City of Peekskill

Westchester County

Mountain Bike Trail, Blue Mountain Reservation, Cyclists, exercise, picnic lunch, best mountain biking trails, best hometown trail, Things to Do, Biking Trails, Hiking Trails, Nature Path, Best in North America for Mountain Biking | Westchester Blue Mountain Bike Trail

914-862-5275
  The Blue Mountain Bike Trail is located at the Blue Mountain Reservation in Peekskill. Cyclists can enjoy a day of fresh air and exercise in a safe and controlled environment. The trails total seven miles in distance and are geared toward three levels of skill. You can choose the level that best suits you. The trails wind through many diverse habitats of this beautiful 1538-acre park. Along the route you can view rock outcroppings, or rest and enjoy a picnic lunch near a secluded freshwater pond. Blue Mountain Bike Trail | Westchester  website and more . . .


Biking Trails | Peekskill Bike Paths | Westchester Biking Trails | Hudson Valley
Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Picnicking | Peekskill Picnic | Westchester Picnicking | Hudson Valley

Things to Do, Park, Camping, Cross-Country, Skiing, Horseback, Fishing, Hiking, Trail, Trails, Ice Skating, Mountain Biking, Nature Study, Playground, Picnicking, Sportsman Center, target shooting range, Winter Activities, Cross-Country Skiing | Westchester Blue Mountain Reservation

914-862-5275
  Blue Mountain Reservation is located at Welcher Avenue in Peekskill, New York. Blue Mountain is a 1500-acre park in the northwest section of Westchester County. It is primarily a passive park and features miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking, walking, nature study and more.

Blue Mountain offers challenging hikes to the top of two large peaks: Mt. Spitzenberg and Blue Mountain. The park contains a bathhouse and Trail Lodge, as well as two historically significant comfort stations. These comfort stations were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and are reminiscent of early 20th century National Park structures. Blue Mountain Reservation | Westchester  website and more . . .


Bird Watching | Peekskill Bird Watching | Westchester Audubon | Hudson Valley
Biking Trails | Peekskill Bike Paths | Westchester Biking Trails | Hudson Valley
Camping Grounds | Peekskill Campsites | Westchester Camping Grounds | Hudson Valley
Cross-Country Skiing | Peekskill Snowshoeing | Westchester Cross-Country Skiing | Hudson Valley
Equestrian Facilities | Peekskill Horseback Riding | Westchester Equestrian Facilities | Hudson Valley
Fishing | Peekskill Fishing | Westchester Fishing | Hudson Valley
Gardens, Nature Centers & Nature Trails | Peekskill Gardens & Nature Centers | Westchester Gardens, Nature Centers & Nature Trails | Hudson Valley
Hiking Trails | Peekskill Places To Hike | Westchester Hiking Trails | Hudson Valley
Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Ice Fishing | Peekskill    
Indoor and Outdoor Rinks | Peekskill Indoor and Outdoor Rinks | Westchester Ice Skating | Hudson Valley
Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Peekskill Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Westchester Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Hudson Valley
Parks | Peekskill Local and State | Westchester Parks | Hudson Valley
Picnicking | Peekskill Picnic | Westchester Picnicking | Hudson Valley
Playgrounds | Peekskill Playgrounds | Westchester Playgrounds | Hudson Valley
Target Shooting Range | Peekskill Target Shooting Range | Westchester Target Shooting Range | Hudson Valley

Briarcliff - Peekskill Trailway

914-864-7000
  The Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway is a 12-mile linear park that runs from Ossining (Route 9A and Ryder Road) north to the Westchester County's Blue Mountain Reservation in Peekskill. The trail is built on land originally acquired in 1929 by the Westchester Parkway Commission for the construction of the Briarcliff Peekskill Parkway. Briarcliff - Peekskill Trailway | Westchester  website and more . . .


Hiking Trails | Peekskill Places To Hike | Westchester Hiking Trails | Hudson Valley
Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Winter Activities | Peekskill Snowshoeing | Westchester Winter Activities | Hudson Valley

10566, Park, Peekskill Bay, Bear Mountain, Bear Mountain Bridge, Peekskill Celebration, great spot for a picnic, river watching, Things to Do, Picnicking, Scenic views | Westchester Charles Point at China Pier

914-734-7275
  China Pier at Charles Point Park, in the City of Peekskill, New York, Westchester County, provides an expansive view of Peekskill Bay on up to Bear Mountain, and the Bear Mountain Bridge. It was used by the Fleischmann Company to import the raw materials at its vast yeast and gin factory. Now, it hosts the tall ships during Peekskill Celebration and provides a great spot for a picnic and river watching. Charles Point at China Pier | Westchester  website and more . . .


Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Parks | Peekskill Local and State | Westchester Parks | Hudson Valley
Picnicking | Peekskill Picnic | Westchester Picnicking | Hudson Valley
Scenic Hudson Valley | Peekskill Scenic Hudson Valley | Westchester Scenic Hudson Valley | Hudson Valley

Children's Theatre, Peekskill, educational theater, original musicals, young audiences, the arts, magic of theater, children and youth, arts, about The Children's Theatre Company of Peekskill | Westchester Children's Theatre Company of Peekskill

914-930-6600
  The Children's Theatre Company of Peekskill is located at The Ford Theatre, 1031 Elm Street, Peekskill, NY in northern Westchester County. Children's Theatre Company of Peekskill | Westchester  website and more . . .


Performing Arts for Kids | Peekskill Performing Arts for Kids | Westchester Children | Hudson Valley
Philharmonic | Peekskill Jazz | Westchester Philharmonic | Hudson Valley
Contemporary Ballet | Peekskill Contemporary Ballet | Westchester Dance | Hudson Valley
Educational Programs for Kids | Peekskill Educational Programs for Kids | Westchester Educational Programs for Kids | Hudson Valley
Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Peekskill Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Westchester Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Hudson Valley
Theater 'Live' Performances and Concerts | Peekskill Live Theater | Westchester Theater 'Live' Performances and Concerts | Hudson Valley

10566, swim, walk, wooded trails, picnic, horseshoe court, Things to Do, Baseball, Basketball Court, Biking Trails, Bocce Ball, Fishing, Hiking / Walking, Horseback Riding, Horseshoes, Ice Skating, Picnicking, Playgrounds, Swimming, Winter Activities | Westchester Depew Park

914-734-7275
  Depew Park is located at 1 Robin Drive, Peekskill, NY 10566 in northern Westchester County.

From City of Peekskill: "Depew Park is home to the City Recreation Office. You can enjoy a swim in Veterans Memorial Pool or walk on the many wooded trails. Enjoy the picnic pavillion overlooking Lake Mitchell or play a game of horseshoes at the horseshoe court. There is also a basketball court, tennis courts, a bocce ball court and a playground." Depew Park | Westchester  website and more . . .


Biking Trails | Peekskill Bike Paths | Westchester Biking Trails | Hudson Valley
Equestrian Facilities | Peekskill Horseback Riding | Westchester Equestrian Facilities | Hudson Valley
Fishing | Peekskill Fishing | Westchester Fishing | Hudson Valley
Hiking Trails | Peekskill Places To Hike | Westchester Hiking Trails | Hudson Valley
Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Indoor and Outdoor Rinks | Peekskill Indoor and Outdoor Rinks | Westchester Ice Skating | Hudson Valley
Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Peekskill Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Westchester Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Hudson Valley
Parks | Peekskill Local and State | Westchester Parks | Hudson Valley
Picnicking | Peekskill Picnic | Westchester Picnicking | Hudson Valley
Playgrounds | Peekskill Playgrounds | Westchester Playgrounds | Hudson Valley
Playing Fields | Peekskill Playing Fields | Westchester Playing Fields | Hudson Valley
Swimming Pool or Lake - Outdoors | Peekskill Swimming Pool or Lake - Outdoors | Westchester Swimming Pool or Lake - Outdoors | Hudson Valley

10566, Park, basketball ball, basketball court, ballfield, relax on a park bench, children play in the playground, Things to Do, Benches | Westchester Franklin Park

914-734-7275
  Franklin Park is located on Franklin Street between Smith Street and Simpson Place, Peekskill, NY 10566 in northern Westchester County.

Enjoy a game of basketball ball on the basketball court, throw a ball around on the ballfield, or just relax on a park bench while the children play in the playground. Franklin Park | Westchester  website and more . . .


Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Parks | Peekskill Local and State | Westchester Parks | Hudson Valley
Playgrounds | Peekskill Playgrounds | Westchester Playgrounds | Hudson Valley
Playing Fields | Peekskill Playing Fields | Westchester Playing Fields | Hudson Valley

10548, Free Library, Peekskill, computing, Community Room, art exhibits, Adult Activities and Attractions, Parents and Kids, Children's Things to Do, Storytime, Winter Tales, Puppet Plays, attractions for kids | Westchester Hendrick Hudson Free Library - Peekskill

914-739-5654
  The Hendrick Hudson Free Library is located at 185 Kings Ferry Road, Montrose, NY 10548 in northern Westchester County. The library covers the towns of Buchanan, Verplanck, Crugers, Montrose, and parts of Cortlandt Manor, Croton, and the City of Peekskill. Hendrick Hudson Free Library - Peekskill | Westchester  website and more . . .


Educational Programs for Kids | Peekskill Educational Programs for Kids | Westchester Educational Programs for Kids | Hudson Valley
Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Library | Peekskill NYS Library | Westchester Library | Hudson Valley

10566, Center for Contemporary Art, Peekskill, NY, About Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art, Programs, Educational Programs, after-school partnership between HVCCA and the Peekskill Public School System, FAMILY ART DAY | Westchester Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art

914-788-0100
  Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art is located at 1701 Main Street, Peekskill, NY 10566 in northern Westchester County.

About Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art
The Center offers a 12,500 square foot exhibition space exhibiting the work of over 100 artists. The Center is dedicated to the development and presentation of exhibitions and interdisciplinary programs that enrich our understanding of contemporary art, its contexts, and its relationship to social issues. HVCCA is also committed to the enrichment of Peekskill, a multicultural community that has recreated itself as a major arts destination. Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art | Westchester  website and more . . .


Art Gallery | Peekskill Art Exhibits | Westchester Art Gallery | Hudson Valley
Educational Programs for Kids | Peekskill Educational Programs for Kids | Westchester Educational Programs for Kids | Hudson Valley
Educational Services | Peekskill    
Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Peekskill Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Westchester Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Hudson Valley
Museums - Hudson River Valley | Peekskill Museums - Hudson River Valley | Westchester Museums - Hudson River Valley | Hudson Valley
Museums - Kids | Peekskill Museums - Kids | Westchester Museums - Kids | Hudson Valley

10566, Park, playing basketball, kids, spray pool on a hot summer day, Things to Do, Basketball Court, Spray Pool | Westchester Lepore Park

914-734-7275
  Lepore Park is located on the western end of Main Street in Peekskill, NY 10566 in northern Westchester County.

Stop by to watch an evening basketball game or enjoy the spray pool on a hot summer day.

Enjoy playing basketball during the day or in the evening, or bring the kids to the spray pool on a hot summer day. Lepore Park | Westchester  website and more . . .


Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Parks | Peekskill Local and State | Westchester Parks | Hudson Valley
Playing Fields | Peekskill Playing Fields | Westchester Playing Fields | Hudson Valley

Magical, Peekskill, NY, Northern Westchester County, magician, older kids, theaters, schools, libraries, camps, festivals, birthday parties, kids | Westchester Magical Margo "Magician"

914-739-0546
  Magical Margo is located at 25 North Division Street, Peekskill, NY 10566 in northern Westchester County. As a Juilliard-trained classical oboist, Margaret played at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall. As a magician, she has performed thousands of shows at such diverse venues as The Magic Castle in Hollywood, a theme park in Japan, and a classroom in Cuzco, Peru.

Magical Margo  "Magician" | Westchester  website and more . . .


Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Peekskill Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Westchester Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Hudson Valley

Boat Ramps, Hudson River Boat Ramps, Fishing, Fishermen, Fish, Boats, Boating | Westchester Municipal Boat Launch Ramp Peekskill

914-737-3400
  Call for location of boat launch ramp, fees, and more information about the Peekskill Municipal Launch Ramp in Peekskill, NY. Municipal Boat Launch Ramp Peekskill | Westchester  website and more . . .


Kayaking | Peekskill Kayaking | Westchester Boating | Hudson Valley
Fishing | Peekskill Fishing | Westchester Fishing | Hudson Valley
Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley

Performing Arts Programs live performances Productions Musical Events Children's Kid's Theatre Classical Music Film  Plays Shows cultural educational programming northern Westchester  Putnam County films visual art exhibitions | Westchester Paramount Theater

914-739-2333
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About Paramount Theater: The Paramount Theater is located at 1008 Brown Street, Peekskill NY 10566 in the Northwestern tip of Westchester County.

