Distance from Yorktown, NY to NYC: 35 Miles

The Yorktown, NY is a beautiful community in Northern Westchester County, New York, 35 miles from New York City, with 40 square miles of rolling hills, farmland, residential areas and light industry.

Yorktown, NY has a rich historical heritage beginning with the earliest known inhabitants  Mohegan, Osceola, Amawalk, Kitchawan and Mohansic - all familiar names of local places. The Mohegans of the Algonquin Nation lived within the present-day boundary of Yorktown.  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, NY, 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.

History

During the American Revolution, Yorktown, NY 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 the hamlet now known as Croton Heights. A memorial to the troops is located at the Presbyterian Church in the hamlet of Crompond. Major Andre, a British spy, ate his final breakfast at the Underhill House on Hanover Street just before his capture and eventual hanging.

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

Returning from the battle of Yorktown, the French Army camped at the current site of Yorktown's French Hill Elementary School, where cannonballs and other materials have been found. Although rumors hold that George Washington passed through Yorktown, no factual records confirm this.

Yorktown, NY 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, and finally abandoned. The old right of way is now part of North County Trailway which runs north as far as Carmel, New York. There is currently no rail service in Yorktown, but the stations of Croton-Harmon, Mount Kisco, Pleasantville or Cortlandt are 15-20 minutes away.

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Yorktown Heights, NY (10598) ~ Town of Yorktown

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