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Briarcliff Manor, New York
Village
Briarcliff Manor
A medley of different scenes to represent the diversity of the village. At top is a photo of the village's high school. Above center, right shows the Village Pool as part of Law Memorial Park. Below center, right shows Briarcliff's All Saints' Episcopal Church. At the bottom is the Village Library that was once Briarcliff's train station. Center, left shows the Central Business district with Briarcliff's Pocket Park and Clock.
Clockwise from top: Briarcliff High School; the Village Pool at Law Memorial Park; All Saints' Episcopal Church; the Briarcliff Manor Village Library; the Central Business District with the Village Clock.
Etymology: an Irish family home
Nickname: 
Briarcliff
Motto: 
a village between two rivers
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
CountyWestchester
Founded byWalter William Law
Government
 • MayorWilliam J. Vescio
Population
7,867
Time zoneUTC-5 (North American Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
10510
Area code914
FIPS code36-08103
GNIS feature ID2391558
Websitewww.briarcliffmanor.org

Briarcliff Manor is an affluent suburban village in Westchester County in the state of New York. It is geographically shared between thetowns of Mount Pleasant and Ossining, and lies entirely within the ZIP code of 10510. It is located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, less than 30 miles (48 km) north of midtown Manhattan in New York City, and is served by the Scarborough station on the Metro-North Hudson Line. As of the 2010 census, the village population was 7,867, over 93% of whom lived in the Town of Ossining. Briarcliff Manor includes within its boundaries the communities of Scarborough and Chilmark.

The village motto is a village between two rivers. This describes the village's origin of being located between the Hudson and Pocantico rivers. The Pocantico River is the official dividing line between Mount Pleasant and Ossining, but since its incorporation, the village borders have cut somewhat into the borders of the town of Mount Pleasant. The village, established and funded substantially by Walter William Law throughout the 20th century, has grown from the 331 people required to be an established village to the 7,867 residing there, as of the 2010 census.

History edit

Toponymy edit

The name Briarcliff Manor derives from the name Brier Cliff, a combination of the English word Cliff and a variant of the English word Briar. The name originated in Ireland, as the name of the family home of Reverend John David Ogilby, a professor of ecclesiastical history at the General Theological Seminary. The professor later named his New York summer homeBrier Cliff. James Stillman later called his 236-acre farm by the name of Briarcliff Farm. In 1890, Walter Law bought Briarcliff Farm, and adopted the name Briarcliff for all of his property. Law eventually changed the name to the current Briarcliff Manor, because his friend Andrew Carnegie would refer to Law as the Lord of the Manor.[1][2] The village and its name were approved by the village residents on September 12, 1902, by means of an election. This name was generally preferred by Briarcliff's residents over other proposed names, including Sing Sing East.[3] On November 21, 1902, the Village of Briarcliff Manor was established.[4]

Briarcliff Manor is also referred to by several other names. It is colloquially called Briarcliff by people in and around the village; it is often erroneously called Briar Cliff Manor, although historically there has been little distinction.[5][6][7] It is also referred to more formally asthe Village of Briarcliff Manor.

Early history edit

Briarcliff Manor has been inhabited by humans since the Archaic period, as Louis Brennan and other archaeologists discovered upon investigation of areas in Scarborough in the 1960s and 1970s. The archaeologists found and dated oyster shells, stone tools, and slings, most of them to the Archaic period of 8000 to 1000 BC.[4]

In the precolonial era, the area of present-day Briarcliff Manor was inhabited by a band of the Wappinger tribes of Native Americans, known as Sint Sincks or Sing Sings. The tribe spoke coastal Munsee, and called themselves Lenape, or the People.[4]They owned territory as far north as the Croton River, while the Wappingers held land as far north as the Roeliff Jansen Kill, the boundary between the Wappinger and Mahicantribes.[1][8][9] On 4 August 1685, Dutchman Frederick Philipse purchased a stretch of land extending from the Spuyten Duyvil Creek along the Hudson River to the Croton River. In 1765, the Wappingers attempted to sue the Philipse family for control of the land but failed. The Wappinger claim to the land sufficiently died out after around fifty of their tribe, organized into the Stockbridge Militia under Abraham Nimham and his father Daniel Nimham, were killed by British forces in the Battle of Kingsbridge in the American Revolutionary War.[10][11] The Philipses also lost their claim to the land because of the Revolutionary War. The family, which was loyal to the British Government during the American Revolution, had their property confiscated and sold in 1784-85.[3] The area remained largely unsettled until after the American Revolution, and in 1693, fewer than twenty families lived in the 50,000 acre area of Westchester that included that which is now Briarcliff.[4] It became known as Whitson's Corners after three brothers who owned large farms within the area. Around that time, a building in what is now Briarcliff's Central Business District became the first schoolhouse and church in the area.[1] And in 1880, Whitson's Corners was added to the New York & Putnam Railroad train schedule.[12]

Progressive Era edit

After retiring from work at W. & J. Sloane, Walter Law moved with his family to the area that is now Briarcliff, and he bought his first 236 acres (0.96 km2) when he purchased the James Stillman farm in 1890 for $35,000. Law rapidly added to his property owning, making approximately forty land purchases in less than ten years. By 1900, he owned more than 5,000 acres in Westchester County.[12][13]

