History

 

Many temporary homes and much hospitality marked the Post’s early history. The first meeting sixteen years ago was held at St. Gabriel’s School Hall. At that session there was much discussion as to the post name. Finally it was decided to enshrine the name of “Riverdale” in memory of ALL who died in the service of our country.

Richard J. McAnany, who until recently had served in the Pacific with the Sea Bees with the rank of Lt., was elected the first Commander of the Post. First order of business for the officers and membership was to locate quarters for the new post. In the interim monthly meetings were held at local churches including St. Gabriel’s, Riverdale Presbyterian Church, and Christ Church.

Later that year the Post obtained the use of part of Ben Riley’s Arrowhead Inn located at West 246th Street and Riverdale Avenue. At the time the Inn was one of New York’s most popular restaurants and nightclubs. The Post held meetings and monthly dances in the large ballroom.

In 1948 Emil Zambetti was elected post Commander. Like his predecessor, Commander Zambetti was a Naval officer during World War II. The post dances continued to be very popular and an added activity was the Sunday morning softball games at the Fieldston School.

The Post continued to grow in the early 1950s—and the need for a permanent home grew with it. Post Commanders during these years were: 1950 – William D. Barry – at this time the post held its first Christmas Party with Ed Wisner playing Santa; 1951 – Walter Berretta, who increased the Post’s athletic activities through sponsorship if softball and football teams; 1952 – Carmine Marasco – at this time plans were made to vacate the soon to be demolished Arrowhead Inn; 1953 – Daniel McMahon who stepped up the Post’s Americanism program; 1954 – harry Campbell – during this period the Post met at various homes and rented meeting rooms in Riverdale including Pro Patria Council, Knights of Columbus and the Nipnichsen Club.

Frank Zambetti was elected Commander in 1955 and the Post obtained its first “permanent” home. A small plot of land was purchased at the southeast corner of Netherland Avenue and West 259th Street and a framed bungalow was installed at that location. The bungalow had served as a renting office at an apartment house site in New Rochelle and had to be carted intact to the Post’s new home site.

In 1956 Thomas F. Carty, Jr. was elected Commander. Activity and interest in the Post was stimulated through the Post’s sponsorship of free chest X-rays for the entire community. Close to 900 residents participated in an eight-hour period at the Riverdale Neighborhood House.

James T. Gallagher served as Commander from 1957 to 1959, and headed negotiations to purchase the Nipnichsen Club. The deal was completed on December 30, 1957 and the new quarters became the scene of many a gala affair. A reconditioning program placed the tennis courts and bowling alleys in use. Cookouts and regular dances added to the vitality of the club. The property on 259th Street was sold and the money used to reduce the mortgage of the Post’s new “permanent” home.

Disaster struck on October 6, 1958 when the Nipnichsen Club was razed by fire. The insurance money went to the bank to pay the mortgage and Post was left with a large piece of land and no funds to construct a new building. It finally was decided to sell the property and look elsewhere for a new home. The property was sold in October 1959.

James Conforti, Jr. was elected Commander in 1959 and continued the search for a new location. At that time a Guidance Committee was formed to help guide the destiny of the Post. The committee consisted of all past Commanders, Monsignor John Brew (Post Chaplain for 15 years), John Zambetti, Jr., Raymond Ryan and Robert N. Pucci. The committee decided to purchase property at Riverdale Avenue and West 250th Street and construct the new “permanent” quarters in early 1961.

James T. Gallagher was elected Commander in 1961. The building was designed by Robert Pucci and construction began in September 1961. It was completed in December. Formal dedication of the new quarters was set for May 30, 1962. Memorial Day – a truly fitting occasion for the veterans of the great wars to dedicate this permanent living monument to their friends and neighbors who died preserving the cause of liberty.