Jim Belling: What was happening in RVC 100 years ago?

The Rockville Centre Historical Society had an incredible 2024, and we’re looking forward to another exciting year. We have been on a mission to get the organization back on the map. We offered six compelling events last year, and have plans for more this year.

As we continue our columns, we’re mixing things up a bit. One of our members, Dan D’Antonio, wanted to share some of the current events from the village from 100 years ago. Man, how things have changed.

In the early 20th century, most trolley cars, such as the trolleys that ran on Centre Avenue, were worked by two-man crews. In the 1920s, one-man trolley cars started to appear. The Feb. 5, 1925, issue of The News and Owl reported that the Rockville Centre board of trustees had passed a resolution not to oppose the one-man trolley car working in the village.

In 1925, the village didn’t require building permits for new construction. But it passed a new zoning ordinance, and officials suggested that anyone considering new construction become familiar with the code to avoid “unintended violation and future trouble.”

The Electric Department reported that main-line transformer fuses were blowing out as customers were breaking the seals on their electric meters. In some homes, nails were used in place of fuses. Residents were warned that “insurance companies will at once cancel all risks on property where it is reported that residents are using makeshift fuses. New fuses must be installed by village employees.”

To suppress dust from the many gravel roads, the highway department would spray a layer of a petroleum-based product on the road. At the Feb. 18, 1925, board of trustees meeting, former Village President Dr. D.N. Bulson suggested that the annual cost of oiling the streets ($30,000 for the previous three years) be used to fund a project to pave village streets with concrete. He also noted that much of the oil used in the past had washed into Mill River.

At a February 1925 meeting of the Rockville Centre Exchange Club, members went on record opposing the Child Labor Amendment to the Constitution. Most members felt that New York shouldn’t allow the federal government “the power to decide the laws that affect our own state.” Many of the members, however, spoke of their experiences of working at an early age, and “agreed that youth must be made to work before reaching the age of 18 or (they) would never work.”

The amendment would have given the Congress the power to “limit, regulate or prohibit the labor of people under 18 years old.” It was approved by the House and Senate, but never received the needed number of state approvals.

During winter weather, the village covered sidewalks with ashes “to prevent damage suits through accidents to pedestrians.” A Mrs. David McMurray, of 50 Rockaway Ave., did not want ashes on her sidewalk, and applied at the police station for a warrant for the arrest of the village president, Joseph Monds, who she believed administered the program. The police department, of which Monds was the chief, withheld the warrant pending further investigation.

Hope you enjoyed the “news.” For the coming spring, we have some notable events planned, including our annual Appraisal Day and the second annual Night at the Museum cocktail party. Information can be found on our website.

If you like the short stories, the historical information and the events we’ve offered, we have a quick appeal. Like all treasures, the Phillips House Museum needs attention and care. To continue offering the programs, exhibits and experiences that make the museum such an important community resource, we ask for your support. This appeal is our only fundraising drive of the year, and every donation makes a difference.

If you would like to contribute, please visit us online at rvchs.org. Donations by check should be payable to Museum of the Village of Rockville Centre and mailed to Rockville Centre Historical Society, P.O. Box 605, Rockville Centre 11571. Kindly include your name, address and email. We thank you in advance for being part of this effort, and hope to welcome you at your village museum!

Jim Belling is a member of the board of trustees of the Phillips House Museum and the Rockville Centre Historical Society.