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Nyack is a village in Rockland
County, New York, United States. The village straddles the border
of the Town of Orangetown and the Town of Clarkstown. It is situated
on the west bank of the Hudson River, directly across from Tarrytown,
New York. Nyack had a population of 6,737 as of the 2000 census.
Piermont is a village in Rockland
County, New York, United States. Piermont is in the Town of Orangetown,
located on the Hudson River near the New Jersey border. Piermont
was built The population was 2,607 at the 2000 census. The name
is derived by combining a natural feature and man-made feature of
the village.
Palisades is a hamlet and is part
of the Town of Orangetown, located in southeastern Rockland County,
New York. It borders the Hudson River to the east, Rockleigh and
Alpine New Jersey to the south, Tappan to the west, and Sparkill
to the north. The hamlet has no mayor, nor any official legislative
bodies. It does, however, have its own library, and post office,
with the zip code 10964. It is almost entirely residential with
the exception of a small industrial area section on the Tappan border.
The area commonly referred to as Snedens Landing, is located within
the eastern portion of Palisades between US Route 9W and the Hudson
River.
The hamlet has a registered historic district known
as the Closter Road - Oak Tree Road Historic District. The district
is comprised of the area from the north side of Closter Road and
south side of Oak Tree Road approximately 1/2 mile west of US Route
9W in Palisades. (List of Registered Historic Places in Rockland
County, New York)
The hamlet's significant institutions include an
IBM conference center, the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (of
Columbia University), and a well-regarded nursing home.
It is the southernmost community in Rockland County,
only a 15-20 minute drive to the George Washington Bridge.
For detailed information on "Dining, Leisure, &
Life" in Nyack & Piermont, be sure to visit our "Dining,
Leisure, & Life" page, written by world-renowned food
critic Damien Burroughs.
Nyack History
Nyack was originally settled by Native Americans known
locally as the Nyack Indians, from whom the village takes its name.
Stone Indian relics and heaps of oyster shells found
along the shore of the Hudson indicate this was a favorite fishing
spot of the natives. In 1675, the first white man settled in Rockland
County at Nyack. Three major industries once thrived here: sandstone
quarrying for New York City building (ca. 1800-40), boat building
- sloops, steamboats, and then pleasure craft and WWI & WWII
submarine chasers (ca. l8l5-l948), and shoe manufacturing (ca. 1828-1900).
Nyack was incorporated as a village in 1782.
Subsequent Nyack History
Nyack is one of five villages and hamlets (Nyack, Central
Nyack, South Nyack, Upper Nyack and West Nyack) that make up an
area of southeastern Rockland County called The Nyacks. Named after
the Native Americans who resided here prior to colonization, the
village itself lies on the hilly terrain that meets the western
shore of the Hudson River.
The village consists mostly of low-rise buildings
that lie along the western shore of the Hudson River. Throughout
the 18th century and 19th century, Nyack was known for its shipbuilding
and was the main commercial center of Rockland County. In the 19th
century, a number of factories manufactured shoes. The West Shore
Railroad connected the village with Weehawken, New Jersey, where
ferries took passengers to New York City, until it was discontinued
in the second half of the 20th century. Though its population is
not so great, it is relatively dense considering that the village
of Nyack only takes up a total area of approximately 1.6 square
miles (4.1 square kilometers), with over 50% of the area consisting
of the water of the Hudson River. Despite being somewhat densely
populated during the early 20th century, it wasn't until the completion
of the Tappan Zee Bridge that the population increased and its commercial
sector expanded. The village of Nyack is in the Nyack School District.
In the 1980s, the village underwent a major urban
revitalization project to commercialize the downtown area and to
expand its economy. It was at that time when the Helen Hayes Theater
was built and the downtown area became home to many new business
establishments.
Piermont History
Sparkill Creek cuts through the north end of the Hudson
Palisades, providing easy access to the fertile valley of the unnavigable
upper Hackensack River. "Tappan Landing," "Tappan
Slote," or "Taulman Landing," as the little port
was called, thus became the original port for southern Orange County.
The valley in the Palisades created by the creek also provided a
way for the Erie Railroad to easily reach the Hudson, and the railroad
built a long pier in 1839 as its principal terminal. The pier and
the nearby mountains suggested a new name for the community, which
was incorporated as a village in 1850. The pier was a major embarkation
point for World War II troops traveling from Camp Shanks to the
European Theater.
The rail branch was abandoned in the 1970's as a
result of railroad consolidation. Late in the 20th century, Piermont
became a modest tourist attraction for day-trippers from New York
City, particularly those bicycling on Bike Route 9.
Nyack Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,737 people, 3,188
households, and 1,511 families residing in the village. The population
density was 8,749.1 people per square mile (3,378.1/km2).
