History Of Bronxville NY
The Importance Events Of History Of Bronxville NY The Earliest Time The Settlement Of Earliest Colony Bronxville As Underhill's Crossing From Underhill's Crossing To Bronxville Era Under William Lawrence Bronxville As The Holy Square Mile The Historical Buildings St. Joseph's Catholic Church Bronxville Public Library US Post Office–Bronxville Bronxville Women's Club Lawrence Park Historic District Masterton - Dusenberry House Hotel Gramatan First Public School Of Bronxville History Of Bronxville, NYThe Importance Events Of History Of Bronxville NYThe Earliest TimeBefore the settlement of the William Lawrence on the land of Bronxville and before the arrival of White men there, this land was like the passage path of the New Yorkers. That time, the land of Bronxville was glorious with the natural beauty like orchard and farming fields. This was also a pathway for the people of Harlem railway as well as New York. Along with the river Bronx, this land was also have some kind of importance, but no one knew that it was going to become one of the most important metropolitan suburbs of the United States. That was a time, when the land of Bronxville was not called as Underhill's Crossing. That time, this hilly region was only used for crossing of travellers during travelling across the country hamlet.The Settlement Of Earliest ColonyThe land of Bronxville came out from the ashes like a glorious phoenix for rebirth; when it was transferred from the Mohican Indians to the White people who are native Americans of the nowadays America. It was started about the mid seventeen century which was the great push over for this land. The dane named as Jonas Bronck, was the one who purchased the land of Bronxville that time. This was also an era of the rise of the Bronxville. Like overall America, the Underhill's Crossing was also colonized under the supervision of the Whites. Not only this, the Indian tribes had formally named this land to the Whites. |
Bronxville As Underhill's CrossingThe 1666 was the year when the land was formally transferred to the Whites. However, after almost one century, the land was again occupied again with the two important figures of White community Morgan and Underhill. It might was the reason that this time, the land of Bronxville was called Underhill's Crossing due to the resident of this land. Not only this, the Underhill family was also the one who brought prosperity to this land by establishing the first factory on the farming land. Before the establishment of the factory, the main occupation of both of the family was farming and taking care of the natural orchards.The Underhill family was also the one who also gave rise to the farming land of Bronxville. Besides the factory of grist and saw, they also was the one who built the first bridge on the river of Bronx. This was also a time, the crossing pathway inspired travellers and locals to give this land name as Underhill's Crossing. Not only this, that first factory was the pioneer of the plenty of other factories which were built time to time on the land of Bronxville. Additionally, it is assumed that the main reason of the establishment of a variety of mills or factories at the Bronxville is that the land has the great irrigation system called Bronx river. It is not like this that Underhill was only family to give progress to the Bronxville, there are many names among Morgan family who were named with honor in the history of Bronxville NY. Moreover, this family is also have honor to be an ancient family of the land of Underhill's Crossing. The presence of Morgan and Underhill families also encouraged other prominent and wealthy families to come on this land established there. One of those prominent figures was Alexander Masterton. Although, his main purpose of arrival of that time's infamous stone cutter to the white marble of this land. That was the time of 1822 and the white marble was supplied by this stonecutter to the important cities and the builders to build their valuable magnum opus. Among those buildings, most of them destroyed during the war of 1812. However, the arrival of Masterton family also glorified the history of Bronxville NY by giving this land Ridgecroft. The Ridgecroft was the main house of the family, made by the real wood. From 1835-the year of completion of the house- 1959, this house have been remained residency of the main family of the Masterton. Another important family of the Bronxville of that time was the family of Robert Bolton. He was also the one who also has some kind of share in the development history of Bronxville NY. That time, that English man purchased many important properties of the Bronxville. The Brooke farm and house of Underhill's family were also included into the list along with many orchards and 150 acres land. The great stone building; the Dutch Reformed Church was also built by the denotation of the Bolton family. This church was also has great importance in the history of Bronxville NY. The population of the Underhill's Crossing was also increased with the arrival of railway passage on the land in 1844. The Harlem railway had the honor to provide the railroad to the Bronxville. However, it is also true that the history of Bronxville NY does not have the prominent figures in the first years of establishment of railroad, in which they train stopped frequently at the station of Bronxville. Even, there was none formal railway station for the Bronxville. On the other side, it is also true that the establishment of the railroad encouraged James Prescott Swain to establish there and develop the disoriented Underhill's mills among with the shore of Bronx river. The establishment of that merchant has the butterfly effect in the history of Bronxville NY, because it brought other merchants and other prominent families to arrive and