Our North – Chappaqua

Every corner of Westchester North has something unique to offer and the “rustling” and “rattling land” of Chappaqua is a small town with a big feel. One of the hamlets of the Town of New Castle, it is truly fit for Kings and Queens.

Just 35 miles north of Manhattan this quaint village is more than a stop off the Metro-North Railroad. You’ll find plenty to do, great eateries and cafes, and a diverse collection of specialty shops.

Historic highlights include:
(text source http://www.mynewcastle.org/249/History-Highlights)

1609 Henry Hudson explores the Hudson River

1696 Caleb Heathcote purchases a large tract of land including what is now New Castle from Wampus and other Native American sachems

1730 Quakers begin settling in the northern and western parts of North Castle, which will become New Castle.

1753-4 Quakers build meetinghouse on Quaker Road

1776 Following the Battle of White Plains, the Quaker meetinghouse is used as a hospital for wounded soldiers of Washington’s army

1791 New Castle is divided from North Castle and becomes a separate town

1846 The New York and Harlem Railroad, later the Harlem Division of the New York Central Railroad, reaches Chappaqua

1853 Horace Greeley begins buying property in what is now downtown Chappaqua

1872 Horace Greeley runs for president against incumbent Ulysses S Grant

1881 The New York and Northern Railroad, later the Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad, reaches Merritt’s Corners, now Millwood

1902 Opening of the present Chappaqua railroad station, on property donated by Horace Greeley’s daughter, Gabrielle Greeley Clendenin

1904 A tornado sweeps across Quaker Road between the Sutton Reynolds house south of Gray Rock Lane and the Dodge house north of Marcourt Drive

1912 The first central water system is installed in Chappaqua

1914 Dedication of the Horace Greeley memorial statue

1918 Dedication of Liberty Ship USS Chappaqua

1929 Opening of the Horace Greeley School, now the Robert E Bell Middle School

1930 Celebration of the Chappaqua bicentennial. Opening of the railroad bridge

1934 The Saw Mill River Parkway reaches Chappaqua

1939 The Reader’s Digest moves its headquarters to Chappaqua

1957 Opening of the present Horace Greeley High School

1958 Service ends on the Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad

1966 Founding of the New Castle Historical Society

1999 President Bill Clinton and future Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton make their home in Chappaqua

2000 Opening of the restored Horace Greeley House