There were 3,288 housing units at an average density of 4,270.0/sq
mi (1,648.7/km2). The racial makeup of the village was
63.81% White, 26.33% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.42%
Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.66% from other races, and 4.56%
from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.56%
of the population.
There were 3,188 households out of which 20.5% had
children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.0% were married
couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no
husband present, and 52.6% were non-families. 42.3% of all households
were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who
was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10
and the average family size was 2.93.
In the village the population was spread out with
19.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to
44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7
males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.
The median income for a household in the village
was $54,890, and the median income for a family was $69,146. Males
had a median income of $50,043 versus $35,202 for females. The per
capita income for the village was $32,699. About 2.2% of families
and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including
6.3% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
Nyack is also home to Modern Metro Studios and Rockland
World Radio, which includes a 49-seat multimedia black box theatre
in the historic F.W. Woolworth Way Building. The Village of Nyack's
Mayor John Shields hosts a weekly radio program on the station.
Piermont Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,607 people,
1,189 households, and 672 families residing in the village. The
population density was 3,878.9 people per square mile (1,502.3/km2).
There were 1,320 housing units at an average density of 1,964.0/sq
mi (760.7/km2). The racial makeup of the village was
78.75% White, 4.72% African American, 0.19% Native American, 7.79%
Asian, 5.49% from other races, and 3.07% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.62% of the population.
There were 1,189 households out of which 25.0% had
children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married
couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband
present, and 43.4% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were
made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was
65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and
the average family size was 2.87.
In the village the population was spread out with
19.2% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to
44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5
males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.3 males.
The median income for a household in the village
was $61,591, and the median income for a family was $89,846. Males
had a median income of $50,659 versus $43,176 for females. The per
capita income for the village was $43,731. About 3.0% of families
and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including
11.5% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.
Interesting Notes on Nyack
Historical Markers
- First Milestone from Nyack - Route
59 near Mountainview Avenue
- Couch Court - 46 South Broadway
- Edward Hopper House Art Center -
82 North Broadway
- First Reformed Church - 18 South
Broadway
- Historic Underground Railroad - 298
Main Street
- Historic Underground Railroad - 176
Main Street
- Memorial Park - Piermont & DePew
Avenues
- Liberty Street School, Cornerstone
Placement, Depew Avenue near Liberty Street
- Nyack First Settlement - 17 South
Broadway
- Nyack Library - 59 South Broadway
- Oak Hill Cemetery - 140 North Highland
Ave
Landmarks & Places of Interest
- Edward Hopper House Art Center - 82 North Broadway
- This home of the realist painter Edward Hopper was built in
1858. One room is devoted to materials about Hopper’s work
and life in Nyack. Three other rooms provide space for monthly
exhibits by local artists. The restored garden is the setting
for jazz concerts on summer evenings.
- John Green House - Main Street - Built in 1817
by John Green of local sandstone, now covered with stucco, painted
yellow. This is the oldest house standing in Nyack. Green started
the first lumber yard in Nyack and later opened a store. House
is a private residence.
- Julius Petersen Inc. - Foot of Van Houten Street
- Old Nyack families held ownership of the yard. The John Van
Houten Family, owners since the early 1800’s, originally
founded the yard. Then James P. Voris and passed it onto Samuel
Ayers and finally it was purchased in the 1940’s by Julius
Petersen who built government crafts during the war effort. Young
Edward Hopper spent time drawing and sketching here.
- Nyack Library (Large collection of photographs,
clippings and printed material on history of the Nyacks in 1903
Carnegie Library building.) - 59 South Broadway
- Nyack - Tarrytown Ferry - Foot of Main Street
- Begun 1834 by Isaac S Blauvelt on vessel named "Donkey,"
an anglo corruption of Dutch "donk ya," or 'thank you."
Ferry remained in service until the opening of Tappan Zee Bridge
in the l950's. This spot was also the start of the Nyack Turnpike,
first direct highway across Rockland County.
- Oak Hill Cemetery - 140 N. Highland Avenue (Rte.
9W) - 1840-present. Dedicated on June 27, 1848, it reflected a
change from small family and religious burial grounds to community
cemeteries. Graves include founders of Nyack, playwright Charles
MacArthur and his wife, actress Helen Hayes, scientist and inventor
William Hand, and artist Edward Hopper.
- Red Cross Center - 143 North Broadway, A distinctive,
cross gable Queen Anne Style architecture building, built by Julia
and Garret Blauvelt, a physician, surgeon and director of Nyack
Hospital in 1882 and given to the Red Cross in1915. During World
War I, World War II and the Korean War, the center was a hub for
food and blood drives, gathering of clothes and supplies for shipment
overseas. Helen Hayes, who lived nearby was chairwomen of the
war fund drive during WWII. Camp Shanks, one of the military's
major wartime staging areas, rely heavily on the Red Cross volunteers
and services. Today the center continues to provide clothing,
food and shelter in times necessity and emergencies. The center
also provides certification courses in first aid & lifesaving
skills since 9/11.
