Haverstraw (village), New York

Village of Haverstraw
—  Village  —

Coat of arms
Nickname(s): Bricktown, The Village
Motto: Et Libertas Natale Solum Fumus Patriae Igne Alieno Luculentior
Location of village within the town of Haverstraw and Rockland County, New York.
Village of Haverstraw
Location within the state of New York
Coordinates:
Country United States
State New York
County Rockland
Area
 • Total 5.1 sq mi (13.1 km2)
 • Land 2.0 sq mi (5.2 km2)
 • Water 3.1 sq mi (8.0 km2)
Elevation 30 ft (9 m)
Population (2000)[1]
 • Total 10,117
 • Density 5,078.8/sq mi (1,960.9/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 10927
Area code(s) 845
FIPS code 36-32754
GNIS feature ID 0952388
Website http://www.voh-ny.com/, http://www.HaverstrawLife.com/

Haverstraw is a village in the town of Haverstraw in Rockland County, New York, United States located north of Congers; southeast of West Haverstraw; east of Garnerville, New York; northeast of New City and west of the Hudson River at its widest point. The population was 10,117 at the 2000 census and 11,072 as of 2009.[1]

The village of Haverstraw is home to Rockland Community College – Haverstraw Extension and is part of the North Rockland Central School District. As of 2009 the mayor is Michael Kohut.[2]

The village has entered a period of revitalization, which coincides with the creation of the Harbors at Haverstraw Community and a sculpture trail which will follow the Hudson River shoreline. The Harbors at Haverstraw is situated on the southern end of the Village and above a neighborhood known as Dutchtown. Some residents have taken to calling the Harbors area the "South End." The State has funded $3 Million to the Revitalization project, which includes investments on the waterfront esplanade and a possible downtown streetscape project. Haverstraw is one of the more urban communities in Rockland County, which makes the Village an attractive place to live amongst former New York City residents, the artist community, and New Yorkers with Hudson Valley weekend homes. Because of this, the Village is currently in a state of transition as gentrification takes hold. Interest in the Village is fueled by its rich history and architecture, its vast Hudson River shoreline and natural amenities, its overall walkability and density, and trans-Hudson ferry service to Ossining and Metro-North Railroad with direct service to Grand Central Terminal.

Contents

History

< Before Dutch settlers traveled to the Hudson River Valley in the early part of the seventeenth century, the Rumachenanck people, a subset of the Lenape tribe, called the area home. In 1609, during one of the many voyages the Dutch financed in search of the Northwest Passage, Henry Hudson sailed the Hudson River, docking his ship in Haverstraw Bay. It was here that the Dutch declared the Hudson River as property of the Dutch.

Haverstraw was founded in 1666, but the village, known as Florus Falls and also as Waynesburgh, wasn't legally established until March 11, 1854 as the Village of Warren, after Joseph Warren a Major General who had died at the battle of Breed's Hill in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War.[3][4] Under an Act of the State Legislature, the name of the village was changed to "Haverstraw" on April 14, 1874 in order to retain Dutch roots and create a more defined sense of place.

The Village is one of the first to appear on maps of North America, listed as "Haverstroo," which means oat straw as an anglicized version of a Dutch word.

Strategically located on the Hudson River, the village was home to a number of skirmishes between the British Army and the Continental Army of the Americans during the American Revolutionary War.

Haverstraw was the site of the most grievous treason of the early years of the United States. During the night of September 19 and September 20, 1780, the English Emissary, Major John André, was rowed from the sloop-of-war Vulture to a beach below the Long Cove on the southern boundary of Haverstraw. The negotiations to sell the plans to West Point were not completed by dawn, and Benedict Arnold and André traveled to the Belmont House, owned by Thomas Smith and occupied by his brother Joshua Hett Smith, on the grounds of what is now Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, New York. The house has since been known as the Treason House.