Within his land, Law later established Briarcliff Farms, a large dairy farm of purebred Jersey cattle. In 1902, Law had 1,200 Jersey cows.[14] Around the same time, he also established the Briarcliff Table Water Company and the Briarcliff Greenhouses. He became one of the first producers of certified milk in America. His Jerseys produced 3,000 – 4,000 quarts of milk daily. His milk, cream, butter and kumyss was sent to New York City every night on the New York & Putnam Railroad.[15] Briarcliff Dairy milk won a gold medal at the 1900 Paris Exposition. His greenhouse space grew to 75,000 square feet, and his roses brought in up to $100,000 in revenue each year. As many as 8,000 roses were shipped from Briarcliff Greenhouses each day, most to New York City.[12] He developed the village, and established schools, churches, parks, and the Briarcliff Lodge. Law had his employees at Briarcliff Farms move into the village; some of those houses had their mortgages held by Law. At that time, New York State required a population of at least 300 per square mile as the first step towards incorporation as a village, so the workers at Law's businesses contributed to that number. On November 21, 1902, Briarcliff Manor was incorporated as a village.[1][4]

When it opened in 1902, Briarcliff Lodge was America’s premier resort hotel. The magnificent Tudor Revival-style building was surrounded by dairy barns and greenhouses, all built by Walter Law. Here, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt were hosted, as were Tallulah Bankhead, Johnny Weissmuller, Jimmy Walker, Babe Ruth, Edward S. Curtis, Thomas Edison, George B. Cortelyou, and other luminaries.[16][17] The hotel business declined in the 1930s, here and at other nearby resorts, but Briarcliff Lodge continued in use as the home of the Edgewood Park School from 1936 to 1954 and as the The King's College from 1955 to 1994.[14][18]

Post-Progressive Era edit

Walter Law died on January 18, 1924. V. Everit Macy donated 265 acres to the Girl Scouts in 1925. In 1926, the first Briarcliff Rose was cultivated. In 1928, the High School opens, added to the 1909 building. In 1934 was a Automobile Racing Club of America 100-mile race. In 1936, the Edgemont Park School opens at the Lodge. In 1946, People's Caucus was organized. In 1952, Briarcliff held a Semi Centennial celebration, and the Crossroads neighborhood of 84 houses was completed. In 1953, Todd School opened. In 1959, the Putnam Line was discontinued, and a library opened in the train station. In 1960, Briarcliff's first corporate facility, a part of Philips Laboratory, opened. In 1964, the new Municipal Building opened. In 1971, the High School opened. In 1977, Briarcliff celebrated its Dodranscentennial, and Pace University bought Briarcliff College. In 1978, the Scarborough School closed. In 1980, the Chilmark Club became a part of Briarcliff's Parks and Recreation Department, Pace University took over the Middle School building, and the Middle School was 'moved' to the High School. In 1981, Briarcliff's local Rotary chapter was founded. In 1994, King's College closed. It would later reopen in 1998 at the Northeastern Bible College. In 1996, the old Middle School was demolished. In 1997, Senior Quarters was constructed at the site of the old Middle School. In 1998, the High School Auditorium opened. In 2002, the Village Park was dedicated to Walter Law as Law Memorial Park. In 2002, Briarcliff celebrated its Centennial.[19]

On 16 September 1999, the Beech Hill Road bridge in Briarcliff Manor was destroyed by the flooded Pocantico River due to Hurricane Floyd.[20]

Geography edit

Briarcliff Manor is 30 miles (48 km) north of Manhattan. The village sits against the Hudson River just north of the Tappan Zee Bridge and south of Croton Point, near the widest part of the Hudson. It is just northwest of central Westchester County.[21][21]

According to the 2010 United States Census, the village has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17 km2), of which 5.9 square miles (15 km2) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) is water.[22][22]

Climate edit

Briarcliff is located in the humid continental climate zone (Köppen climate classification: Dfa), and has cold, snowy winters and hot, wet summers; the village experiences four distinct seasons.[23] Briarcliff is located in plant hardiness zone 7a.[24]

Climate data for Briarcliff Manor
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 67
(19) 		73
(23) 		85
(29) 		95
(35) 		94
(34) 		94
(34) 		100
(38) 		100
(38) 		95
(35) 		87
(31) 		79
(26) 		73
(23) 		100
(38)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 34
(1) 		39
(4) 		47
(8) 		59
(15) 		69
(21) 		78
(26) 		82
(28) 		81
(27) 		73
(23) 		62
(17) 		51
(11) 		40
(4) 		60
(15)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 19
(−7) 		21
(−6) 		29
(−2) 		39
(4) 		49
(9) 		58
(14) 		63
(17) 		62
(17) 		54
(12) 		43
(6) 		35
(2) 		25
(−4) 		41
(5)
Record low °F (°C) −15
(−26) 		−10
(−23) 		0
(−18) 		14
(−10) 		30
(−1) 		38
(3) 		46
(8) 		39
(4) 		32
(0) 		20
(−7) 		11
(−12) 		−9
(−23) 		−15
(−26)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.58
(91) 		3.20
(81) 		4.22
(107) 		4.42
(112) 		4.35
(110) 		4.71
(120) 		4.81
(122) 		4.39
(112) 		4.57
(116) 		4.68
(119) 		4.38
(111) 		4.03
(102) 		51.34
(1,303)
Source: The Weather Channel[25]

Neighborhoods edit

 
The Briarcliff Lodge, a Tudor Revival resort, c. 1904

The Village has many neighborhoods, some of which it shares with other villages and towns.

