RIDGEWOOD T WWW.QNS.COM IMES 110TH ANNIVERSARY AUGUST 2, 2018 11
PROGRESS IN THE TIMES
Through Depression and War
Ridgewood’s subway system
arrived in 1928. “On July 30,”
the Ridgewood Times reported
“5,000 people and community organizations
staged a well-planned parade
along Myrtle Avenue to officially
signal the opening of the Fourteenth
Street-Canarsie BMT subway line.
Flags and bunting gave Ridgewood’s
main stem buildings a holiday
appearance.”
When it became obvious at this time
that the area needed another high
school, the Ridgewood Times supported
the purchase of the “heights of Ridgewood,”
formerly a cow-grazed farm,
from a local dairy. In September 1931,
a three thousand seat facility opened
under principal Charles A. Tonsor.
Named in honor of the nation’s 22nd
President, Grover Cleveland High
School became a vital and honored institution
in the life of Ridgewood, and
Dr. Tonsor began an association with
the Ridgewood Times — a relation that
persevered until his death in 1977.
The economy of the country, which
had peaked during the late 20’s,
then began its downward slide. The
Ridgewood Times, like all other businesses,
was feeling the pinch.The debts
incurred supporting the radio station
were being felt. As Clemens recalled
in 1983, “It was hard times for the staff .
There were many payless paydays and
several of us had to hold down two
or three jobs to keep the newspaper
afl oat.”
In 1933, Schubel relinquished his
affi liation with the Ridgewood Times,
and the Corporation was now headed
by a triumvirate that included Carl Clemens.
Through careful management,
it stayed afl oat through the Depression
years and continued to be the voice of
the Greater Ridgewood Area.
With World War II, however, the
Greater Ridgewood area was again
caught in the crossfi re of Germanic
heritage and American pride. Some
Nazi sympathizers tried to bring
Hitler’s philosophies into the area,
but they were quickly rejected and
abandoned with scorn. Yet, somehow,
there were tales of German U-boat
crews working their way into the
Ridgewood taverns to hoist beers.
The aftermath of World War II
was felt in America as much as in
Europe. The City of New York was
changing, and the effect was felt
in Ridgewood. Returning soldiers
looked towards the “American
dream” of owning a home in the
suburbs, and eyes turned eastward
towards Long Island. Children who
had grown up in the Greater Ridgewood
area broke away from the family
tradition, and sought “greener”
pastures. Refugees and displaced
persons came to these shores from
war-ravaged Europe.
The Greater Ridgewood area formed
strong veterans organizations over
the years. Many of the local posts had
been created aft er World War I, and
the Doughboy Monument at Myrtle
and Cypress Avenues was erected in
honor of those who died in that war.
Aft er World War II, the Glendale
Memorial at Myrtle and Cooper
Avenues was dedicated in honor of
the additional soldiers who made
the supreme sacrifi ce. Later, a monument
for the Korean confl ict was
placed at the corner of Forest and
Fairview Avenues, and few years
ago, a plaque in honor of those who
served in Vietnam and other wars
was dedicated on the grounds of the
Glendale Memorial.
In efforts to maintain the area’s
stability in this new time of change,
the Ridgewood Times increased its involvement
with local civic groups and
relief organizations. Members of the
editorial staff were also participants
in Chambers of Commerce, Kiwanis
and Lions clubs, and various other
groups.
Renewed interest in politics gave
strength to political clubs, always
actively involved in the community.
A combination of party affi liations
have worked for the improvement of
services in the neighborhood.
Boys home from service after World War II
This honor roll in Glendale was just one of many ways Greater
A butcher shop in Bushwick during the Great Depression Ridgewood residents honored World War II soldiers.