Call Number:

2003.012

Repository:

Old York Road Historical Society

Extent:

1.75 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1953-1989 (inclusive)

Creator:

Evoy, Martin

Abstract:

Martin Evoy (1903-1991), a management engineer by profession, was a local civic activist in the Abington area of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He worked with various neighborhood groups including the Rydal-Meadowbrook Civic Association, Resident Owners of the Harte Tract, and the Noble Improvement Association. The Martin Evoy papers, 1953-1989, are comprised of records of the various groups and projects in which he was involved. There is also a small amount of personal papers relating to Evoy's service in World War II.

Martin Evoy (1903-1991) was a local civic activist in the Abington area of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, who was involved with various neighborhood groups including the Rydal-Meadowbrook Civic Association, Resident Owners of the Harte Tract, and the Noble Improvement Association.

This collection consists of papers related to groups or issues with which Martin Evoy was involved. The papers are organized by "project" name, with a general file for various smaller areas of concern. There is another group of papers relating to Evoy’s efforts to move the Abington Township Library to the Best & Co. Store, his candidacy for Abington School Board, his account of his service in World War II in the Quartermaster Corps and of his 1984 tour of Normandy Beach, France, and Germany, and a small group of personal correspondence. There are also clippings relating to civic actions, zoning regulation pamphlets, and other printed material.

Following is an inventory of the collection:

Box 1 Ambler, Kathryn B. 1974-1975: effort of Ambler to convert a doctor’s office at her house to an apartment at 1635 Spring Ave. Arbuta Road, 1972-1975: order to maintain residential character, protest against building apartments of DeCicco greenhouse property. Arthur Treacher’s, 1978-1981: concerns over zoning violations at Old York Road and Woodcrest. Baederwood Shopping Center, 1952-1957, 1975, 1983: protest rezoning of Baederwood Golf Course for a shopping center and its subsequent development. Chrysler Motors Corporation, 1963-73, 1989: N. W. corner Harte and Old York Rd. original development agreement and adherence to it; use of 932 Old York Rd. for garage; blacktop; building expansion. Connor Real Estate, 1972: change of zoning between Gino’s and Zayda Restaurant, with frontage on Old York Road. Edgehill/Thomas Tract, 1980: effort to keep open and promote as site of Revolutionary War Battle of Edge Hill. Hechinger, 1981, 1991: parking, storage, and other zoning issues; storage addition at 939 Old York Rd. This file also includes Carl and Richelle Hittinger two-story addition to their house. Hot Shoppes/Roy Rogers, 1983-1984: effort to prevent take-out operations due to traffic hazards at Old York Rd. and Fairway.

Box 2 Noble Station Apartment and Office Building, 1969-1973, 1980: Opposition to size of development by Noble-Rydal Corporation (James Scully, President), including campaign financial papers. Nulty, Joseph F., 1975: objection to swimming pool installation at Old York Rd., Harte Rd., Lambert Rd. (Harte Lot #49). Warner, E. Parry & Cynthia, 1983: addition to 1931 Hilltop Rd. General files, 1952-1989: includes efforts to assure character of residential construction is appropriate (no ranchers), 1953; Moreland Road zoning for apartments, 1972-1974; Ray Altimari swimming pool; Edward W. Michener proposal to split 1860 Lambert Rd. into two properties, Harte Tract Restrictions, plot plans, police force issues (removal of Police Chief William F. Corcoran).

Box 3 Abington Township Public Library, 1970-1971, 1985, 1989: efforts to purchase Best & Co. store at Old York Rd. and Orchard Rd. for library. Abington School Board, 1973: Evoy’s campaign for member of school board (includes some additional material to 1980). Account and Reminiscence, 1984, of tour of Normandy, Germany, and France, and service in World War II in Quartermaster Corp. Typescript. Miscellaneous personal correspondence, 1963-85.

Box 4 Clippings, zoning regulations, miscellaneous printed material.