From The Paramount: "Red House Entertainment LLC (“RHE”) was formed by Kurt Heitmann for the single purpose of reviving and operating the Paramount Theater in Peekskill, NY, as a vibrant downtown venue, to be supported by diverse and week-round programming, which unquestionably has the potential to be the “ultimate” venue in the Hudson Valley for Live Music and HD quality digital entertainment . . ." Paramount Theater | Westchester  website and more . . .


Performing Arts for Kids | Peekskill Performing Arts for Kids | Westchester Children | Hudson Valley
Philharmonic | Peekskill Jazz | Westchester Philharmonic | Hudson Valley
Contemporary Ballet | Peekskill Contemporary Ballet | Westchester Dance | Hudson Valley
Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Peekskill Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Westchester Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Hudson Valley
Cinema | Peekskill Cinema | Westchester Movies | Hudson Valley
Theater 'Live' Performances and Concerts | Peekskill Live Theater | Westchester Theater 'Live' Performances and Concerts | Hudson Valley

10566, Dog Park, Dog Park Rules, Unleash your dog, voice control, carry a leash, Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated, dog toys, City of Peekskill park rules apply, Park users and dog owners | Westchester Peekskill Dog Park

914-734-7275
  The Peekskill Dog Park, open from dawn to dusk, is located at 1795 Main Street, Peekskill, NY 10566 in northern Westchester County.

Dog Park Rules as listed on Peekskilldogpark.com Peekskill Dog Park | Westchester  website and more . . .


Dog Parks | Peekskill    
Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Parks | Peekskill Local and State | Westchester Parks | Hudson Valley

Hudson River public-library books newspaper titles audiocassettes videocassettes
Children's Activities Childrens Department children's-databases storytelling music 

Childrens-Library Kid's Corner Bookstore Local History | Westchester Peekskill Field Library

914-737-1212
  The Field Library, located several blocks from the Hudson River at 4 Nelson Avenue, is Peekskill's major information resource. As a full scale public library serving a population of approximately 22,000 Peekskill residents and 35,000 Town of Cortlandt residents, The Field Library boasts a collection of 80,000 books, over 300 different magazine and newspaper titles, and a wide variety of audiocassettes, compact discs and videocassettes. Peekskill Field Library | Westchester  website and more . . .


Educational Programs for Kids | Peekskill Educational Programs for Kids | Westchester Educational Programs for Kids | Hudson Valley
Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Library | Peekskill NYS Library | Westchester Library | Hudson Valley

10566, Museum, Peekskill, NY, Artist's District, restored Victorian building, Victorian houses, Victorian home, Art History at Yale, The Single Story, Peekskill NY,  Westchester County in the Hudson Valley | Westchester Peekskill Museum at Herrick House

914-736-0473
  The Herrick House is home to the Peekskill Museum, located at 124 Union Ave., in the business district on the edge of the Artist's District, Peekskill NY 10566, Westchester County in the Hudson Valley. The purpose of the Peekskill Museum is to collect, preserve, study, and interpret objects and documents pertaining to Peekskill and the surrounding area. Peekskill Museum at Herrick House | Westchester  website and more . . .


Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Peekskill Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Westchester Kid's Birthday Party Ideas | Hudson Valley
Museums - Hudson River Valley | Peekskill Museums - Hudson River Valley | Westchester Museums - Hudson River Valley | Hudson Valley

10566, Stadium, Louisa Street, baseball field, Hudson River, Games are played most evenings and weekends, concession stand | Westchester Peekskill Stadium

914-734-7275
  Peekskill Stadium is located at 30 Louisa Street, Peekskill, NY 10566 in northern Westchester County.

Peekskill Stadium is a state of the art baseball field complex overlooking the Hudson River. Games are played most evenings and weekends. Visit and enjoy the cool breeze off the River while you watch a ball game. Food is available at the concession stand. Peekskill Stadium | Westchester  website and more . . .


Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Parks | Peekskill Local and State | Westchester Parks | Hudson Valley
Playing Fields | Peekskill Playing Fields | Westchester Playing Fields | Hudson Valley

Pilates On Hudson

914-739-1178
 

Planet Fitness - Peekskill

914-930-1200
 

10566, Riverfront, Park, Hudson Highlands, kayakers, river watch, enjoy a picnic, kids, playground, special events, Things to Do, Picnicking, Playground, Scenic Views | Westchester Riverfront Green Park

914-734-7275
  Riverfront Green Park is located at 1 Robin Drive, Peekskill NY 10566 in northern Westchester County.

With a backdrop of the Hudson Highlands, kayakers, swans and occasional barges, this is an ideal spot to river watch, enjoy a picnic, or bring the kids to the playground. Many special events are held during the year. Call for more information about events at Riverfront Green Park. Riverfront Green Park | Westchester  website and more . . .


Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Parks | Peekskill Local and State | Westchester Parks | Hudson Valley
Picnicking | Peekskill Picnic | Westchester Picnicking | Hudson Valley
Playgrounds | Peekskill Playgrounds | Westchester Playgrounds | Hudson Valley
Scenic Hudson Valley | Peekskill Scenic Hudson Valley | Westchester Scenic Hudson Valley | Hudson Valley

10566, Park,,Lapolla Little League, playground and basketball courts, Things to Do, Basketball Courts, Little League Games, Playground | Westchester Tompkins Park

914-734-7275
  Tompkins Park is accessible from Main Street (Route 6) in Peekskill NY 10566, Westchester County. Tompkins Park is home to the Lapolla Little League. Games are played throughout the spring and summer; and a playground and basketball courts are accessible from the Park Street entrance. Tompkins Park | Westchester  website and more . . .


Hudson River Towns | Peekskill Hudson River Towns | Westchester Hudson River Towns | Hudson Valley
Parks | Peekskill Local and State | Westchester Parks | Hudson Valley
Playgrounds | Peekskill Playgrounds | Westchester Playgrounds | Hudson Valley
Playing Fields | Peekskill Playing Fields | Westchester Playing Fields | Hudson Valley



Peekskill
Westchester County
Hudson Valley

History of the City of Peekskill
"New Amsterdam resident Jan Peeck made the first recorded contact with the native tribal people of this area, identified at that time as the "Sachoes". The date is not certain (possibly early 1640s), but agreements and merchant transactions took place, which were formalized into the Ryck's Patent Deed of 1684. Peeck's Kil (meaning "stream" in Dutch) thus became the recognized name for this locale.

"European-style settlement took place slowly in the early 1700s. By the time of the American Revolution, the tiny community was an important manufacturing center from its various mills along the several creeks and streams. These industrial activities were attractive to the Continental Army in establishing its headquarters here in 1776.

"Though Peekskill's terrain and mills were beneficial to the Patriot cause, they also made tempting targets for British raids. The most damaging attack took place in early spring of 1777, when an invasion force of a dozen vessels led by a warship and supported by infantry overwhelmed the American defenders. Another British operation in October 1777 led to further destruction of industrial apparatus. As a result, the Hudson Valley command for the Continental Army moved from Peekskill to West Point, where it stayed for remainder of that war.

"Hawley Green, a resident of Peekskill during the Civil War era, was an African American citizen who voted, ran a downtown barber business, and owned several properties with his wife Harriet. Mr. Green was credited before and during the war with "helping many a slave brother on his way to Canada." Active assistance given by AME Zion Church members, Reverend Beecher, local Quakers and the Greens was part of the famous "underground railroad" of freedom in Peekskill during the 1800s.

"Peekskill's first legal incorporation of 1816 was reactivated in 1826 when Village elections took place. The Village was further incorporated within the Town of Cortlandt in 1849 and remained so until separating as a city in 1940."

History of the City of Peekskill is sourced from City of Peekskill, New York.

Art District in the City of Peekskill
"Peekskill is about 50 miles north of New York City. In the early 90s, the population was dwindling and the downtown area was becoming more vacant. The Common Council decided to make artist studios and galleries an important part of the City’s revitalization strategy.

"The city wanted to turn its unused downtown spaces into something useful. Similar to Lowell, MA’s strategy, in order to have a vibrant downtown area one must have a population living there, so that the activity does not only happen from nine to five. In creating spaces where artists both live and work, the city created a situation in which there would always be people downtown, 24 hours a day.

". . . Peekskill took an active role in pursuing displaced artists by taking out advertisements in So Ho art magazines and offering them low interest rates. This helped artists buy buildings and convert them into useful spaces. Once a few artists had moved to Peekskill, a buzz was created and more artists made the move north.

