Walking Tour Spans Centuries in Scarsdale

Did you know that the Harwood Building in Scarsdale Village originally had bowling alleys, billiard and table tennis tables, chess and checkers, a piano, a radio and davenports?

That’s just one of the interesting nuggets shared by Village Historian Jordan Copeland with a group of 19 Scarsdale seniors who enjoyed on a walking tour of Scarsdale Village on Monday October, 21, 2024. Several of the seniors on the tour not only raised their own families here over the past 50 years but grew up in Scarsdale themselves and had their own memories of Scarsdale as it was.

Copeland discussed how the arrival of the railroad in the mid 1840s connected Scarsdale to New York City. In 1844, steam powered service began in the Bronx River Valley -- but skipped Scarsdale. The nearest stop was “Hart’s Corners,” now known as Hartsdale. However, because the railroad passed through the Popham family’s land, they arranged that trains would halt on a signal from a member of the Popham family at “Popham Gate.”

Some wealthy New York City residents began to build estates, and by 1877, train service became regularly scheduled. The Pophams persuaded the railroad to build a platform, and later a wooden station.

Before the current train station was built, the train tracks crossed Popham Road and a flagman was employed to warn people of approaching trains. In 1902 the Tudor revival train station was built in stucco, half timbered with Spanish tile and likely established the architectural style for the rest of the Village.

Turning to Garth Road, Copeland explained that it was the site of the Village’s original business center. The current Florence Building was first built in 1903 as a one story commercial building, and later raised to three floors. It housed Angell & Co. Real Estate, O’Farrell’s Drugstore, the Flagge & Hooley Grocery Store, Luikert Meat Market, the plumbing firm of Curran & Curran, and contractor Frank Bracalello.

Here's more:

-The Bronx River parkway (1925) increased Scarsdale’s connection to New York City, and was surrounded by a linear park, aimed at preserving rural beauty rather than encouraging speed.

-The 1920’s were the time of substantial growth in Scarsdale as a whole and downtown. In the 1920’s the population of NYC grew 21%, Westchester by 51% and Scarsdale by 176%. Commuting was easier, and people were fleeing the political, social, and economic disorder of New York City.

-In 1920, local businessman formed a bank, and soon a real estate development company to develop the current downtown bounded by East Parkway and Chase Road, and to protect Scarsdale and build a higher quality, well thought out commercial center than out-of-town speculators would have built.

-When the Scarsdale National Bank and Trust opened in 1920, the original staff consisted of the president, a cashier, a bookkeeper and a stenographer. There was no custodian, so the responsibilities of this position were shared by the four.

-In 1923, there was no residential mail delivery in Scarsdale, so residents had to come down to the post office to collect their mail. When mail delivery was proposed, local merchants objected, because they wanted potential customers to have to come downtown. Luckily home mail delivery began September 2, 1924,

-The Harwood Building originally had bowling alleys, billiard and table tennis tables, chess and checkers, piano, a radio, davenports and chairs in the basement from 1930 until about 1947 when they were leased by Robison for storage.

As a finale to the tour, the group descended into the World War Two memorial at Boniface Circle which even some long-time residents noted that they hadn’t seen it up close before. A total of 2,142 Scarsdalians served in the war, and 81 are recorded as dying or missing in action, including three sets of brothers, and one woman.

About the Senior Club:

All Scarsdale residents, 60 years of age and older are welcome to become a member of the Scarsdale Senior Club. The fee is $15 for residents. Former residents of 20+ years, or parents of children who live in Scarsdale, even if they live outside of Scarsdale, are welcome to join the group for $20.

Benefits Include:

-One-way taxi service transportation, up to $25, to local medical and dental appointments for current Village of Scarsdale residents only
-Exercise classes via Zoom and in-person on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
-Special membership rates for luncheons, trips and programs
-Pool admittance on Thursday afternoons during summer pool season
-Aqua Aerobics at the pool complex

How to Join:
-Join online at www.scarsdale.gov
-Come to the Scarsdale Parks, Recreation & Conservation office at 244 Heathcote Rd to register in person. Checks are to be made payable to the Village of Scarsdale.
-Call Maida Silver, Senior Coordinator, at (914) 722-1162 for assistance.