Yorktown, New York

History

Yorktown has a rich historical heritage beginning with the earliest known inhabitants—Mohegan, Osceola, Amawalk, Kitchawan, and Mohansic peoples—after which local places were named. Most of Yorktown was part of the Manor of Cortlandt, a Royal Manor established by King William III for the Van Cortlandt family.

The Croton River, which runs through the southern part of Yorktown, was dammed by New York City to provide its first major source of clean and reliable water. The first Croton Dam was located in Yorktown and broke in 1842, causing significant damage to property and major loss of life.

During the American Revolution, Yorktown was of strategic importance, with the Pines Bridge crossing guarded by a regiment of Rhode Island troops made up mostly of African Americans, who were massacred at the Davenport House in Croton Heights. A memorial to them was erected at the Presbyterian Church in Crompond, New York. Major John André, a British officer who communicated with Benedict Arnold, ate his final breakfast at the Underhill House on Hanover Street just before his capture and eventual hanging as a spy.

In 1788, the township was officially incorporated as Yorktown, commemorating the decisive Revolutionary War Battle of Yorktown, near Yorktown, Virginia, on October 19, 1781.

Moving north after the battle of Yorktown, the French army camped at the site of today's French Hill Elementary School, where cannonballs and other relics have been found. Although rumors claim that George Washington passed through Yorktown, no factual records confirm this.

During the town's bicentennial in 1988, Yorktowners honored their historic heritage, including that of the 19th and 20th centuries, and commemorated their community's participation in events that led up to the birth and growth of the United States. A Bicentennial Committee reviewed the town's remaining historic sites and determined which should be preserved as a link between the Yorktown of yesterday and the Yorktown of tomorrow.

Geography

The north town line is the border of Putnam County, New York. The town of Somers borders Yorktown on the east, and Cortlandt borders Yorktown on the west. New Castle borders Yorktown on the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.3 square miles (102 km²), of which 36.7 square miles (95 km²) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²), or 6.57%, is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 36,318 people, 12,556 households, and 9,831 families residing in the town. The population density was 989.7 people per square mile (382.1/km²). There were 12,852 housing units at an average density of 350.2 per square mile (135.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.64% White, 3.04% African American, 0.14% Native American, 3.44% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.30% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.82% of the population.

There were 12,556 households out of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.1% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the town, the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $133,819, and the median income for a family was $154,984 (these figures had risen to $137,253 and $159,413 respectively as of a 2014 estimate). Males had a median income of $96,071 versus $75,899 for females. The per capita income for the town was $63,570. About 1.1% of families and 1.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Events

The town hosts the yearly Greasestock festival, a showcase of alternative fuel vehicles.

Railroads

Yorktown once had five stations along the New York and Putnam Railroad — Kitchawan, Croton Lake, Croton Heights, Yorktown Heights, and Amawalk. The railroad failed, was purchased by the New York Central Railroad, and was finally abandoned. The old right of way is now part of the North County Trailway, which runs north as far as Carmel, New York. There is currently no rail service in Yorktown, but there are multiple Metro-North Railroad stations nearby.

Buildings

Jefferson Valley Mall, the area's major shopping center, is located in Yorktown, in the hamlet of Jefferson Valley.

Business

The headquarters for Contractors Register is located in the Hamlet of Jefferson Valley. Contractors Register publishes The Blue Book for Building & Construction: www.thebluebook.com.

The main site of the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center is located in the Kitchawan part of Yorktown. US Postal Service mail for this site is collected at the US Post Office for Yorktown Heights, which makes it look like this site is located in Yorktown Heights.

The law office of Schoen & Peters Law, which represents Apple, Inc., is located in Yorktown.

Notable people

Communities and locations in Yorktown