Bedford Town House is turning 100

The early years: Bedford Town House in 1927, above, and today, below. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

By JOHN STOCKBRIDGE 

As we RevUp and celebrate our 250th national anniversary, we can make note that it is also the year that our Town House has its 100th anniversary. At the meeting of the Town Board on Sept. 22, 1925, Supervisor E.P. Barrett proposed that “the Town of Bedford in the County of Westchester and State of New York appropriate the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars for the purpose of acquiring a site and building a Town House thereon.” 

The land at the intersection of Cherry Street and the Bedford Hills to Katonah Road was acquired and the Town House construction began in 1926. At that time there was not yet a Saw Mill River Parkway so there was more of a view to Bedford Hills and the railway.

The construction was largely completed in 1926, but was not ready for full service until the following year. The architect approved for the project was Benjamin Morris, well known for his other government structures. As can be seen in the 1927 photo, the Town House looks much the same today. To accommodate the growth of town activities, complimentary expansion occurred, but in keeping with the same design.

As an identification of the year the construction took place, there is a curious feature which appears on the front of the building. On both the right and the left corner there are drain pipes which are headed by supportive links which say “1926.” These are a pleasant reminder of the 100th anniversary of our Town House. 

Happy anniversary.

John Stockbridge is the Town of Bedford historian.