New Rochelle, New York

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New Rochelle, New York
Location within the state of New York
Coordinates: 40°55′43″N 73°47′3″W / 40.92861, -73.78417
Country United States
State New York
County Westchester
Area
 - Total 13.2 sq mi (34.3 km²)
 - Land 10.4 sq mi (26.8 km²)
 - Water 2.9 sq mi (7.5 km²)
Elevation 85 ft (26 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 72,182
 - Density 6,973.5/sq mi (2,692.5/km²)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 10801-10805
Area code(s) 914
FIPS code 36-50617
GNIS feature ID 0958451
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City of New Rochelle
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New Rochelle City Hall
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New Roc City
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New Rochelle Sign
New Rochelle (French: Nouvelle-Rochelle /la nuvɛl ʁoʃɛl/ (help·info)) is a city in the southeast portion of the U.S. state of New York in Westchester County, 16 miles (26 km) from Grand Central Terminal in New York City and 2 miles north of the NYC border (Pelham Bay Park in The Bronx). It lies on the Long Island Sound just east of Pelham / Pelham Manor and west of Larchmont/ The Town of Mamaroneck . Settled by refugee Huguenots (French Protestants) in 1688 who were fleeing tyrannical Catholic pogroms in France. Many of the settlers were artisans and craftsmen from the city of La Rochelle France who named their new colony "New Rochelle." It remained an artisan and craftsmen center for generations until the industrial revolution and 19th century immigration changed the economy and character of the region. Today it is mainly residential with some light industry. In 2000, the city had a population of 72,182.

Nicknamed 'The Queen City of the Sound', [1] it is one of the largest suburbs of New York City, the seventh-largest city in the state of New York, and the second-largest city in Westchester County.


Contents

[edit] History

[edit] 17th century

New Rochelle's history began with the purchase by Thomas Pell of the Pelham Manor tract, of which the city became part, from the Siwanoy Indians in 1654.

In 1687, a purchase agreement was made between John Pell, nephew of Thomas Pell, and Jacob Leisler.

In 1689, the absolutist Catholic monarch of France Louis XIV unilaterally revoked the Edict of Nantes. This royal edict had protected the minority Protestant population from religious persecution within certain defined areas of France. One such Protestant ghetto was the city of La Rochelle. Despite the fact that the Protestants were France's most industrious class, Louis XIV was determined to drive them France. Following the revocation, attacks and discrimination upon the Huguenots occurred portending a general massacre of the population as occurred on St. Bartholomew's Day. Finally a royal siege of the Protestant areas determined the inevitable. Face with the prospect of another bloody genocide of their co-religionists, the Protestant crowns of Europe opened up their territories to the Huguenots. John Pell under warrant from the King William III of England, Scotland, and Ireland, provided free land to Huguenot families. A particularly large group of Huguenot manufacturers, artisans, and craftsmen from La Rochelle settled the area and named their settlement Nouvelle-Rochelle, after their homeland La Rochelle, France. There is a monument in Hudson Park which contains the names of these Huguenot settlers.

Also in 1689, John Pell officially deeded the 6,100 acres (25 km²) of New Rochelle to Jacob Leisler. The Deed requires "as an Acknowledgment to the Lord of the said Manor one Fatt Calfe on every fouer and twentieth day of June yearly and every Year Forever (if demanded)."

[edit] 18th century

The French Huguenots, as Protestant Europeans, quickly assimilated into the English colony. Although, most continued to marry within other Huguenot families over the first two generations, the colonists use of English and their similarity in customs and race to the larger English population quickly promoted the assimilation of the Huguenots into overall society. By 1738 the last recorded entries in French were made on town records.

In 1775 General George Washington stopped in New Rochelle on his way to assume command of the Army of the United Colonies in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In October of 1776, the British Army occupied New Rochelle and Larchmont. General Sir William Howe established headquarters on the heights above North Avenue opposite Eastchester Road. The British support troops, 4,000 Hessians and Waldeckers under Lieutenant General Baron von Knyphausen, landed at Davenport Neck. The British left New Rochelle on October 25, clogging available roads and leaving destruction behind. Two days later, the Battle of White Plains was fought, bringing victory to the British but allowing Washington to regroup his troops. New Rochelle became part of the "Neutral Ground."