- River Rowing Association (RRA) - In 1881 Julian
O. Davidson, a local artist and marine painter, founded the Nyack
Rowing Association (NRA), which dedicated to the sport of sculling
(two-oared rowing). The grand boat house, built in 1882 was design
by William Smith and built in the "Stick Style" architecture
found in many river homes in the village. Today the RRA is envisioning
creating a permanent community rowing and padding center in Nyack
where people from all walks of life can enjoy access to the Hudson
River.
- Tappan Zee Playhouse Site - 20 South Broadway
- United States Post Office - 48 South Broadway
Camps
- Camp Ramah Day Camp in Nyack is located in Nyack.
Notable
Residents
- Joseph Alessi - trombonist
- Stephen Baldwin - actor/producer
- Dennis Boutsikaris - actor
- Ellen Burstyn - actress
- Joseph Cornell - artist
- Russell Crowe - actor
- Jonathan Demme - film director
- Horton Foote - playwright/screenwriter
- Helen Hayes - actress
- Edward Hopper - artist
- Van Johnson - actor
- Princess Vera Konstantinovna of Russia, one of
the last Russian Princesses and one of the only ones to survive
the revolution
- Charles MacArthur - playwright
- Carson McCullers - author
- Greg Mitchell - editor of Editor & Publisher
(E&P)
- Larry Mullen Jr - musician
- Rosie O'Donnell - actress/comedian
- Harold Perrineau - actor
- Michael Rumaker - author
- Coheed and Cambria - American progressive rock
band
- Glint - American cosmic rock band
- Bill Irwin - actor
- Noah Michael Levine - actor, writer
- Jordan Rudess - musician
Interesting Notes on Piermont
Historical Markers
- Bogertown - 102 Paradise Avenue
- Sneden House - 38 Paradise Avenue
- Dederer Stone House or Stonehurst
Landmarks & Places of Interest
- Dederer Stone House or Stonehurst
- Haddock’s Hall - 300 Ferdon Avenue
- Onderdonk House - 758 Piermont Avenue
- Piermont - Formerly Tappan Landing. Tappan Slote
("Slote" is Dutch for "ditch," referring to
cut passage through marshy mouth of Sparkill Creek: "kill"
is Dutch for "creek"). Served as eastern terminus of
New York & Erie Railroad, completed from here to Dunkirk,
New York in 1851, then the longest trunk line in U.S. Still remaining
is 4000-ft.-long pier into Hudson River once used for loading
and unloading trains and boats. One can walk, or drive with a
pass, to end of it. Tallman Mountain State Park to the south.
A backer and first president of railroad, Eleazar Lord, built
a stone mansion. "The Cedars." now called "The
Castle," on mountainside overlooking Piermont. Private residence.
- The Piermont Historical Society
- Rockland Road Bridge - between Piermont &
Ferdon Avenue
- Sneden House - 38 Paradise Avenue
- Sparkill Creek Drawbridge - Bridge Street
Interesting Notes on Palisades
Historical Markers
- Skunk Hollow, (North of entrance
to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory) Route 9W.
Cliffside
- Closter Road-Oak Tree Road,
- Washington Spring Road, Woods Road
Historic District
Landmarks & Places of Interest
- Abner Concklin House,
- Big House,
- Haring-Eberle House,
- Little House
- Sneden's Ferry - The Sneden family operated a
ferry at Sneden's' Landing along with Jeremiah Dobbs, who operated
from the opposite shore Dobbs Ferry, New York. Begun by Dobbs
in 1898. the ferry service was one of the oldest in 'the region
and continued until 1944. In 1775. when Martha Washington drove
from Mount Vernon to Cambridge, Massachusetts to meet her husband,
venerable ferry mistress Molly Sneden (1709-1810) piloted her
across the Hudson River.
- Neiderhurst
- Seven Oaks
Famous People Born in or Resided in Palisades
- Mikhail Baryshnikov, Dancer, Choreographer, and
Actor
- Lorraine Bracco, Actress, The Sopranos
- William Hurt, Actor
- Angelina Jolie, Actress, resided there from 1976-1986
- Bill Murray, Actor and Comedian
- Al Pacino, Actor
- Hayden Panettiere, Actress and Singer, Heroes
(TV Show)
- Jansen Panettiere, Actor
- Aidan Quinn, Actor
- Pinchas Zuckerman, Violist
Offical Rivertown Links
*All information excerpted from Wikipedia.
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