Today, the City of Peekskill has 80 artist/live work lofts. This includes the Peekskill Art Lofts opened in 2002. The Peekskill Art Lofts are an affordable 28-unit limited equity cooperative apartment complex built for qualified artists."

Art District in the City of Peekskill is sourced from City of Peekskill, New York.

History And Antiquities, Compiled 1841
The following covers "History and Antiquities", a general collection of interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, and anecdotes about Westchester County and its towns. When reading the following, keep in mind that this information was compiled from papers written about two hundred years ago and compiled in 1841. Population statistics and events have not been revised to reflect current events and perspective. We think this adds to the historical flavor and interest of the writings, giving a different perspective on much of this information and written in an "older world" writing style.

    Peeksville Village
    "Peeksville Village was incorporated in 1826. It is situated 12 miles north of Sing Sing, and immediately south of the southern termination of the highlands. An old engraving of Peekskill shows: The old Dutch Reformed and the Episcopal church are visible on the right; the Methodist and the Presbyterian church, having a small tower, are on the left. The elevated spire of the new Dutch Reformed church is in the central part of the view. Hudson River, with the towering highlands, is seen in the distance. The village represented is situated on an elevation 200 feet above the level of the river, half a mile from the landing, on both sides of a deep ravine. There are in the village a bank, 2 printing offices, 2 large iron foundries, etc. There is an academy, a large edifice, situated on a commanding eminence at the south. The village contains upwards of 200 dwellings and 2 churches for Friends, besides those mention above. There is a steamboat ferry at this place to Caldwell's landing, on the opposite side of the Hudson, two miles distant. Verplank's point an Continental village, places distinguished in the revolutionary ware, are within the limits of this town. This latter place, which had barracks for 2,000 men, was burnt by the British in October, 1777."

Source "Historical Collections of the State of New York , Published by S. Tuttle, 194 Chatham-Square, 1841

History of Pelham, Published 1900
When reading the following, keep in mind that this information was written many years ago. Population statistics and events have not been revised to reflect current events and perspective. We think this adds to the historical flavor and interest of the writings, giving a different perspective on "history" and written in an "old world" writing style.

    Peekskill
    "Thus Stophanus Van Cortlandt became the proprietor of nearly the whole of Westchester County along the Hudson from Crotoii Bay to the Highlands. In the interior his bounds, both at the north and the south, ran due east twenty miles to the Connecticut border (which border was, by the interprovincial agreement between Connecticut and New York, considered to be at a distance of twenty miles from the Hudson). But there were two strips of land above Verplauck's Point of which neither Van Cortlandt nor his heirs ever obtained the ownership. One was the so-called Ryke's patent, a tract called by the Indians Sachus or Sackhoes, embracing about eighteen hundred acres between Verplanck's and Peekskill Creek, whereon a large portion of the village of Peekskill has been built. This tract was bought from the Indians, April 21, 1685, by Richard Abramseu, Jacob Abramsen, Tennis Dekey (or DeKay), Seba, Jacob, and John Harxse, and soon afterward was patented to them for a quit-rent of " ten bushels of good winter merchantable wheat yearly." The name of Ryke's patent is Dutch for Richard's patent, so called after Richard Abramsen, the principal patentee, who later assumed the English name of Lent. Substantially the whole tract passed to Hercules Lent, Richard's son, about 1730. The second of the two strips on the liudson which always remained independent of the Van Cortlandt estate was a three-hundred-acre parcel fronting on the inner and upper part of Peekskill Bay, which was deeded, on April 25, 1685, to Jacobus DeKay " for the value of four hundred guilders, seawant," and which ultimately became the property of John Krankhyte (ancestor of the Cronkhites). Upon this strip is the Peekskill State Camp of Military Instruction."

    Source: History of Westchester County, New York: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Year 1900,
    Authors Frederic Shonnard, Walter Whipple Spooner,
    Publisher New York History Company, 114 Fifth Avenue, New York, 1900

History of Peekskill, Compiled 1940

    "Peekskill, 26.7 m. (120 alt., 17,289 pop.), on hills that slope abruptly down to the Hudson, remains surprisingly rural in spite of the constant streams of tourist and commercial traffic. It is still the trade town for farmers it has been for nearly two centuries.

