A cartoon about McGinnis' traveling style by Francis W. Dahl, Boston's cartoonist laureate, from the Boston Herald Traveler, courtesy of The Forum Antiques Gallery

McGinnis Raps Elevated Depot

New Haven Railroad President Okays
Parking Lot Deal on Visit Here

(October 7, 1954) The proposed route of the New England Thruway which will elevate the parking area and the main Larchmont Station appeared to come as a complete surprise to Patrick B. McGinnis, President of the New Haven Railroad, during a 50-minute stop in Larchmont Friday afternoon.

When Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor Owen A. Mandeville explained that the Thruway will pass the westbound platform at ground level and showed a rendering placing the parking area and the station itself above the roadway on a level with the Chatsworth Avenue bridge, Mr. McGinnis asked:

“Why should the people of Larchmont agree to anything that makes them climb steps?”

The Thruway Authority, he added, has not yet approached the railroad for easements that it will require. He appeared very much opposed to the proposed plan.

Mr. Mandeville, and Harold V. Bozell, chairman of the Parking and Traffic Committee, explained that the people of Larchmont had no choice in the matter, that the situation would be better than in the days of the old Boston and Westchester that ran between the station and the railroad tracks, and that only those requiring tickets would need to climb. Most of the latter, they added, would approach in cars on a level with Chatsworth Avenue.

After walking over the parking area beside the westbound platform to the east end of the station, and hearing first-hand of the Town of Mamaroneck’s proposal to lease the land for $1 per year and erect parking meters, 20 percent of the income to go to the railroad, he approved the plan and instructed one of the official party to draw the leases.