Peekskill in the
19th Century…

Place your mouse cursor over the map to see how Peekskill has changed.
Click on the map to see what's on the drawing board.

According to Chester Smith’s book... Peekskill, A Friendly Town: Its Historic Sites and Shrines: A Pictorial History of the City from 1654 to 1952; Seven things led to the founding, development, and success of the City of Peekskill:

1. The friendship of the Kitchawank Indians made it safe for the first settlers to build their community, ply their trade freely and prosper.
2. The natural geography of Peekskill Bay encouraged the construction of wharves, docks, sloops and schooners, fostering trade with New York City.
3. The “Queen's Highway” from New York City to Albany brought Peekskill into contact with the outside world.
4. When Ryck’s Patent was subdivided in 1733, more than 16 families of Dutch and English descent purchased the parcels. They built wharves, docks, taverns, blacksmith shops and, most importantly, homes. Peekskill’s population grew from about 30 residents in 1712 to more than 200 by 1775.
5. With the 1851 discovery of the Todd & Croft iron mines North of Peekskill, local foundries prospered and Peekskill became a center of stove manufacturing.
6. The coming of the railroad in 1849 allowed residents to commute to White Plains and New York City.
7. Westchester County Parkways brought Peekskill nearer to New York City; the Bear Mountain Bridge opened Peekskill to the West; the Taconic Parkway to the south, particularly to White Plains, the county seat.

Not since item #7 in 1931, when the City had 17,200 citizens, has Peekskill witnessed a revival. The time for the 8th revitalization has arrived.

From Atlas of New York and Vicinity
Maps "from actual surveys by and under direction of F.W. Beers."
Published by F.W. Beers, A.D. Ellis, and C.G. Soule., 1867.