New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mighty Mouse
The Best of Terrytoons
| | New Rochelle Walk of Fame | |
In the crowded field of famous individuals New Rochelle can claim as native sons and daughters, perhaps the most extraordinary was Mighty Mouse who emerged from the New Rochelle studio of Terrytoons, the innovative animation company that brought us a 40-year long parade of cartoon characters known throughout the world.
To the refrain of "Here he comes to save the day," Mighty Mouse led the Terrytoons procession followed by such notables as Heckle and Jeckle, Gandy Goose and Deputy Dawg. Mighty Mouse was first created as a super-powered housefly named Superfly, but studio head Paul Terry changed the character into a cartoon mouse. Originally intended to be a parody of Superman, he first appeared in 1942 in a theatrical animated short titled The Mouse of Tomorrow.
Paul Terry, founder of Terrytoons, came to New York from California in 1911 as a newspaper photographer and artist. In 1915, he bought his first animated cartoon, "Little Herman," to the to the Thanhouser Film Company, the silent motion picture studio located on the Boston Post Road near Echo Avenue in New Rochelle. Some neighborhood kids got a sneak previous.
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In 1934, Paul Terry settled his company in the Pershing Square Building in New Rochelle, now known as the Kaufman or "K" Building. In 1949, he moved his studio to the former Knights of Columbus Hall at 38 Centre Avenue. He often remarked, "Disney is the Tiffany's of this business and I am the Woolworth's."
By 1951 his staff was churning out 26 cartoons a year and several million comic books were being produced each year as well. In 1955, Terry sold the company and property to CBS.
Erected by City of New Rochelle, NY; New Rochelle Downtown Business District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.
Location. 40° 54.622′ N, 73° 46.966′ W. Marker is in New Rochelle, New York, in Westchester County. It is at the intersection of Library Plaza and Lawton Street on Library Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle
Regionally, this marker is in the Hudson Valley and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jerry Bock & Joseph Stein (here, next to this marker); E. L. Doctorow (here, next to this marker); Carl & Rob Reiner (here, next to this marker); Frederick Douglass Patterson (here, next to this marker); Buffalo Bob Smith (here, next to this marker); Teresa Brewer (a few steps from this marker); Jan Peerce (a few steps from this marker); Irene Castle (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Rochelle.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