Scarborough is an unincorporated district split between the villages of Briarcliff Manor and Ossining along the Hudson River. It has a post office andtrain station on the Metro-North Hudson Line. Scarborough is not a part of the Briarcliff Manor School District. During the 17th century, Scarborough became one of the first trading posts for the Dutch on the Hudson River. During the early 20th century, people such as the Astor, Rockefeller, andVanderbilt families entertained guests on their country estates with river views in the Scarborough area. Also in Scarborough is the Scarborough Historic District, which includes the Scarborough Presbyterian Church. Across the street from the church is Sparta Cemetery, which contains the graves of local Revolutionary War veterans, as well as the grave of the Leatherman. Scarborough became a part of the village in 1906.[4] One notable building in Scarborough is theBeechwood Estate, which was first built around 1780, and is noted as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in Westchester County.[1] The Estate later became the Scarborough Country Day School, which closed in the early 1980s. Also in the district is Holly Hill, which was formerly named Weskora. Hubert Rogers, a New York City lawyer, had the house built, and had it designed by William Adams Delano. He named it Weskora. After his death, Brooke Astor purchased the house and renamed it Holly Hill, after the holly trees growing on the property.[4]

Chilmark is an unincorporated residential community in northern Briarcliff with a shopping center. The area is named after the village of Chilmark, England. Its founders had their ancestral homes in the English village. V. Everit Macy and his wife Edith Carpenter Macy, helped develop the community. In 1925, Macy donated 265 acres on Old Chappaqua Road for the Edith Macy Conference Center, a large conference and training facility still owned and operated by the Girl Scouts of the USA.[12] The Center was the first national Girl Scouts camp. Also in the area is the Briarcliff Recreation Center, which was the private Chilmark Club until the 1970's, when the village purchased the land for the Recreation Center and adjoining park. As well, The Chilmark Estate, owned by V. Everit Macy, is in the area. The Estate is a Tudor-style stone and stucco mansion dating from 1896. It had its own a 9-hole golf course. Chilmark also hosts Briarcliff's only non-Christian house of worship, the Conservative temple Congregation Sons of Israel.[1]

The Central Business District, also known as the Village Center or East End is the main street in Briarcliff Manor. It is home to the Briarcliff Manor Village Hall, the Briarcliff Manor Pocket Park, and a number of commercial establishments.[26] Farther south along the road is the Walter W. Law Memorial Park, and along the road southeast are the three schools that comprise the Briarcliff Manor School District. The Village Center also contains many pre-Revolutionary Era houses. These include Whitson House, built in the 1770's, and the former home of one of the three Whitson brothers after which Whitson's Corners was named; Buckhout House, built in the 1770s, and named for the family that occupied it for over 100 years; and the oldest, Century Homestead, from around 1767.[1]

Central Briarcliff West is a neighborhood that has a number of mansions built by millionaires in the 20th century who stayed at Briarcliff Lodge and enjoyed the area enough to build an estate there. Briarcliff Lodge was built in 1902 by Walter Law on the highest point of his estate. Within a few years, it became America's foremost luxury resort hotel and host to many celebrity guests. The Lodge had a large Roman Pool built in 1912. At that time it was the largest outdoor pool in the world.[3] It was used as a part of trials for the 1924 Summer Olympics.[4] The Lodge was noted for its exquisite food and Briarcliff dairy and table water, as well as the many features of the resort, including a golf course, fifteen tennis courts, a music room, theatre, indoor swimming pool, casino, library, stable, repair shops, and a fleet of Fiat touring cars.[12] Later on, it became the campus anchor for the Edgewood Park School for Girls and then The King's College. The Lodge burnt down only a short time before it was scheduled for demolition, in 2003.[13] Large and historic estates in the neighborhood include the Law Family Homes, which were built in 1902 for Walter Law's children, as well as Law's home, the Manor House. The three estates for the children are named Six Gables, Mt. Vernon, and Hillcrest. Another historic mansion in the neighborhood is the Vanderlip-Street house, which was designed by Wallace Harrison in the Modernist style. It was one of the first homes in Westchester to be built in a contemporary style. Frank A. Vanderlip had it built for his daughter and her husband. Another significant mansion is Ashridge, a large Greek Revival estate, built around 1825.[1]

Smaller neighborhoods in Briarcliff include the Tree Streets, the Crossroads area, and Meadowbrook Farm. The Tree Streets is the name of a network of streets named after regional trees, including Satinwood Lane, Larch Road, and Oak Road. Some of the oldest houses in the village lie on these streets, many having been constructed during a 1930s building boom. These streets are located around the neighborhood park Jackson Park, and are close to Briarcliff's Todd Elementary School.[1] The Crossroads area consists of several streets named after local World War II veterans, including Schrade Road, Hazelton Circle, Matthes Road, and Dunn Lane. This area was expanded at the end of World War II to provide affordable housing to returning veterans.[1][27]

Demographics edit

Historical edit

Modern overview edit

Briarcliff is largely noncommercial – over 80% of the land in the village is residential.[4]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 7,867 people, 2,647 households, and 2,037 families residing in the village. There were 2,753 housing units. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 5.3% of the population. There were 2,647 households out of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.5% weremarried couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 23.0% were non-families. 21% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.16. The median age was 43.4 years.[28]

The population density was 1,319.5 inhabitants per square mile (509.5/km2). As of 2010, the racial makeup of the town was 86.4% White, 3.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 6.9% Asian, and 2.0% from two or more races. In the village, the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18.[29][29]

The median income for a household in the village was $169,310, and the median income for a family was $219,063. Males had a median income of $169,118 versus $100,039 for females. The per capita income for the village was $81,465. About 4.3% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line. As well, 5.6% of people under age 18 and 6.4% of people aged 65 or over were below the poverty level.[30][30]

Population growth in Briarcliff Manor since 1902
Year 1902 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Population 331 950 1,027 1,794 1,830 2,494 5,105 6,521 7,115 7,070 7,696 7,867
1902 to 1940[3]  • 1950 to 2000[31]  • 1999 to 2010[28]

