Downtown Peekskill
Posted: May 18th, 2010 under Around Town, Old Times. Comments: none
We were pleased to discover Paul Tallerico’s pictures on Facebook showing views, old and new of Peekskill. The number of pictures is approaching 1,000 at this point. They are sent in by anyone who has something to share.
The link below should take you right to the photo albums. You may want to add a few of your own or comment on those that have been uploaded so far.
I am getting a kick out of all of them and some have mentioned Downtown Peekskill in years gone by and listed a couple of the stores that have come and gone and those that perhaps still remain. Sometimes the comment is, “Can’t remember the name of that store on South Street . . . ”
In order to facilitate and stir up everyone’s memory I have complied a partial list of the Peekskill businesses as I remember them. I am sure that there are more that I have forgotten to include:
Benskys Stationary; Skolskys; Picones; Pisanis; Wards Hosiery; Genungs; Howlands; JJ Newberry; Thom McCann Shoes; Jones; Kittingers; Tullers; Karl Ehmers; Kurzhals; Capital Glass; Colonial Resteraunt; Millers; Memos; Marathon; Sioles; Washington Tavern; Paris Shop; Windsor Dress Shop; Amorosis; Peekskill Fish Market; Offenbachers; Alimonti Barber Shop; Busy Corner Drug Store; Rexall Drug Store; DeChristophers; Big Scott; Peekskill Food Center; Arthur Weeks Jewelry; Faulkners Optical; Mohican Meat Market; Peekskill Meat Market; Wellers Men’s Clothing; Gibbs Clothing; Peekskill Diner; New York Resteraunt; Busy Corner Drugs; Hudson Grill; Ulm Bros Funeral; Dorsey Funeral; Nardone Funeral; Genes Army and Navy; Peekskill Theater; Colonial Theater; Paramount Theater; Sears Roebuck; Montgomery Ward Catalog Office; Silver Lake Market; New York Crockery; Doherty’s Music; Center Diner; Moes Stationary; Lockwood Motors; Bills Market; Frenchys Pies; Peekskill Paint Supply; DiRubbos Floris; Highland Bakery; Baxters Pharmacy; Marios; Dain Lumber Company; Highland Laundry; Bertolines; Monument Liquor Store; Old Dutch Mill; Epicure; Harveys; FWWoolworths;Paramount Beauty Salon; Robinsons Flower Shop; Rizzuto Motors; B&F Furniture; Circle Mens Shop; Post Grill; Rosoffs; Empire Market; Peekskill Rollerdrome; Fosters Clothing; Bonnie Brook; Rubenfelds; Markoffs Shoes; Dunlaps Music; Eagle Market; Dean Ferris Flowers; Voughts Furniture; Tuttles Paint; Posey Motors; Creed Lumber Co; Shultes Department Store; Arnolds Tavern.
In the 30′s Saturday night was a big downtown event. Families could be found walking the streets doing their shopping after payday and sometimes just to walk around and say hello to neighbors. Peekskill indeed was a “Friendly Town” during those years.
When Music was LIVE!
Posted: March 13th, 2008 under Around Town, Old Times. Comments: none
One of the topics that has been generating interest amongst some of the “old timers” of the 30s to the 40s is that of the local bands that played at our Proms and various dances. We have pictures of the Nick Corozine – Johnny Cassaboon – Eddie McGinnis bands http://www.peekskillhighalumni.net/html/alumni_memories.html but we don’t have a picture of the Eddie McGinnis band and many names are missing from the pictures. If you can add to our knowledge, please do so. I also remember a band that was very popular and played the arrangements of Glenn Miller, but can’t remember the name.
I read about the lavish proms that are conducted today wherein the parents spend literally thousands of dollars to make the event memorable. For myself that was neither possible nor necessary. Money, of course was tight and the most popular corsage was tea roses, worn on the wrist. I had to ask the girl whether they should be red, pink or yellow to match her gown. There were never enough cars to go around so if we were going to take our date to the Blue Gardens or the Armonk Log Tavern after the dance then we had to make sure we latched onto someone who would be able to get dad’s car for the evening. There was always six to a car which meant the girls had to sit on their escorts lap all the way there and back.
The girls all knew that they were supposed to nurse along a coke – perhaps two. The regular band that I remember in Armonk was the MacFarland Brothers and they were quite good. I bought some of their records, one in particular that they could always be counted on to play was McNamarras Band. It became an event of the evening as the band all paraded around the dance floor and sang at the top of their lungs.
Somewhat later, when feeling flush, we could journey to the Glenn Island Casino where Glenn Miller made frequent stops. What was the name of the place overlooking the Palisades in New Jersey where Frank Sinatra got his start. I remember going there but the name escapes me now, maybe The Meadowbrook but I am not sure. That was some 65 years or more ago
Ron Abbey
Webmaster
Let’s Start a Conversation
Posted: March 13th, 2008 under Around Town, Old Times. Comments: none
Well I can’t say for certain but to me, and in connection with the PHS Alumni Web Pages, it can become a place for renewing old acquaintances and making new ones. Having graduated from Peekskill High School in 1940 there are of course, very few of us left above ground. But those of us that are still able to remember Peekskill, both the schools and the City might be able to fill in a few blanks for those of you who are much younger and have an interest in what it was like to live in Peekskill during those years.
Hopefully, some of you might want to contribute your own favorite memories of your school years, and perhaps add some comments about what has happened in your life since you graduated. Did you stay in Peekskill, marry and have children? Or did you head out for greener pastures? More importantly did you find those greener pastures?
There are also things always happening within the City that are worthwhile talking and writing about. If you are reading thnis now, take a moment to add at least a hello and where you are coming from.
If you have a Blog of your own, or a web page. Give us your address and we will be happy to link to you.
Ron Abbey
Webmaster
http://www.peekskillhighalumni.net