HUDSON GARDENS, Edward J. Flynn

This week on my Facebook Group RSDKI Views, the subject of Hudson Gardens came up. Hudson Gardens is one of two prewar apartment buildings in Spuyten Duyvil. It is located at 2728 Henry Hudson Parkway, and is a rental bldg. that retains much of it grace and charm. It was built in 1928.

Apparently, the Hudson Gardens shared the same architect (name?) as the other remaining pre-war building in our area, the Linden House at 3001 Henry Hudson Parkway, just across the way. (built in 1935).

I know several people who live or have lived in the Hudson Gardens. At one time, it has been reported that there was a driveway for horse drawn carriages in the back. (now a parking lot).

But perhaps the Hudson Gardens biggest claim to fame was the presence of Edward J. Flynn, one of the most respected political figures of the mid twentieth century and a right-hand man to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Flynn lived in the rooftop penthouse apartment, then a single unit, but now split into several units. (PH Units at: 2728 Henry Hudson Pkwy E in Spuyten Duyvil : Sales, Rentals, Floorplans | StreetEasy)

Edward Joseph Flynn was an American lawyer and was a leading Democratic politician of the mid-twentieth-century, known for his leadership of the Bronx Democratic Party organization after 1922, and his association with Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.

He was born on September 22, 1891. In 1912, he graduated from Fordham Law School.
He was a Democrat; and was a member of the New York State Assembly (Bronx Co., 2nd D.) in the years 1918, 1919, 1920 and 1921.

He was Bronx Sherriff (1922–1925), NYC Chamberlain (1926–1928), Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Bronx County Democratic Committee from 1922–1953, NYS Secretary of State from 1929–1939, Democratic National Committeeman from New York from (1930–1953), and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1940–1943.

He was also the United States Commissioner General on the New York World’s Fair Commission from 1939–1940.

Flynn helped Roosevelt through all of his elections, but refused offers of jobs in the Roosevelt administration. However, he did accompany Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference, and remained in Europe afterwards to carry out various missions for the president, including to open a diplomatic relationship between the Kremlin and the Papacy.

Flynn traveled to England to meet with Prime Minister Winston Churchill. His work in England was cut short by Roosevelt’s death; which marked the end of Flynn’s European mission.

In 1940s, Flynn was investigated by Congress for a dunner party help in his penthouse apartment and at the suggestion of Eleonor Roosevelt, to be attended by members the American Youth Congress. Here is an excerpt from the Congressional Record:

6514 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MAY 21 1940
The purpose of the gathering is to introduce a few representatives of the American Youth Congress who are anxious to present their problem to people who are in a position to help them financially. As you know, Mrs. Roosevelt is keenly interested in assisting these young people, and she will be with us on that evening to introduce their members. Will you be good enough to let me know if it will be possible for you to join us? Would you address your reply to 2728 Henry Hudson Parkway?
(https://www.congress.gov/76/crecb/1940/05/21/GPO-CRECB-1940-pt6-v86-9-2.pdf)

The Hudson Gardens has been incorrectly attributed as a home of the Roosevelt Family, although they attended several dinner parties there at the invitation of Edward J. Flynn.
(https://tinyurl.com/3ndtpc24)

In 1947, Flynn published You’re the Boss, a memoir of his experiences in politics.

Flynn was also one of the key figures in electing Harry S. Truman to the presidency.

Flynn died on August 18, 1953, in Dublin. His papers were given to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
The phrase “in like Flynn” has sometimes been claimed to be a reference to Flynn, though its folk etymology more frequently associates it with actor Errol Flynn. Etymologist Eric Partridge presents evidence that candidates Flynn backed were almost automatically “in”, citing usage during Flynn’s life that refers to him. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_like_Flynn)

Edward J. Flynn – Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_J._Flynn)
Building Photos by Streeteasy: https://streeteasy.com/building/2728-henry-hudson