Local History
Chauncey 1901
The hamlet of Chauncey was once a thriving community. Originally known as Odells, Chauncey boasted factories, hotels, a railroad station, Post Office, fire company, and many residences. Unfortunately, the coming of the Saw Mill River Parkway in the 1920's ended once and for all any hope of Chauncey's survival.
Chauncey Railroad Station
1880's photo showing Chauncey's Railroad Station. Henry Eibel's hotel, later the Chauncey Hotel, is shown on the left. Shipments to and from the tapestry and paper factories kept the station agent busy during the week.
Once known as Odell's or Echo Hills, the Chauncey section of our school district formerly boasted a hotel, post office, firehouse, railroad station, several stores, and many homes. The area served tapestry, paper and chemical factories over the years.
Photo is courtesy of ARONE Collection.
Parcel 4 Sheet 24, Saw Mill River Parkway, May 17, 1927
Photo by F. Rose
Driveway at Chauncey, March 23, 1928
Earth moving has already begun for the Saw Mill River Parkway. The new road eliminated the growing "business section of Chauncey"
Photo by James Owen
The Saw Mill River Parkway, formerly Lawrence Street, passes in front of a row of houses in the once thriving community of Chauncey.
Eventually, these homes would vanish to be replaced by modern office buildings.
Postmaster Louis Zito keeps Old Glory flying at Chauncey Post Office on the old Putnam Division
The 1962 photo shows the post office in the tiny depot that was built after a fire destroyed the large original structure.
Young men of Children's Village
The New York Juvenile Asylum was established in 1851 to aid orphaned and troubled boys. First located in New York City, the school purchased 277 acres of farm land in Dobbs Ferry in 1901 to build a cottage colony. In 1920, the New York Juvenile Asylum officially changed its name to The Children's Village. Although the Children's Village was completely within the boundaries of Dobbs Ferry, an access road conveniently linked the school to the Chauncey depot. Coal, produce, and necessary supplies arrived via the railroad. In this 1914 photo, the young men of Children's Village sit at their desks looking very studious, but at least one fellow (center of photo) seems to have found a diversion with a stereoscope viewer.