established on the land of Bronxville. One of those merchants, the name of Alfred Ebenezer is written with honour in the history of Bronxville NY. The first axle factory of Bronxville was founded by him. Beside all of this progress, the Bronxville also started to have other kinds of facilities for its residence too before formally becoming Bronxville to Underhill's Crossing. For example, Francis W. Edmonds was the first artist of history of Bronxville Ny. Moreover, the history of Bronxville NY also has prominent first physician and industry too. Overall, despite the shortness of the era, the Underhill's Crossing was the time of Bronxville, which primary polished the today's Bronxville. From Underhill's Crossing To BronxvilleAfter the year of 1850, the Bronxville went through the great transformation which was its another steps towards the glorious development of today. This was the year, in which Bronxville got its name from Underhill's Crossing. That time, the Underhill family lost their influence and many of the heirs of that family left the land except Lancaster Underhill who later became Bronxville's postman and station master as well. However, this man also has some share in the history of Bronxville NY, because in 1852, one of the train station was his house.This was also the time of other development of the Bronxville. For example, the establishment of the first public school of Bronxville was also made after two decades of 1850. That time, Dewitts were the prominent figures of the Bronxville colony, who also denoted for the establishment of first public school. They were two brothers and also incorporators of the Bronxville. The now Sagamore road was almost managed by those brothers. Approximately between 1860-70, the first president of Bronxville; Francis Bacon also arrived there and he has the honour to build the wonderful house called; Dogwood Cottage. Those were also the decades, in which the now-magnificent and marvellous houses are started to appear on the history of Bronxville NY. The construction was in full peak until 1898, but still the architecture of the Bronxville is its prominent feature ot the village. After 1870, the Victorian entered into the Bronxville. It is wonderful to see that many of the beautiful homes of Bronxville are constructed in the Victorian styled. The Victorian residence of the Bronxville are the inspiration behind them. So, one should be thankful to them for their entrance into the history of Bronxville NY and giving this land design of wonderful houses. It was also the era, in which people are started to purchase small amount of land, instead of purchasing hundreds of acres land; a common occurrence in the Bronxville as the Underhill's Crossing. Among those newcomer Victorians, many of them were merchants and manufacturers who further progressed the village. Fredrik W. Kraft was also the name among those people who was the manufacturer of leather. He contributed in the development history of Bronxville NY in a way that his one established ternary provides quality leather to the country. His home is also known as Kraft Avenue now which is one of the historic place of the Bronxville. Besides, the credit of construction of the St. Joseph church, due to the donated money by the family of Kraft. Like the Kraft family, another family also entered into the history of Bronxville NY; Rockwell couple. This couple had a credit to found the Gramatan Spring company by finding the natural spring fountain; Another couple who have found the Four Corner of the Bronxville. The family was generous enough and denoted many of their land and money to the village. Not only this, they also encouraged citizens of Bronxville to have a business on their land by lending them their land either at cost or free of cost. After that, the caravan of the Bronxville's development has been extended like this and the citizens of Bronxville contributed into it. The most important thing, one can learn from the history of Bronxville NY that the residences of Bronxville were devoted enough to progress the region and this is a reason it progresses rapidly. Era Under William LawrenceMost of the credit of the development of today's Bronxville as the modern and wonderful suburban region goes to the drug manufacturer William van Duzer Lawrence. He was the man who changed the overall history of Bronxville NY. Approximately in 1890, this great entrepreneur set his eyes on the beautiful landscape of the Bronxville and decided to make it his home. He was behind the construction of beautiful and classy homes with magnificent architecture of Bronxville which is one of the main tourist attraction of the village of Bronxville.William Lawrence was not a formal founder or political figure of the Bronxville, but his name always is written in the golden words in the history of Bronxville NY. The construction development of the Bronxville was started, when Lawrence brought Prescott farm. Moreover, it is not like that the with the purchase of farm by Lawrence brought evolution around the streets of Bronxville. On the other hand, it was a difficult task to do at first. This is a reason, the progress was slow and only few number of houses have been built in first years of settlement of Lawrence family in the Bronxville. William A. Bates has the credit to design these great and wonderful houses with marvellous designed in the history of Bronxville NY. This architect was already a native of Bronxville. Beside the Bates, other great architects like Lewis Bowman, Stout and Root III had also contributed in the creation of beautiful homes of the Bronxville for William Lawrence. All of those homes and transformation of street around the property of Lawrence now called as Lawrence Park which is not only an alluring tourist attraction but also one of the major national inheritance of the village.