95th New York Volunteer Infantry

The 95th New York Volunteer Infantry fought in the American Civil War under the command of Ulysses S. Grant, Major General James Samuel Wadsworth and Brigadier General Edmund Rice (general).[5] The companies were recruited principally: A, B, C, D, G and H in New York city; E in Brooklyn and New York city; F at Haverstraw; I at Sing Sing; and K at Carmel, Peekskill, Sing Sing and White Plains.[6] The infantry joined in the action of the Railroad cut on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. They fought many battles including Battle of Mine Run, Grant's Overland Campaign, Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Battle of North Anna, Battle of Cold Harbor and the Siege of Petersburg. They saw the war to the end including engagements in the Battle of the Weldon Railroad, Battle of Hatcher's Run, and the Appomattox Campaign.

"Brickmaking Capital of the World"

Commonly referred to as "Bricktown", Haverstraw was famous for its brickmaking, which was a major industry for the village. Brickmaking was so popular due to the clay formed by the Hudson River's water and the rich soil that lined Haverstraw's waterfront, that it was nicknamed the "Brickmaking Capital of the World". Many of the old brownstone and brick structures that were constructed in New York City in the late 1890s-early 1900s were composed of bricks manufactured by Haverstraw. At one point, in the early 20th century, there were more than 40 brickmaking factories lining the Hudson River within the village. Although brickmaking involved all the ethnic groups, 60 percent of the brickyard workers were African-Americans.

On the night of January 8, 1906, a landslide demolished a large residential portion of the village.  Firefighters responded immediately but faced enormous odds because of burst valves and water mains, gas explosions and hoses which periodically froze because of the cold night. The landslide, a pit about 150 feet deep, claimed five Haverstraw streets from Allison to Jefferson Roads, 21 buildings and the lives of 4 firefighters and 17 residents.  Despite the events, the village rebounded.  Eight years later, however, the Cleary-Newman murder case took place.  The village announced in 2007, the 101 anniversary of the landslide, that a memorial would be erected in honor of the victims of the landslide.

Brick Manufacturers 1910

These are the names of suppliers of bricks to New York City metropolitan areas in 1910 with the numbers of machines each manufacturer used as listed in Within These Gates by Daniel deNoyelles:[7]

  • Archer Yard No. 2 – 4
  • B. J. Allison & Co. – 7
  • Bennett, Mrs. William & Sons – 4
  • Brophy & Morrissey – 4
  • C. & G. A. Archer – 2
  • D. Fowler Jr. & Co. – 5
  • DeNoyelles Brick Co. – 13
  • Dunnigan, Mrs. F. L. – 3
  • E. N. Renn & Co. – 4
  • Everett Fowler – 4
  • Excelsior Brick Co. – 7
  • F. Brophy & Brother – 3
  • Fowler & Son – 6
  • Garner Brick Works – 6
  • J. Nicholson – 2
  • James Byrnes – 2
  • L. H. Washburn – 2
  • Lynch & O'Brien – 2
  • Lynch Bros. – 4
  • Malley Brick Co. – 7
  • Morrissey & Co. – 5
  • Peck Brick Co. – 6
  • Reilly & Tanney – 2
  • Riley & Marks – 4
  • Riley & Rose – 3
  • Shankey & Morrissey – 4
  • Snedeker Bros. – 2
  • T. McGuire & Son – 4
  • T. Shankey & Son – 4
  • T. Tanney – 4
  • Tanney & Coyne – 2
  • U. F. Washburn & Co. – 11
  • Washburn & Fowler – 3
  • Wood & Allison – 4

Other History

The brick industry continued to thrive until World War II, in which brick began to lose its value significantly. Shortly after, the village's main industry of brickmaking declined and left the village. The economic vitality of the village greatly decreased. Because of the amount of vacancies and the relatively inexpensive housing available, the village opened up to Hispanic migration, and the village has since become home to many Hispanic immigrant families since the 1950s. Many families of Hispanic descent take part in the village's festivals that take place annually. The Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival take place in the village's downtown in early June, the Dominican Day Parade and Festival occur in late August and in September, the multi-cultural festival is assembled.

