Bronxville
Reminiscent of a quaint English hamlet, the neighborhoods of Bronxville capture an Old World ambiance that continues to charm new comers and residents alike. Ranked 49th in Worth magazine’s list of the top 250 Richest Towns in America, Bronxville is one of the premier neighborhoods in the country. This affluent suburb has a dignified beauty and refined lifestyle that is reflected in the shady tree-lined streets, sophisticated and unique shops, and profusion of lovely gardens that have come to characterize this historic area. Nestled within the curve of the Bronx River and less than thirty minutes from Grand Central Station, Bronxville has been insolated due partly to its geographic location and partly to the its origins as a self-contained community. This proclivity toward independence has helped to sustain the charm of a bygone era and bypass the pitfalls of massive urbanization.
The area that has come to be known as Bronxville was originally home to the Mohegan Indians. In 1639, Jonas Bronck, a successful merchant newly arrived from Denmark, purchased a significant block of land and became the region’s first white settler. The new settlement gained further momentum with the arrival of John Underhill, an ambitious businessman who established several grist and saw mills along the Bronx River in the early 1700’s. Underhill’s Crossing, as it came to be known, grew into a prosperous farming community over the next several decades. With the arrival of the railroad in the early 1840’s, the settlement became formally established under the new name Bronxville in honor of Mr. Bronck. By the early 1900’s, millionaire William Van Duser Lawrence concentrated the bulk of his vast fortune in construction, and built sumptuous homes to sell to his friends and business associates. Charmed by the beautiful countryside and conscious of the economic potential of an area within such close proximity to Manhattan, Mr. Lawrence became instrumental in Bronxville’s development. In 1928, as a tribute to his wife, Sarah, Mr. Lawrence founded Sarah Lawrence College. During the 19th Century, Bronxville became a center for the avant-garde community as artists spilled over from the big city into this quiet riverside town.
Tiny Bronxville encompasses a mere square mile in area and is nestled in the center of southern Westchester County within 2 miles of Mount Vernon and Eastchester, 3 miles of Yonkers, and 18 miles of Manhattan. The average travel time for commuters is 38.5 minutes. Bronxville has a population of over 6,500 residents with a median age of 38 years, a median household income of over $144,000 and a median house appraisal value of $959,000. Unemployment is at a low 2.1%. Bronxville is within 13 miles of both LaGuardia International Airport and Westchester County Airport which is located in White Plains.
Yonkers
Just 16 miles outside of Manhattan lies the charming and diverse city of Yonkers, the perfect companion to the Big Apple. Much more than a sleepy suburb, Yonkers has all the excitement of a cosmopolitain center. It is rich in cultural diversity and natural beauty, and is steeped in national heritage. The site of much activity during the American Revolution, Yonkers is sprinkled with historic landmarks. Close to but not within Manhattan, the residents of Yonkers can enjoy the benefits of both the world- famous metropolis as well as its own unique environment. Yonkers has one of the most cherished views of the Manhattan skyline. The area of Yonkers is characterized by a splendid topography that consists of tiered hillsides, rolling hills and vistas of inspirational beauty that include the Hudson River. Over 86% of the population have been residents since 1985, a testimony to the loyalty of a residency that is content to call this city home.
Located on the banks of the Hudson River, Yonkers was founded in 1646 by Adriaen Ven Der Donck, a successful Dutch lawyer who received a land grant from the Dutch West India Company. Locals referred to the young landowner as “De Jonkheer” meaning “young gentleman” and the title eventually evolved into Yonkers. The Philipsburg family who built a large manor on the banks of the Hudson acquired Mr. Der Donck’s land, and the area gradually developed into a center of trade and commerce. Saw and grist mills, blacksmiths, and taverns attracted nearby residents to the young community. Yonkers ideal location, close to developed roadways and easy accessible via water, catapulted the local economy, boosted small businesses and provided ample employment to the growing settlement. In 1872, with approximately 7,500 residents, Yonkers was officially incorporated. Today with a population of over 200,000, Yonkers has risen to a major center of industry and is the fourth largest city in the state of New York.
