MORE CROTON MEMORIES: STARLIGHT LANES

Welcome to EverythingCroton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

INTRODUCING CROTON MEMORIES, a new series that will focus on Croton from the 1940's through the 1970's. Second installment:

CROTON MEMORIES: STARLIGHT LANES with special thanks to THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

May 6, 1984 marked the end of an era in Croton. That was when Starlight Lanes closed. The culprit, according to the Gannett newspaper of the day: escalating costs—especially fuel and taxes. The paper also reported:

--“I’ll cry believe me” said Argia Totilo, a Charger team bowler and treasurer for the mixed league. Mrs. Totillo, a Croton resident, is a 25 year Starlight veteran.

--Thursday Night Live, a men’s team, came in at 8 pm. Mike Gardiner, an Ossining resident and member of Jerry Quinn’s Painters was on hand. “I wish it could stay,” he said, citing its size – 40 lanes – and its convenience.

Opened in July of 1959, bowlers reveled in its “Country Club” features: air-conditioned comfort, lauded its automatic pin-setters, soda fountain, locker rooms, Game Room and enclosed Bar and Cocktail Lounge. The cost back then: $736,000.

Now the site of many smaller stores in what is known as the Shoprite Shopping Center, Starlight Lanes remains a quintessential part of the village’s history.

To see some photos, click the link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/sets/72157627493637944/ 

Stay tuned for more Croton Memories.

RELATED: THE STARLIGHT DRIVE-IN, parts 1 & 2

http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/croton-memories-starlight-drive-in_15.html

http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-croton-memories-more-on-starlight.html

MORE OF CROTON'S SPECIAL PLACES: QUAKER BRIDGE

Welcome to EverythingCroton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

Continuing our new series—Croton’s Special Places—here’s the 4th installment: QUAKER BRIDGE:  Built in 1894, the Quaker Bridge is one of Westchester’s oldest surviving bridges, and the 4th to be built at this location. Earlier wooden structures were washed away regularly. This bridge, built in the Pratt Truss style, is a true survivor. Click here to see some late summer, early morning photos of this wonderful little bridge. All photos, all rights reserved, M.D. Cudequest

ANOTHER GREAT ARTICLE FROM THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES BY ELISE SASSO: A HERO AMONGST US, JOHN PETERSON, MILITIAMAN

Welcome to EverythingCroton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

ANOTHER GREAT ARTICLE FROM THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES BY ELISE SASSO: A HERO AMONGST US, JOHN PETERSON, MILITIAMAN  

On September 21, 1780 John Peterson a 34-year-old resident of Peekskill of African-American descent and 19-year-old Moses Sherwood were working at the cider mill on Croton Point. (His friends knew John Peterson as Rifle Jack, due to his skill as a marksman, Peterson had been serving his country since the beginning of the Revolution and fought in many local engagements, probably attached to the Van Cortlandt Militia.) They watched with some alarm as the British sloop, the HMS Vulture set out a boat of soldiers who began rowing toward the point. Peterson and Sherwood opened fire on the small boat as soon as it was in range. It quickly returned to the Vulture while the sloop peppered the shore with grape shot.  

That act indicated to the militiamen that the ship was within artillery range. So they rounded up some fellow soldiers and a team of horses and made a dash to Verplanck Point to report to Col. James Livingston at Fort Lafayette what they had seen and done. Livingston agreed to send a cannon back to Croton Point. Some time that night, Major Andre slipped off the boat and made it to shore and arrived at Joshua Smith’s house. By morning of September 22, the cannon had been set up on Tellers Point and at first light they opened fire on the Vulture.  

With wind and tide against her, the hapless sloop was forced to endure a two-hour pounding from the American gun, which severely damaged her rigging. By the time the tide had changed and the sloop was able to drop down river out of range of the cannon, she was too badly damaged to return to pick up Andre. Thus, stranding Major Andre, which led to the uncovering of the Benedict Arnold Conspiracy in 1780. John Peterson and Moses Sherwood lived the rest of their lives in obscurity and poverty. Even though they started the chain of events, which led to Andre’s capture, and the unraveling of Arnold’s plot, their deeds have been little noted except in local history. Andre’s captors, who caught him in Tarrytown, while trying to flee on horseback, received honors and pensions but Peterson fought for decades to get a meager pension. He finally received his in 1840 at age 90. Also, there is a monument at Croton Point. The cannon called The Patriot’s Cannon is permanently mounted in front of the Herrick House in Peekskill, NY.  

E. A. Sasso 

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE GOLDEN GLOW OF CHRISTMAS COVENTION IN RYE 2011

We were thrilled to discover tonight that another friend of ours--Scotty of Flickr fame--attended the 2011 Golden Glow of Christmas convention in Rye which means.....more pictures! CLICK HIS SET http://www.flickr.com/photos/39935185@N06/sets/72157627244819731/with/6014175327/

RELATED: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/07/notes-from-recent-golden-glow-of.html

MORE CROTON MEMORIES: MORE ON THE STARLIGHT DRIVE-IN THEATER

Welcome to EverythingCroton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

Once again, many thanks to the hard-working volunteers at The Croton Historical Society (http://tiny.cc/wgw1n) for this enlightening stroll down memory lane. 

AS PROMISED, MORE ON THE STARLIGHT DRIVE-IN THEATER

Excerpts from an unidentified newspaper clipping at The Croton Historical Society archives dated 8/10/68. 

"Twenty years ago this month Westchester's first drive in theater was opened in Croton. The Starlight Drive-In provided a brand new kind of movie going: come as you are; children under 12 free; bring your dog, relax, smoke a cigar--all without disturbing your neighbor.

To many neighboring young families with the problems and expenses of a baby sitter, the opening of the drive-in was the first time they were able to go out together since they started a family. The past 20 years has seen the Starlight double in size, a new snack bar changed to accommodate the new methods of self service of both hold and cold foods. The screen, with the advent of cinemascope, was enlarged to twice its original size to provide for the new type of projections and better sound. During the past 20 years the Starlight served the community--cooperating on benefits, publicizing fund drives, and being a place to sell poppies. The marque was always available during the winter months to organizations, and the annual Christmas tree sale by the Lions Club has been held at the theater."

READ PART ONE HERE: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/croton-memories-starlight-drive-in_15.html

 We hope you've enjoyed this new series at EverythingCroton. Stay tuned for more Croton Memories.