Economy edit

The village is home to many high-income residents, and was voted 19th on CNN Money's "25 Top Earning Towns in the U.S."[32] The village has been used as a start-up place for a number of businesses, including the Sabre Global Distribution System and the Sabre Travel Network.[33]Philips Research North America (PRNA) headquarters is located in Briarcliff Manor.[34] The publishing company Stein and Day also was located in Briarcliff.[35]

Arts and culture edit

The symbol of the village is the pink Briarcliff Rose. It is depicted similar to a rose grown in the Briarcliff Greenhouses, an offshoot of the American Beautyrose, but more brightly-colored and perfectly formed.[1] Briarcliff has units in several Scouting organizations. This includes Cub Scout Pack 6 and Boy Scouts of America Troop 18.[36][36] The village's first Boy Scout troop was Troop 1 Briarcliff, which dated back earlier than 1919. Several sources list Bill Buffman as the first Scoutmaster and John Hersey as the troop's first Eagle Scout. The first Girl Scout troop in the village was created in 1917 by Mrs. Alfred Jones and Miss Louise Miller, and the first Brownies troop was created in 1929.[4][27]

Historicity edit

 
The Briarcliff Manor Village Library is home to the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society.

Briarcliff Manor maintains strong ties to its history and traditions. In June of 1974, the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society (BMSHS) was founded. It is located in The Eileen O'Connor Weber Historical Center, which was established on March 21, 2010, and is a part of the newly-expanded Briarcliff Library. The Historical Society wrote a book on the village, called “A Village Between Two Rivers: Briarcliff Manor”, and had it published in 1977, marking the 75th anniversary of the village.[4] "The Society has also provided a number of special events over the years and was active in helping organize and run several of the events during the village’s 2002 Bicentennial Year Celebration. One of the events was The Centennial Variety Show, which was performed at the Briarcliff High School Auditorium on April 26–27, 2002. The show consisted of two acts – the first consisting of points of view on village life by village organizations, and the second consisting of a review of Briarcliff events, primarily through spoofs and songs.[19] Over the years, Society-sponsored events have included historical tours of homes and churches, yearly bus tours, cruises on the Hudson using historically notable boats like the Commander, built in 1917 and listed on both National and State Registers of Historic Places, square dances and formal dances, antique car exhibits, day trips to historic points of interest such as Ellis Island, galas to celebrate the contribution of local citizens, art exhibits and special events with well-known authors and political figures, to name a few."[37]

Literature and film edit

Briarcliff has been the subject, inspiration, and location for many written and cinematic works. Much of James Patterson's 2005 novel Honeymoon takes place in Briarcliff Manor, where Patterson owns a house and lives for part of the year.[38] Films which were partially or fully shot in Briarcliff Manor include The Seven Sisters, American Gangster, and Super Troopers. The Seven Sisters is a 1915 production which was filmed at the Briarcliff Lodge.[39] American Gangster is a film released in 1994 which filmed scenes at two houses in Briarcliff.[40] Super Troopers, released in 2001, was partially filmed on the Taconic State Parkway, in locations from Poughkeepsie to Briarcliff.[41]

Museums and historic sites edit

Further Information: National Register of Historic Places listings in northern Westchester

Because of Briarcliff's historical and political significance, the village is home to numerous historical buildings and historic districts. A number of structures in Briarcliff are on theNational Register of Historic Places (NRHP), including the All Saints Episcopal Church, Carrie Chapman Catt's houseJuniper Ledge, and several structures as part of the Scarborough Historic District.[42] In addition, within Briarcliff is part of a state park - the Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park, which is controlled by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.[43][43] The Old Croton Aqueduct is listed on the NRHP and listed as a National Historic Landmark.[42][44][44]

As well, the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society has plans for a Museum and Archival Center. In July of 1999, the Society acquired the Kingsley-Blake House for the purpose of restoring it and using it to house the Center. Yale University intended to demolish the house, which stood in its campus in New Haven, Connecticut from 1880 to circa 2002.[45][46]

Religious life edit

Briarcliff has seven Christian churches. Three of them, the Holy Innocents Anglican, Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, and the Scarborough Presbyterian Church, are located in Scarborough. The other churches in Briarcliff are All Saints' Episcopal, St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Faith Lutheran Brethren Church, and Briarcliff Congregational Church, a church of the United Church of Christ.[citation needed]

The All Saints' Episcopal Church is notable not only as a location on the National Register of Historic Places, but also as the church founded in 1854 by John David Ogilby, whose houses were the namesake of Briarcliff Manor.[citation needed] Two churches also appear on the National Register as part of the Scarborough Historic District, including Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, built 1851, and the Scarborough Presbyterian Church, built 1895.[47][47]

Saint Mary's is Briarcliff's oldest church, and has a congregation dating back to 1839. The church remains very close to its original condition. Its design was based on the 14th centuryGothic parish church of St. Mary's in Scarborough, England. It is the only church to have a complete set of William Jay Boltonstained glass windows.[1]

Briarcliff Congregational Church is notable for its age, having been built in 1896; as well as because many of its windows were made by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and others were made by other well-known artists, including William Willet, J&R Lamb Studios, Hardman & Co., and Woodhaven.[1] The Congregational Church has its roots in a small one-room schoolhouse known as the white school, which was built around 1865. It was used as a school, a religious school, and a house of worship for up to 60 people. In 1896, George A. Todd, Jr. asked Walter Law to support the construction of a new church. Walter Law gave away land for the construction of the church, and decided to make his new church Congregational, so that the whole community could attend, even with their different religious backgrounds. The nave and a Norman-style tower were built first, in an English parish-style, with Gothic windows. When the church became too small, Law provided funds for the construction of a new northern section of the church, including the transepts and apse, dedicated in 1905. Law continued to donate to the church, giving it an organ, and later another in 1924. He funded four of the Tiffany windows, and the manse on the opposite side of the road.[12]

