New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Coots & Allen
Two of the most popular Christmas songs ever written were by songwriters who lived in New Rochelle Santa Claus is Comin' to Town by J. Fred Coots, and Home for the Holidays by Robert Allen.
J. Fred Coots was born John Frederick Coots in Brooklyn, New York on May 2, 1897. His mother wanted him to become a concert pianist, but he heard the siren call of Tin Pan Alley instead. He worked in vaudeville writing material for several headliners, including Sophie Tucker and became a staff composer for the Shuberts, writing songs for many musicals and revues.
His many songwriting credits include Love Letters in the Sand (1931) and For All We Know (1934). His partnership with lyricist Haven Gillespie produced the jazz standard You Go to My Head (1938) and Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1932). An avid New York Ranger fan, he wrote the Rangers Victory Song to celebrate their 1940 Stanley Cup victory.
Coots lived on 85 Mountain Road in the 1940s and 50s with his wife Marjorie and four children. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972.
Robert Allen was born in Troy, New York on February 5, 1928. He began
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Allen teamed up with lyricist Al Stillman in the early 1950s and the pair produced some of the most timeless standards including Home for the Holidays (1954), Chances Are (1957) and Moments to Remember (1958). LIke Coots, he also wrote a fight song, his was called War Eagle for Auburn University.
Allen moved to 217 Broadview Avenue in 1963 and lived there much of his professional life. The ASCAP Foundation Robert Allen Award is named in his honor.
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. A significant historical date for this entry is February 5, 1928.
Location. 40° 54.597′ N, 73° 46.986′ W. Marker is in New Rochelle, New York, in Westchester County. It is on Memorial Highway south of Huguenot Street (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 264 Huguenot St,
Regionally, this marker is in the Hudson Valley and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Frances Sternhagen (here, next to this marker); Don McLean (here, next to this marker); John Starin (here, next to this marker); Alan Menken (here, next to this marker); Robert Sherwood (a few steps from this marker); Willie Mays (a few steps from this marker); Barry Gray (a few steps from this marker); Edwin & Gertrude Thanhouser (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 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