In July 1920, New York Yankee outfielder Babe Ruth spent time in Haverstraw, to film a movie – Heading' Home. A local baseball field bears the Hall of Famer's name due to his visit.

George M. Cohan, the Father of Modern Broadway, had his debut playing the violin at the Waldron's Opera House on Broadway in the Village. The Cohan family stayed in Haverstraw during summer while making their rounds on the Vaudeville circuit. The Cohans lived on Division Street, next to a major clay pit in the Village. Cohan was influenced early in his life by the songs of the southern black clay diggers that worked down below the Cohan house in the clay pit. It is often said that Cohan mainstreamed ragtime and jazz through his Broadway tunes.

September 2004 marked the village's 150th anniversary, celebrated by a festival along the village's waterfront. The future of this river village gleams bright with a large revitalization project that revitalizes the downtown business district and develops its waterfront with a large residential project.

As a cost-saving measure, at midnight on January 1, 2006, the Village of Haverstraw Police Department was merged with the Town of Haverstraw Police Department.

Geography

Haverstraw is on the west bank of the Hudson River. Haverstraw Bay is the widest portion of the Hudson River. The bay is bordered by the village of Haverstraw and the village of Croton-on-Hudson, in Westchester County to the east.

Haverstraw is located at (41.196494, −73.96684)[8].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 5.1 square miles (13.1 km²), of which, 2.0 square miles (5.2 km²) of it is land and 3.1 square miles (8.0 km²) of it (60.75%) is water.

Neighborhoods

  1. The Bank Corner - Downtown Center
  2. The South End - the Harbors Community and surrounding residential areas
  3. Dutchtown - Riverside Avenue at northern terminus of the Hook Mountain Nyack Beach Trail
  4. Uptown - stately, residential district on Hudson Avenue and Hillside Avenue
  5. Little Italy - Warren Avenue and McKenzie Avenue
  6. Old Quarter - residential district on Front Street, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Street, bounded by Van Houten Street, Canal Street and Broad Street
  7. Bull Line Blaff - Jefferson Street and Clinton Street
  8. North Broadway - where Broadway meets Samsondale Avenue
  9. Village Mill - between Gurnee Avenue and Spring Street

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 10,117 people, 2,816 households, and 2,168 families residing in the village. The population density was 5,078.8 people per square mile (1,962.9/km²). There were 2,925 housing units at an average density of 1,468.4 per square mile (567.5/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 46.02% White, 12.07% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 34.70% from other races, and 5.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 59.29% of the population.

There were 2,816 households out of which 43.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 23.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.42 and the average family size was 3.82.

In the village the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $42,683, and the median income for a family was $44,881. Males had a median income of $31,503 versus $27,207 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,442. About 13.9% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 23.0% of those age 65 or over.

Haverstraw significantly has the largest Latino percentage in Rockland County, NY. Haverstraw originally mostly Puerto-Rican and Dominican community has seen an influx of other Hispanic groups including Mexicans and Ecuadorans in recent years.

See Also Rumachenanck (Native Americans)

Transportation

The River Subdivision runs through the Haverstraw as a freight-only line, which has an important passing siding located at milepost (MP) 35. The River Subdivision is the primary freight rail line between the New York City – Northeastern New Jersey metropolitan area and Albany. Today, the line is operated by CSX Transportation, the fourth railroad to do so. On an average day 20–25 trains pass through Haverstraw. Passenger service along the former West Shore Railroad line stopped in 1959,[9] although the former Haverstraw station building is still standing and currently serves as a law office.[10]

NY Waterway runs a commuter ferry from Haverstraw Village to Ossining from where there are commuter trains to Grand Central Terminal. A monthly uniticket for the Haverstraw–Ossining Ferry and the train is available from Metro North.

U.S. Route 9W and  US 202 run directly through the village.