The Scarborough Presbyterian Church was given as a gift to the community by Margaret Louisa Vanderbilt Shepard and her husband, who both lived in the nearby estate of Woodlea. The church was the first in the United States to have an electric organ.[1]

St. Theresa's Church is notable for its rectory being part of one of the original houses of the three Whitson landowner brothers.[14]

Congregation Sons of Israel is the only Jewish synagogue in Briarcliff, and promotes itself as a egalitarian, Conservativesynagogue.[48]

Sports edit

See also: Briarcliff High School and Pace University

Besides intramural sports, Briarcliff High School has junior varsity and varsity teams in sixteen sports. Pace University has sports teams, including fourteen intercollegiate varsity sports teams. The University has affiliations with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II, the Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10), and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).[49][49]

Parks and recreation edit

 
Scenic Hudson Park

Briarcliff Manor has many active and passive recreational facilities and parks. All facilities are accessible by the general public. The Briarcliff Manor Village Library is the home of the Briarcliff Manor Recreation Department, which maintains all of the recreational facilities and parks in the village. The following is a listing of the facilities available to Briarcliff Manor residents:[50]

  • Chilmark Park, a 8.3-acre site located on Macy Road. The village purchased the land after years of service as the Chilmark Country Club. Chilmark Park has six tennis courts with a variety of surface variations, with two clay, two all-weather and two green clay tennis courts. The park also features a half-court basketball court, a soccer field, a baseball/softball field, and a playground. A Renovation & Development plan is currently underway for this park will feature such things as improvements to the athletic fields, basketball court and the addition of a restroom facility for the site.
  • Hardscrabble Wilderness Area, a network of wilderness trails, is partially within Briarcliff's borders.[citation needed] It has a passive recreational area of 235 acres.[51]
  • Jackson Road Park, a park that covers 4.76 acres and was dedicated in 1975. It features two half court basketball courts; one with a standard 10' high rim and one with a rim height of 9' for younger players. There are also swing sets and a playground, which was refurbished in 2005. Approximately half of the park property is still undeveloped and primarily consists of wetlands.
  • Kate Kennard Trail, a mile-long trail which was dedicated in 1988. The trail begins on Long Hill West, just west of the Aspinwall Road intersection. The trail is named for the daughter of a former Mayor who fell victim to a fatal childhood illness.
  • Law Memorial Park, which is located in the heart of the village on Pleasantville Road. It is a seven-acre park which was donated to the village by Walter Law in 1918. The Village Pool complex, added in 1927, is the park's biggest attraction, featuring a 120' x 75' main pool and a 30' diameter circular wading pool. The pool was the first public swimming pool in the United States.[4] A new two-story bathhouse and pavilion building was completed in 2001 in conjunction with a major rehabilitation project. The park offers four tennis courts with lights for evening play, three clay courts, and one year-round all-weather court. Adjacent to the tennis courts is a playground that includes swings, a sandbox, and play structures for young children. Two platform tennis courts are located just north of the park and the Briarcliff Manor Public Library can be found on the Park's eastern edge. The Library, a part of the Westchester Library System, was built as a train station with the funds of Walter Law in the early 1900s. It replaced a smaller station that was later referred to as the Millwood Station. That structure was moved to Millwood in 1909, and was demolished on 9 May 2012. Both structures were a part of a station on the New York and Putnam Railroad. Walter Law's structure was used on that line until 1958, and later became the village library.[citation needed]
  • Lynn McCrum Field, a field which was officially named after Briarcliff's first Village Manager and dedicated in June 1999. McCrum Field is located on the corner of Chappaqua Road and Route 9A. The site features a multi-purpose playing field that is utilized as either two small baseball/softball fields or two soccer fields. The park includes parking for approximately fifty cars, as well as a restroom/utility building. It was rededicated on Veteran's Day of 2001 to Walter Law.[1]
  • Neighborhood Park, which was dedicated to the village in 1954 and added to in 1958 and 1964. The five-acre site is located at the corner of Whitson and Fuller Road and backs up to Schrade Road. The Whitson Road side of the park has a youth baseball field, and from the Schrade Road entrance, a basketball court and playground are available for neighborhood enjoyment.
  • Nichols Nature Area, which is a 3.8-acre site was acquired in 1973 as part of a residential subdivision. Steep slopes virtually assure that this land will remain in its natural state, and continue to serve as home to many of Briarcliff's flora and fauna. The site is only accessible from Nichols Place.
  • The Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park, which runs along the Old Croton Aqueduct, and traverses the village between Broadway and the Hudson River. This trail follows the aqueduct from Croton to New York City. It is a popular biking and jogging path which is operated and maintained by New York State. Briarcliff access to the trail is off Scarborough Road, north of the Scarborough Fire Station.
  • Pine Road Park, which is a 66-acre parcel and was acquired in 1948 and added to in 1963. It is located between Pine Road and Long Hill Road East, and is presently undeveloped.
  • Pocantico Park, which holds the distinction as the village's largest park. It is a 70.9-acre site, and was acquired in 1948 and added to in 1963, 1964 and 1967. The park abuts the Pocantico River and is home to a large number and variety of regional animals. It includes some marked hiking trails.[1]
  • The Recreation Center, which was purchased by the village in 1980 after serving as the clubhouse for the Chilmark Country Club. Located within Chilmark Park, at 48 Macy Road, the Center is a focal point of indoor recreational opportunities in the Village. Many of the village's seasonal indoor programs are conducted at this facility, and a number of community organizations utilize the center, including the Briarcliff Manor Garden Club, the Senior Citizen's Club, and the Max Pavey Chess Club.[52]
  • Scarborough Park, which is a six-acre, 97 year-old park. It has an impressive sunset view, and a view of the Hudson River. This riverside park is located right next to the Scarborough train station.The village is currently pursuing grant funding to further improve and develop the site.[13]
  • The Village Youth Center, which is near Briarcliff's Central Business District. It has 2400 square feet of interior space, a large deck, a patio area, and a lighted outdoor basketball court. It also provides an additional indoor facility suitable to house other programs and activities for the community.[53]
  • The Westchester County Bike Trail also called the North County Trailway, is an extensive network of hiking trails, most of them fairly non-strenuous, that criss-cross the woods and towns and highways. Highlights of the area include the New Croton reservoir and its railbridge, a part of the trailway. etc. Briarcliff access to the County trail is located behind the Briarcliff Manor Library, off of Pleasantville Road. The trail extends north largely along Route 100 to Baldwin Place in Somers, and south along Route 9A to Eastview in the Town of Mount Pleasant.[citation needed]