    "The city takes its name from Peek's Kill, the creek along its northern boundary named for Jan Peek, a Dutch trader who settled on its bank in 1665. During the early years of the Revolution," American Revolution in Peekskill", staff officers and troops moved back and forth through the settlement on their way between the river landing and their points of duty. Thee was little industrial development until the latte part of the nineteenth centruy. The Standard Brands plant, manufacturing yeast and alcohol, among other products, provides employment for about 2,500 people.

    Chauncey M. Depew Park, in the center of the village, contains a statue of Depew, who was born in Peekskill in 1834 and was a lifelong resident. When Depew was 32 years old he was the attorney for Cornelius Vanderbilt's Hudson River & Harlem Railroad; . . . Unlike most men occupying his position as counsel and confidential adviser, he was fond of appearing in public and gained a wide reputation or oratory. His bon mots are still quoted, though he died in 1928.

    The Peekskill Military Academy, on Oak Hill, a broad plateau overlooking the Hudson, was founded in 1833 and now has an enrollment of 400. The Gallows Oak Tree, from which the Revolutionary spy, Daniel Strange, was hanged, still stands on the campus.

    The First Presbyterian Church, South St. east of Washington St., erected in 1846, is a handsome Greek Revival building. The front has flush boarding and the sides are clapboarded; heavy Doric pilasters frame the lower portion of the facade and tower.

      Right from Peekskill on Oregon Road, concrete-paved, to Van Cortlandtville, 1.9 m., which grew up around the Upper Van Cortlandt Manor Huse, still standing on a hill above Peek's Kill through much changed since it was built. This house, is now St. peter's School for boys, often sheltered Washington and other Revolutionary officers during the early years of the war when this area was a center of operations.

      In the hamlet is St. Peter's Church, an exceedingly simple structure built by the Van Cortlandts for the use of their tenants and opened in 1767. The straight-backed pew set aside for the family of the lord of the manor is unchanged; everyone else sat on rough-hewn benches.

      Left from the hamlet 0.5 m. and across the creek to Gallow Hill, where Edward Palmer, a Tory spy, was hanged in 1777 by order of General Israel Putnam. Beyond Gallows Hill, at 1.5 m. is the Site of Continental Village, a supply base that had barracks for 1,500 men. The barracks were burned by the British in 1777 and the site was not reoccupied until 1781.

    Peekskill to Eastern Junction with State 17; 20.7 m. US 6

    This section of US 6 crosses the Hudson, offering magnificent views of the river valley, and cuts across the northern area of Bear Mountain Section.

    West of Peekskill, 0 m., the road swings R. and L. on the Bear Mountain Bridge approach, a three-mile stretch carved through the rock directly above the Hudson River and affording splendid views of the Highlands; there are several parking spaces.

    At 1.7 m. is the junction with Camp Smith Road.

      Right on this road to Camp Smith, 0.3 m. (visitors' day, Sat. during July and Aug.) named for Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York. Here the State National Guard holds its summer encampment. Troops were prepared here for the Spanish-American and the World Wars. Many Peekskill residents remember the arrival of Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders, 'the aristocracy of the wild men of the West, and the wild men of the aristocracy of the East'."

Source: Excerpts from "New York, A Guide to the Empire State" , Compiled by workers of the Writer's Program of the Work Projects Administration in the State of New York, 1940 Albany

About Peekskill Today
There are many things to do and wonderful places to visit in the City of Peekskill, New York. Enjoy activities, attractions, and fine dining opportunities in Peekskill. Visit hiking trails in Peekskill, and antiques in Peekskill. If you enjoy the theater, be sure to visit Paramount Center in Peekskill. The Peekskill Paramount Center for the Performing Arts presented its first series of performances in the spring of 1982. Paramount Center is now a true center for the arts, with live performances, arts-in-education programs, films, and visual art exhibitions, serving over 50,000 people annually.

Children love going to the park and to the delight of kids and parents, the City of Peekskill offers several local parks for the kids and family. Select one of several terrific parks in Peekskill and enjoy watching the kids in the playground, or on a nature walk, or just relax and read a book.

When dining out, select from one of many excellent restaurants in Peekskill City, New York.

Peekskill, New York offers beautiful homes and excellent areas in which to live. Learn more about buying a home in Peekskill, New York, Westchester County.




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