The city of Yonkers covers 19 square miles, 4 of which border the Hudson River. Yonkers is home to the Concordia College, Yonkers Raceway, a major harness racing track, and the Hudson River Museum. Yonkers is accessed by several major transportation routes, which include the Saw Mill Parkway, Sprain Brook Parkway, Cross County Expressway, and the New York Thruway, the latter of which serves as the main artery through town. Yonkers is bordered on the south by New York City, on the west by the Hudson River, on the north by the town of Greenburg, and by several municipalities on the east including Eastchester and Bronxville. There are several modes of viable transportation. Conrail commuter trains provide easy access to Grand Central Station and take approximately 30 minutes. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Airports are all within 30 minutes of Yonkers. The median age of the residents of Yonkers is 36, the median household income is $45,000 and the unemployment rate is at 6.7%. Average temperatures in the area range from 74 degrees in the summer to 30 degrees in the winter with 47 inches of rain and 25-40 inches of snow.
The community of Yonkers has a strong commitment to education. In recent years several district schools have been the proud recipients of the much coveted “United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon School” and “New York State Elementary School of Excellence” awards which identify Yonkers has having one of the most advanced educational programs in the country. Much of their success is derived from several programs that have distinguished the Yonkers Public Schools as leaders in providing quality care for individual student needs. Full day care programs are offered in every elementary school for pre-kindergarten age children, the most comprehensive magnet program in the region has been developed in specialized areas such as performing arts, public service and television production, and the innovative PEARLS program has been implemented to address the needs of gifted and talented students.
Yonkers offers a plethora of attractions, activities and events that will provide endless hours of education and entertainment. Yonkers Hudson Riverfest is an environmental and multi-cultural festival that attracts tens of thousands of people each year. The Hudson River Museum is the pride of Yonkers. Located in the Glenview Mansion, the museum centers upon art, history and science and houses the Andrus Planetarium. Yonkers is within close proximity to the historic Hudson Valley home to poets, artists and statesmen. Philipsburg Manor, Sunnyside (Washington Irving’s home) and Olana (the estate of artist Frederic E. Church) are just a few of the historical sites that dot the lush countryside. The City of Yonkers has recently completed a massive renovation of the Yonkers Recreational Pier, a one hundred year old structure that is now the centerpiece of the downtown revitalization program and is the focus of cultural and community events.
Eastchester
Eastchester New York began as a cooperative venture initiated and sustained by the original settlement of thirty-six families. In 1664 several families migrating westward from Connecticut were enticed by stories of a nearby land, rich with beauty and natural resources. On arrival in New York, Thomas Pell, the owner of the territory, allowed the small group of travelers safe haven and an opportunity to settle down and work the land. By the following year the group had created a document that formalized community issues such as property care, child education and support of religious institutions. Known as the “Eastchester Covenant”, this document is one of the first of its kind to represent a collective agreement between citizens. Eastchester became famous in the early 1800’s for a beautiful quality of marble quarried in the area. “Tuckahoe Marble” as it was named was in high demand for the next hundred years, the production of which helped galvanize the city’s economy.
The town of Eastchester is a 30-minute ride on the Metro North into Grand Central Station. It is located off of the Bronx River and Hutchinson River Parkways both of which provide easy access to Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia International Airport. Average travel time to work for commuters is 34 minutes. Eastchester covers an area of five square miles and is bordered by Scarsdale to the north, New Rochelle to the east, Yonkers to the west and Mt. Vernon to the south. Eastchester has a population of over 32,000 residents with a median age of 40 years, a median household income of over $80,000, and a low unemployment rate of 2.6%.
As far back as the Eastchester Covenant, the citizens of Eastchester have placed a premium on education. Over 91% of the adult population are high school graduates, over 52% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and an impressive 25% have earned a graduate or professional degree. Eastchester’s historically outstanding school system continues to reflect significant student improvement especially in the past four years. In primary school the fourth graders in particular have gained recognition throughout the state in standardized test scores, middle school students have distinguished themselves in the often over looked areas of math and physics, and Eastchester high schools are ranked 108th in the nation out of 14,000 other high schools in Advanced Placement Exams. This consistent success reflects strong academic programs and a staff of dedicated, skilled teachers. Over 98% of the graduates of Eastchester pursue further education.
The city boasts many wonderful attractions. Serving as a hospital during the American Revolution, St. Paul’s Church still stands today and has been declared an historic landmark and a national shrine of the Bill of Rights. The Marble Schoolhouse has been a noteworthy point of interest since 1835 when it was first constructed out of Tuckahoe marble. Originally built as a residence, the Ward House has undergone many identities – from homestead, to local tavern, to a central post during the American Revolution, to a hideout for bootleggers. Today it enjoys a much more placid incarnation as a dormitory on the Concordia College campus. In 1928 the town of Eastchester was designated the “Cradle of American Golf”, and serves as the home base for many golf legends, such as Will MacFarlane, Jess Sweetser, Johnny Farrell, and Tom Creavy.
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