There are no public golf courses located in Briarcliff Manor, but the private Sleepy Hollow Country Club, a private club founded in 1895, is located in Scarborough. As well, the private Trump National Golf Club is in Briarcliff, and is owned by the real-estate mogul Donald Trump.[54] The Trump property has been the location of several previous golf clubs since the early 1900's, including the Briarcliff Golf Club, the Briar Hills Country Club, and the Briar Hall Country Club. The main building of Sleepy Hollow Country Club was once Woodlea, the private residence built as a 140-room Renaissance Revival mansion for Margaret Louisa Vanderbilt Shepard and her husband. It was designed by Stanford White and built in the early 1890's.[1][13] Charles B. Macdonald designed the club's golf course.[4]

Government edit

The head of the government of Briarcliff Manor is William J. Vescio, a former Village Trustee, who was elected mayor in 2005.[55][56] "The village's government offers a full-range of services and is led by an elected mayor and four trustees, all elected at-large to two year terms. A professionally appointed Village Manager works full-time to manage the day-to-day affairs of the community."[57]

Within the New York State Legislature, the western part of Briarcliff in Ossining is represented by Sandy Galef (Democrat) in the New York State Assembly's 95th District,[citation needed] while the eastern part in Mount Pleasant is represented by Thomas Abinanti (Democrat) in the Assembly's 92nd District.[58] David Carlucci (Democrat) represents the western part of the village in Ossining in the New York Senate's 38th District, and Gregory Ball (Republican) represents the eastern portion of the village in Mount Pleasant in the Senate's 40th District.[citation needed] Within the United States Congress, the village is represented by Nita Lowey (Democrat) in the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 17th District. Kirsten Gillibrand (Democrat) and Chuck Schumer (Democrat) represent the village in the United States Senate.[59]

Education edit

Primary and secondary schools edit

 
Briarcliff High School
See also: Briarcliff Middle School and Briarcliff High School

The village is home to the Briarcliff Manor School District, which serves over 1,000 students, and includes Todd Elementary School, Briarcliff Middle School, and Briarcliff High School.[1] The elementary school was opened in 1953, and is named after George A. Todd, Jr., who became the village's first teacher in 1865 and later its first superintendent. He taught for over 40 years.[1] In 2005, Briarcliff Middle School was awarded as a Blue Ribbon School.[60]

The School District is a part of several alternative schooling programs, including the Walkabout Program and a Board of Cooperative Educational Services program in Yorktown Heights.[citation needed]

In 1998, the High School Auditorium opened.[19] In 20??, it was dedicated to a retiring district superintendent, and is now called the Francis G. Wills Auditorium.

Higher education edit

Briarcliff has been the location of several colleges within its history. Briarcliff College was founded in proximity to the Briarcliff Congregational Church, and in 1977, Pace University bought the property and incorporated it into their Pleasantville Campus. Briarcliff Lodge was the location of the The King's College from 1955 to 1994. Pace University once owned a building adjacent to Law Park, the building which held Briarcliff's Middle and High Schools.[citation needed]

Media edit

Briarcliff is the location and city of license for WXPK. It is also a part of the Daily Voice network of local online news. As well, it is a part of River Journal, an online news source that reports news from Irvington, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, and Briarcliff.[citation needed]

Infrastructure edit

Policing in Briarcliff is provided by the Briarcliff Manor Police Department (VBM PD), stationed at the Briarcliff Manor Village Hall.[61] The Briarcliff Manor Ambulance Corps in the Fire Department provides emergency medical transport for the community. The Ambulance Corps runs two ambulances round-the-clock.[62] There are no hospitals in Briarcliff— the nearest is Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow, run by the NewYork–Presbyterian Healthcare System. Other forms of health care are provided for locally by several small specialist clinics and surgeries.[citation needed]

The Briarcliff Manor Department of Public Works supplies water from the Catskill aqueduct system. The Department also cleans and repairs the sewer system, maintains village vehicles, roads, and grounds, operates a recycling center, performs snow removal, and more.[63] Consolidated Edison provides electric and gas utilities to Briarcliff.[citation needed]

The village is accessed by one controlled-access highway, the Taconic State Parkway. It can also be accessed through U.S. Route 9, New York State Route 9A, New York State Route 100, and the Saw Mill River Parkway. A Westchester bus system has routes through Briarcliff. Rail transportation began in the Village in 1911 with the addition of a small train station on the Putnam line. The train station was eventually rebuilt by Walter Law in the style of his Briarcliff Lodge, and the old station was moved to Millwood, New York to become its station. The old structure fell out of use and was demolished in 200?. Briarcliff continues to be served by rail through MetroNorth's Hudson line, at the Scarborough hamlet's station.[citation needed]

