CEDAR HILL ARMY OBSERVATION POST

As part of Bethlehem’s civil defense measures during World War II, an aircraft warning station was organized at Cedar Hill in 1942.  Chief Observer was Thomas Finley and Esther Hillman was Assistant Chief. The archive is fortunate to have recently received Esther Hillman’s scrapbook from that time donated by her daughter Elizabeth Hillman Zeronda.

The Post was part of the Army’s Aircraft Warning Service. Many area residents volunteered to man the post 24 hours a day to be the “eyes and ears of the Army” on the lookout for enemy aircraft. Esther Hillman completed special training in aircraft recognition and became qualified to instruct others.

During the 1950’s with its concerns of nuclear attack and the rise of communism, civil defense procedures were established and the post re-activated.

Today, the carriage house has been converted to a private residence and can be seen on the way to Henry Hudson Park.

Chief Finley on the observation roof.  The horn contains a microphone to help locate high-flying plans by sound.  Observations were phoned or “flashed” to Army headquarters. June 1943.

Swearing in of Observers on the first anniversary of the Observation Post, August 8, 1943. 60 spotters were sworn in as members of the Ground Observers Corps, U.S. Army Air Forces.

A picnic celebrating the first anniversary of the Observation Post.  The picnic took place along the Hudson River, most likely near today’s Henry Hudson Park just down the road from the post.  August 8, 1943.

The Observation Post was located at the carriage shed of a Hudson River estate. This photo is dated March 10, 1943.

A page from Esther Hillman’s Cedar Hill Army Observation Post scrapbook.

Esther Hillman.  This photo was taken about 1944.

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