, and I was afraid at first it was my gas station on fire. That was in 1965.” The Fire Department usually extinguished grass and house fires, even on Christmas and Easter. However, his fondest memories are of the Fire Department's picnics and community activities. "We'd visit all the communities to give kids fire truck rides, run carnivals and town parades." Bumpy was a principal organizer of the many carnivals, parades, and picnics. He was Grand Marshall for the 60th Anniversary Parade of the Armonk Volunteer Fire Department.
Worth mentioning was Walter Wolfiel’s annual picnic, as he had a pig farm. “This was a big event and Walter donated a pig to roast every year!” Bumpy was also a member of the North Castle Auxiliary Police for 33 years and Captain from 1962 – 1983. During this time he responded to two airplane crashes, one on Yale Place and the other off of King Street. Bumpy was President of the Lion’s Club for two years, on the Board of Director for the Town Library, Charter Trustee of the Historical Society and Commander of the American Legion Post three times. He wrote the history of the Armonk Fire Department for the North Castle Historical Society. A Proclamation was presented to Bumpy at a dinner at the American Legion Post 1097 by William Ryan, the county legislator at the time. The Proclamation states: “Erling J. Taylor stands out as a shining example of the positive difference that one person can make, and it is fitting that we recognize his many accomplishments.”
Bumpy has continued his family’s tradition of service to country and community. He speaks with pride about the long list of organizations he joined and served, in addition to being a prominent business man in town. That is why the Proclamation hangs in his house; as an appreciation from the community he so loves. He stresses the message of service to country and community, but his humble answer is that he donated so much of his time to so many important organizations, because “I just like to do it!”
Armonk history side note: Two great jazz nightclubs, the Log Cabin purchased for $165,000 by August Hussar in 1929, burned down in 1965, and the Blue Gardens also burned down in 1942.
"Imagine Armonk in the early 1920’s." Bumpy grew up on Bedford Road in this historical home located on the Armonk Square property.
Old Armonk
Fred Brooker's "Maple Shade" Armonk, NY. "EAT HERE DIET HOME" the sign read in front of where Hickory & Tweed stands today on Main Street. The little hot dog stand stood in the front yard where Fred and Mae Brook, partners and relatives, sold hamburgers, hot dogs and soda for about 15 years.
Fred Brooker moved to Armonk to retire and bought an old barn also at 41o Main Street back in 1927. In the early 1900's, Charles E. Brundage, an upstanding citizen and wagon builder by trade, owned the main house and barn on the premise.
Brundage's wheelwright shop was transformed into The Old Town Tavern and it became one of the most popular pubs in Town. After the Brookers' death, the estate sold the premise to John Dahms. Dahms sold the building to Jim Ross in 1961. Ross founded Hickory and Tweed Ski Shop. Skip Beitzel owns Hickory and Tweed today and the buildings that make up the shop are part of old Armonk.
Source: North Castle Historical Society.
Kensico & Armonk Stage Line Circa 1850
The Harlem River Railroad extended through Valhalla starting in 1845. This extension created a small business area. The railroad station was created along with a Kensico & Armonk Stage line in 1850 . The stage, as shown above, carried mail and passengers between Kensico, Armonk's first residential Mile Square area, which is now land marked at St. Stephen's Church, and Banksville.
Photo courtesy of North Castle Historical Society
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation
IBM is nicknamed "Big Blue" for its official corporate color. It is a multinational computer technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, NY. They moved their corporate headquarters from New York City to Armonk in 1964. During this time, IBM introduced computer software that transformed the computer industry.
This photo was taken from the corner of Route 128, Maple Avenue and Whippoorwill East looking east on Main Street. Photo Courtesy North Castle Historical Society.
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