Notable people edit

Historic residents edit

 
Juniper Ledge, the house of Carrie Chapman Catt

Historically, Briarcliff Manor was chiefly distinguished by the presence of wealthy estate-owning families, including the Rockefellers, Astors, and Macys. Within the extended Rockefeller family, two notable persons were William Rockefeller (medieval academic and bishop) and John D. Rockefeller (one of the original translators of the Authorized King James Version of the Bible). John Lorimer Worden was a US rear admiral who commanded the USS Monitor against the CSS Virginia during the Battle of Hampton Roads.[4][64][65][66] John Hersey, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and journalist, grew up in Briarcliff.[67][68] Brooke Astor, a philanthropist and socialite, and a member of the wealthy Astor family, lived in Briarcliff for much of her life.[69] Carrie Chapman Catt was a pioneer in the campaign for women's suffrage, and served as president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association and was the founder of the League of Women Voters and the International Alliance of Women. She lived in her Briarcliff homeJuniper Ledge for nine years. William J. Burns and his family lived in Briarcliff from 1917, at a house named Shadowbrook.[4]

Current residents edit

Carmino Ravosa is a composer, pianist, and local historian, and a board member of the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society.[70] Roz Abrams is a national news anchor, known for her work for WABC and WCBS.[71] Brice Marden is an artist.[72] Bill Stopera is acurler.[73][74] Thomas Fitzgerald is the Senior Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering.[75] Clifford Carter is a musician and graduate of Briarcliff High School.[76] Tom Ortenberg, the CEO of Open Road Films and former President of Lionsgate Films, was born and raised in Briarcliff Manor.[77] Joseph Ruben is a director, writer, and producer who lives in Briarcliff.[78]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Gelard, Donna (2002). Explore Briarcliff Manor: A driving tour. Contributing Editor Elsie Smith; layout and typography by Lorraine Gelard; map, illustrations, and calligraphy by Allison Krasner. Briarcliff Manor Centennial Committee.
  2. ^ Weinstock, Cheryl (02 April 2000). "If You're Thinking of Living In/Briarcliff Manor; Small-Town Quality But Near Manhattan". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 November 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d Briarcliff Manor Centennial Committee (2002). The Briarcliff Manor Family Album: Celebrating a Century. Cornwall N.Y: Village of Briarcliff Manor.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Cheever, Mary (1990). The changing landscape : a history of Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough. Maine: Phoenix Publishing. ISBN 0-914659-49-9.
  5. ^ "$12,000,000 Realty Transfer; W.W. Law Makes Record Deed of Land to His Own Company for $5". The New York Times. 2 February 1908. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  6. ^ "New Agricultural School.; Briar Cliff Farm Selected by Abram S. Hewitt and His Associates". The New York Times. 1 May 1900. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  7. ^ "J.D. Rockefeller, Jr. Real Fire Fighter; Takes Command When Stable on Father's Pocantico Estate Burns". The New York Times. 1 July 1913. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  8. ^ What the Name Ossining Means. 2 March 1901. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  9. ^ Ruttenber, Edward (1872). History of the Indian tribes of Hudson's River; their origin, manners and customs; tribal and sub-tribal organizations; wars, treaties, etc., etc. Albany: J. Munsell. p. 372. ISBN 9781279172216. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  10. ^ Pelletreau, William (1886). History of Putnam County, New York: with biographical sketches of its prominent men. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  11. ^ Boesch, Eugene. "Native Americans of Putnam County". Mahopac Public Library. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Sharman, Karen (1996). Glory in Glass: A Celebration of The Briarcliff Congregational Church. ISBN 0-912882-96-4.
  13. ^ a b c d "Our Village: a family place for more than a century". Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  14. ^ a b c Yasinsac, Robert (2004). Images of America: Briarcliff Lodge. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-3620-0.
  15. ^ Briarcliff Outlook: For Promotion of Country Life, Volume III. Briarcliff Manor, New York. 1904. pp. 56 and 67. Retrieved 12 November 2013.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  16. ^ "Briarcliff Lodge - Names of Many New Yorkers on the Hotel Registers". The New York Times. 16 June 1912. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  17. ^ "Briarcliff Manor - Fall Programme of Outdoor Sports and Pastimes". The New York Times. 5 September 1909. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  18. ^ Segal, David (20 February 2008). "God and The City". The Washington Post. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  19. ^ a b c Briarcliff Manor: The First 100 Years – The Centennial Variety Show. Village of Briarcliff Manor. 2002.
  20. ^ "Photograph by Michael Raphael taken on 09/19/1999 in New York". FEMA. Michael Raphael/FEMA News Photo. 16 September 1999. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  21. ^ a b "Briarcliff Manor Village Court". Law Office of Jared Altman. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  22. ^ a b Stefko, Joseph (April 2012). "Municipal Services & Financial Overview: Town and Village of Ossining, NY" (PDF). Center for Governmental Research. p. 87. Retrieved 12 November 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. "World Map of Köppen-Geiger climate classification". The University of Melbourne. Retrieved 12 November 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ United States Department of Agriculture. "USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map". United States National Arboretum. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  25. ^ "Average Weather for Briarcliff Manor, NY (10510)". The Weather Channel, LLC. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  26. ^ Zetkov-Lubin, Susan (26 August 2012). "A Tribute to the United States Armed Forces, a Blue Star By-Way Marker Dedication". Pleasantville-Briarcliff Manor Patch. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  27. ^ a b Moorhead-Lins, Parry (24 May 2013). "Briarcliff Traditions: Memorial Day". River Journal Online. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  28. ^ a b "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  29. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts: Briarcliff Manor (village), New York".