In the history of Bronxville NY, the name of Lawrence also attached with many prominent places of the Bronxville due to his generosity to donate his land and enthusiasm to make Bronxville a missing piece of paradise. He was the one who made the village of the Bronxville a suburb region with the country-styling housing society. Between late 19th century and early 20th century, he was also the one who owned almost overall real estate market of the Bronxville. The homes was designed in a way which can mingle with the natural beauty of Bronxville. It is irony that the homes were primarily designed for the people of middle class but the elegant design and sophisticated settings of the homes allure many rich people. Not only rich people, but many artists were also enticed by the beauty of this homes and have a residence there to create an inspirational masterpiece of theirs. Among those artists, the history of Bronxville NY has names like; the poet of wall street; Edmonds Clarence Stedman, a painter; William H. Howe, female writers; Kate Douglas Wiggin, Alice Wellington Rollins and so on. It was also the time, the Lawrence park is reminded as the district or colony of the artists in the history of Bronxville NY. Nowadays, when the tourist visit this place, they also remember that this place was once housed or visited by one of their favorite artists. William Lawrence is the great name in the history of Bronxville NY. Besides the Lawrence park, this man has credit to establish many other noticeable works like establishment of the Lawrence hospital, the Gramatan hotel and Sarah Lawrence college as well as his granddaughter found the perfect woman club at the Bronxville. Overall, the historians would never erase the name of Lawrence in the history of Bronxville NY. Bronxville As The Holy Square MileDespite the image of Bronxville as a great metropolitan suburban region, it is also true that it is called "The Holy Square Mile" due to its people's racism against Jews. Though, it is not a very well known fact that Jews are not allowed to have a residency in the Bronxville, but it is true. There are the research of a journalist who adopted the name of a Jewish person and tried out this theory. Amazingly, it was successfully proved that the name of "Holy Square Mile" is correctly written in the history of Bronxville NY, due to its anti-Jews policy. Not only this, the village also do not consider Jewish leader and do not vote them. Besides them, William Lawrence also claimed that he wanted to gather people, but village has a different kind of views about politics and religion. Though, it is ambiguous that why people of Bronxville do not allow Jews to have a home in the Bronxville, but either the reason is; it is absolutely true that this exotic village prohibited Jews to live there.The Historical BuildingsThe history of Bronxville NY will be uncompleted without the mentions of the great historical sights of the Bronxville. Some of them are mentioned below:St. Joseph's Catholic ChurchFredrik W. Kraft-manufacturer of leather- was behind the construction of this catholic church. During the early twentieth century, people of Bronxville started the need of a formal church. That time, Mr. Kraft has donated his land across his own home which is now called Kraft avenue. Besides him, many wealthy people donate money for its construction. Additionally, the gothic style interior and exterior design is created by the architect William H. Jones. The construction of this church has started formally in 1922 and completed in 1928. Now, this majestic building is also one of the sightseeing of the Bronxville.Bronxville Public LibraryThe first public library of the Bronxville was formed into the one room in 1875. That was the time, it also turned into Bronxville model school and later, a man started to donate his books which encouraged people to have their library. The history of Bronxville NY has witnessed that how every devoted citizen of Bronxville had contributed into building the public library of Bronxville which came into view in 1906. First it was formed into the two rooms of village hall. However, in 1913, it was expanded rapidly and it has been expanded since that year due to the people's love of books.US Post Office–BronxvilleThough post offices never have too much importance in any history. But, history of Bronxville NY has significant post office with a great history. Unlike other common post office, the building of this post office stood elegantly and designed by marvellous architect Eric Kebbon in 1937. This elegant building is made by brick limestone which is a rare occurrence to make the post office. This is a reason, tourist visit this place to have a majestic history of Bronxville NY.Bronxville Women's ClubThis club has a great deal of activities for the women to have a quality time. However, this club has held historical importance. Its construction has started and completed between 1927-28. Anna Bisand is the founder of this club who also has honour to be a daughter of William Lawrence. This club is still held the various kind of entertainment for both of the local and tourist women.Lawrence Park Historic DistrictOne cannot eliminate the mention of Lawrence Park Historic District in the history of Bronxville NY, because this is the region which holds most of the historical buildings of the village. This historical place has a valuable importance, because most of the artists did their work by inspiring the graceful beauty of this place. This area is also called Lawrence park, because the magnificent houses of the Lawrence's property have been included in this district. Overall, this place had been started to developed under the supervision of Underhill's family and Lawrence nailed it in his time.Masterton - Dusenberry HouseThe residence of Alexander Masterton; a stonecutter who has a significant role in the history of Bronxville NY has a reputation of historic site of the Bronxville. The first construction had completed of this house in 1830. The house is completed made of high quality wood and the architecture of this home is based on the style of Greek Revival. This house is also renovated in 1920 and preserved as a historic place to visit.Hotel GramatanThis hotel is found by the great entrepreneur of the Bronxville; William Lawrence. During the late 19th century, it was trend of real estate agents to build a hotel to lure the people and the great real estate trader Lawrence also kept alive the trend by establishing the foundation of Gramatan Inn in 1899. Unfortunately, this inn was burned down and fortunately the grandiose Gramatan hotel was formed on its place which becomes one of the most visited hotel of the country. After 1972, its reconstruction was started once again and now, it is favourite of all the tourists of New York.First Public School Of Bronxville1870 was the year, in which Bronxville was graced with the first public school. The land was donated by Dewitt brothers and it was a small school with limited facilities that time. However, it was improved in 1906 by the people of Bronxville who converted it into a brick building. Later, the school was also reconstructed with the growth of population and K-12 public school was formed in 1922, which is still present. |