Near Yonkers in Westchester County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Westchester County
Historic New York
The rugged shore of the Hudson River and the rocky hills north of Manhattan did not encourage early settlement. Patents were issued in 1639 to Jonas Bronck (Bronx) and in 1646 to Adriaen Van der Donck (Yonkers). After the overthrow of Dutch rule in 1664, manorial patents were issued for Van Cortlandt, Phillipsburg, Pelham, Fordham and Scarsdale manors on which tenants paid a yearly quitrent. In the eighteenth century these were subdivided, but large landholdings prevailed.
In the revolution General Washington’s troops retreated from Long Island and Harlem Heights through the British at White Plains October 28, 1776, and then crossed the Hudson River to New Jersey. New York City remained in British hands and Westchester was largely Loyalist in sympathies. In 1779, New York State confiscated the lands of leading Tories but the pattern of large estates remained after the revolution some owned by patriot leaders such as Pierre Van Cortlandt, John Jay and Gouverneur Morris.
Riverfront and picturesque valleys became sites for homes of prominent New York families while artists and writers like Washington Irving found here a romantic setting. Population increased ,with many residents commuting by a network of railroads and highways to New York City.
Erected 1963 by Education Department, State of New York, NYS Thruway Authority. (Marker Number 11.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Notable Places • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the Historic New York State series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 28, 2010.
Location. 40° 59.077′ N, 73° 51.166′ W. Marker is near Yonkers, New York, in Westchester County. Marker can be reached from Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway (Interstate 87 at milepost 6), on the right when traveling north. Located northbound between exit 6A and exit 7. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hastings on Hudson NY 10706, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Billie and Flo (approx. 1.3 miles away); Road Leading to Burkely Crest (approx. 1.4 miles away); Billie Burke's Reflecting Pool (approx. 1.4 miles away); Old Bridge and Reflecting Pool (approx. 1.4 miles away); School Days / Los Días de Clase (approx. 1.4 miles away); Olinda (approx. 1.4 miles away); Draper Park (approx. 1.4 miles away); Forge Cottage / La Fragua (approx. 1.4 miles away).
More about this marker. Situated in front of the Ardsley Travel Plaza building.
Also see . . . Westchester County, New York. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 18, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional keywords. Ardsley,NY
Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2010, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Warwick, New York. This page has been viewed 1,046 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 30, 2010, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Warwick, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.