  30. ^ a b "Selected Economic Characteristics: Briarcliff Manor village, New York". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  31. ^ "2007 Briarcliff Manor Comprehensive Plan" (PDF). Village of Briarcliff Manor. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  32. ^ Cox, Jeff. "25 top-earning towns – 19. Briarcliff Manor, N.Y." CNN.
  33. ^ "Sabre History". Sabre Holdings. Sabre Inc. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  34. ^ "Philips Research North America - Briarcliff". Philips. Koninklijke Philips N.V. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  35. ^ Wilner, Paul (11 February 1979). "Tale of a Publisher's Move to the Country". The New York Times. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  36. ^ a b "5 Briarcliff Manor Scouts earn Eagle honors". The Journal News. 2 June 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  37. ^ "Our History: a look back through four decades". Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  38. ^ Salerno, Heather (24 June 2004). "Mystery writer Patterson savors killer view". USA Today. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  39. ^ "Film Made at Briarcliff". 7 June 1915. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  40. ^ "American Gangster Full Production Notes". Universal Pictures. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  41. ^ Dawson, Nick (24 August 2009). "Hudson Valley Movies". NBC Universal. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  42. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007. Cite error: The named reference "nris" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  43. ^ a b "Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  44. ^ a b "Croton Aqueduct (Old)". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. September 17, 2007.
  45. ^ Staudter, Thomas (19 December 1999). "Saving Historic Sites For Historic Troves". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  46. ^ Ferris, Marc (24 November 2002). "Preservation; 2 Groups Get Places To House Artifacts". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  47. ^ a b {{cite web|url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=10724%7Ctitle=National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination form|work=National Park Service|publisher=United States Department of the Interior|accessdate=12 November 2013
  48. ^ "Welcome! This is who we are..." Congregation Sons of Israel. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  49. ^ a b "Student Affairs and Campus Life". Pace University. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  50. ^ "Recreation Facilities & Parks". Briarcliff Manor. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  51. ^ "Town of Mount Pleasant Recreation and Parks Department Park Facilities" (PDF). Town of Mount Pleasant. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  52. ^ "Briarcliff Manor Recreation Department". Village of Briarcliff Manor. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  53. ^ "Youth Center General Information" (PDF). Village of Briarcliff Manor. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  54. ^ Leonard, Devin (5 April 1999). "Trump's Garish Golf Course Plan Disrupts Quiet Westchester Town". The New York Observer. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  55. ^ Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society 2012 Harvest Wine Dinner. Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society. 2012.
  56. ^ Bonvento, Robert (28 July 2011). "Let the Water Flow… Briarcliff's New Pump Station". River Journal Online. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  57. ^ "About Briarcliff Manor". Briarcliff Manor. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  58. ^ "District Map for Thomas J. Abinanti". New York State Assembly. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  59. ^ "Senators and representatives for New York". Govtrack.us. Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  60. ^ "List of Blue Ribbon Schools" (PDF). Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  61. ^ "Police Department". Briarcliff Manor. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  62. ^ "Emergency Medical Services". Village of Briarcliff Manor.
  63. ^ "Public Works Department". Village of Briarcliff Manor. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  64. ^ "Rear Admiral John Lorimer Worden". The Worden Family Association. The Worden Family Association. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  65. ^ Steiner, Henry (22 March 2012). "Briarcliff's Native Son & The Battle of the Ironclads". River Journal. River Journal Inc. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  66. ^ "Scarborough Historic District". Living Places. The Gombach Group. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  67. ^ Weingarten, Marc (2010). The Gang That Wouldn't Write Straight: Wolfe, Thompson, Didion, and the New Journalism Revolution. Random House LLC. ISBN 978-1-4000-4914-1.
  68. ^ Dee, Jonathan. "John Hersey, The Art of Fiction No. 92". The Paris Review. The Paris Review. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  69. ^ Berger, Marilyn (13 August 2007). "Brooke Astor, 105, First Lady of Philanthropy, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  70. ^ Hudson, Edward (May 10, 1981). "Westchester Journal". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  71. ^ "Ossining Web Blast 1-16-2009". Village of Ossining. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  72. ^ Marden, Brice (3 October 1972). "Oral history interview with Brice Marden, 1972 Oct. 3" (Tape-recorded). Interviewed by Paul Cummings. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 12 November 2013. {{cite interview}}: Unknown parameter |program= ignored (help)
  73. ^ "Bill Stopera". Team USA. United States Olympic Committee. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  74. ^ Bruttell, Nathan (25 February 2012). "Briarcliff's Stopera Brings Home Gold in Curling". Briarcliff Daily Voice. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  75. ^ Sklar, Martin (2013). Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disneys Magic Kingdoms. Disney Editions. ISBN 978-1423174066.
  76. ^ Lee, Tien-Shun (29 September 2011). "Briarcliff Teen a Musical Superstar". Briarcliff Daily Voice. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  77. ^ "Tom Ortenberg". Film Independent. 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  78. ^ "Joseph Ruben Biography". The New York Times. 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2013.

Further reading edit

  • Sharman, Karen (1996). Glory in Glass: A Celebration of The Briarcliff Congregational Church. ISBN 0-912882-96-4. For more information on the Briarcliff Congregational Church and Walter Law.

External links edit

Category:Villages in New York (state) Category:Populated places in Westchester County, New York Category:Mount Pleasant, New York Category:Ossining, New York

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