Haverstraw Fire Department

The Haverstraw Fire Department, a village agency, is composed of five independent, volunteer fire companies that render all facets of fire protection to the village. They are: Rescue Hook and Ladder Co. #1,(On Fairmont.) General Warren Emergency Co. #2, (On Fairmont Ave.) Relief Hose Co. #3,(On Conklin Ave.) Cosgriff Hose Co. #4,(On Maple Ave) and Lady Warren Hose Co. No. 5 (On Broadway). In exchange for a body of manpower, the agency provides each company with equipment, quarters, and length of service awards. This department has pull boxes currently used along with a fire whistle (a Gamewell diaphone) that sounds the pull box number.

Tourism

Historical Markers

Landmarks and places of Interest

Festivals and Events

The following festivals and parades are celebrated in the Village of Haverstraw.

Sports

Notable residents

Resident Village Group & Local Media

RenewHaverstraw – A coalition of concerned Village of Haverstraw residents working together to better the village by addressing quality of life issues as well as actively engaging our elected village officials, at the board meetings, to address the needs of the village residents. A community blog, www.HaverstrawLife.com, has been online since 2006 documenting interesting history, current events, and the ongoing revitalization process.

Other

Notable people buried in Mount Repose Cemetery

References

  1. ^ a b c "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  2. ^ "The Village of Haverstraw Mayor's Message". http://www.voh-ny.com/mayor.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 
  3. ^ "Town of Haverstraw: History of Haverstraw: page 5". http://www.townofhaverstraw.us/toh_main.php?ourHistory=5&home=1&section=history&history=2. Retrieved 2010-11-07. 
  4. ^ de Noyelles, pp. 11–12
  5. ^ Ingmire, Lance W.. "95th New York Infantry". http://95thnewyorkinfantry.com/index.html. Retrieved 2010-10-28. 
  6. ^ 95th Infantry Regiment Civil War
  7. ^ deNoyelles, Daniel (1982). Within These Gates (The History of Brickmaking). pp. 282. ASIN B0006EAXHA. http://www.haverstrawbrickmuseum.org/exhibits.html. 
  8. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  9. ^ Knecht, James. "Comments On The West Shore from James Knecht". http://nyc.railfan.net/ws-jk.html. Retrieved 2010-11-04. 
  10. ^ "New York Collection Law, Collection Practice". http://www.nycollectionlaw.com/. Retrieved 2010-11-04. 
  11. ^ "De Harte Patent Marker". http://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=33217. Retrieved 2010-11-03. 
  12. ^ "Arts Alliance of Haverstraw". http://www.arts-alliance.org/. Retrieved 2010-11-04. 
  13. ^ Wagstaff, Sheena, ed (2004). Edward Hopper. London: Tate Publishing. p. 234. ISBN 1-85437-533-4. 
  14. ^ "Commander". United States Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c11/commander.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-04. 
  15. ^ "Medal of Honor citations Archive". World War I War Medal of Honor Recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/worldwari.html. Retrieved 2009-06-17. 
  16. ^ "Heather Duke – League of Professional Theatre Women". http://www.theatrewomen.org/heather-duke. Retrieved 2010-11-06. 
  17. ^ Demarest, William (July 14, 2010). "Rockland Tourism Director Heather Duke Dies at Age 67 – New City, NY Patch". New City Patch. http://newcity.patch.com/articles/rockland-tourism-director-heather-duke-dies-at-age-67. Retrieved 2010-11-06. 
  18. ^ "Rockland County Historic Preservation Board". http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/planning/historic_board.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-06. 
  19. ^ Derrick Lassic at the Internet Movie Database
  20. ^ "Obituaries: BERRIAN, JON ANDRE "JACK"". The Journal News. April 16, 2008. http://www.nyjnews.com/obituary/obit.php3?id=2495581. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 
  21. ^ "Obituaries: CASEY DR., THOMAS F.X.". The Journal News. December 8, 2009. http://www.nyjnews.com/obituary/obit.php3?id=2878374. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 

External links