Through the 18th century, New Rochelle, with a 1790 population of 692 residents, remained a modest village. It retained an abundance of agricultural land, 300 acres (1.2 km²) of which was awarded in 1784 to the patriot Thomas Paine by New York State for his service to the cause of independence. Paine, however spent little time at the estate. Now located on a small street in New Rochelle, the Thomas Paine Cottage[2] is a small museum where many Revolutionary re-enactments are played out.

[edit] 19th century

With the rapid growth of New York City by immigration principally from Ireland and Germany, more American families left New York City and moved into the area. Although the original Huguenot population was rapidly shrinking in relative size, through ownership of land, businesses, banks, and small manufactures, they retained a predominant hold on the political and social life of the town.

In 1879, John H. Starin, a descendant of the Huguenots, former United States Congressman and New York transportation king, purchased five islands and named them Glen Island Park. He then created perhaps the first theme park open to the public. He used 12 of his own steamboats to transport millions of New Yorkers and others to the theme park, which included a zoo, a natural history museum, a railway, a German beer garden (around the castle-like structure which still stands today), a bathing beach, and a Chinese pagoda. A chain ferry transported visitors from a mainland dock.

In 1892, the New Rochelle Public Library was established and located in the Trinity School, on Trinity Place. Rose Hill Gardens, located on what is now Rose Hill Avenue, was one of the largest botanical gardens in the country during the 1800s. The first orchid in the United States was cultivated here.

In 1896, David's Island was re-named Fort Slocum after General Henry Warner Slocum, another Huguenot descendant and a Civil War officer. Fort Slocum became the largest recruiting depot east of the Mississippi River, with greatest use during World War I and World War II.

In 1899, on April 18, Michael J. Dillon scion of a long time Huguenot family won the mayoral election by a slim margin of 22 votes over Hugh A. Harmer to become New Rochelle's first mayor. The new city charter designated four wards, a board of alderman (two from each ward), and 10 elected from the city at large.

[edit] 20th and early 21st centuries

As the effects of continuing immigration continued throughout the North Eastern United States and New York in particular, the early French Huguenot character of the town and it's ruling class dissolved. In the early part of the 20th century, the County's famous Glen Island Casino on Long Island Sound continued to draw such celebrities as Glenn Miller, the Dorsey Brothers and Ozzie Nelson.

In 1930, New Rochelle's population hit 54,000, up from 36,213, in 1920. In the early 30's it was the wealthiest city per capita in New York State, the third wealthiest in the country.

New Rochelle had two of the first suburban branch department stores in America, with Arnold Constable opening on Main Street in the 1940s and Bloomingdale's purchasing the locally owned Ware's Store in the late 1940s.

New Rochelle was the scene of the first court-ordered school desegregation case in "the north", when the United States Supreme Court decided in 1962 that its Lincoln School boundaries had been intentionally drawn to create segregated elementary school districts. Lincoln School was closed and demolished in 1965, with students of that district allowed to attend certain other city elementary schools. Although the school districts educational achievements and standards have fallen since desegregation and school violence has increased, the school district is known for its diversity, and the high school honors civil rights leader Whitney Young in the name of its auditorium and civil rights martyr Michael Schwerner in the name of its library.

In May 1968, New Rochelle High School was destroyed by a fire set by a disturbed student. The fire was early in the morning and there were no fatalities. While the school was being rebuilt, students attended school in trailers. Sessions were divided into morning and evening shifts to accommodate all students. Fortunately, the facade of the school remained intact, allowing builders to construct a new building behind the beautiful, original exterior.

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A view on North Avenue looking north towards the Pershing Square Building and Trump Plaza
Part of downtown New Rochelle near the Metro North train station was revitalized in the summer of 1999 with the opening of the $190 million New Roc City, an entertainment complex featuring a 19-screen movie theater, Westchester's first IMAX theater, mini-golf, go karts, an arcade, a health club, restaurants, a hotel, and a supermarket. New Roc City was built on the former Macy's and Mall in New Rochelle sites. The Mall, which had opened in 1968 was an early "downtown mall."

Additional revitalization has come by way of new luxury residences. The construction of Avalon On The Sound East, a luxury apartment complex was unveiled by AvalonBay Communities in 2007. Trump Plaza, a 39-story building which is under construction as of 2007, will be the tallest building in Westchester County at and the tallest between New York City and Albany

[edit] Recreation: Golf

Wykagyl Country Club is considered to be one of the most challenging and beautiful courses in the country. The club is located in the Wykagyl section of New Rochelle. It has been the host for a number of tournaments of charity. These include the famous Palm Beach Round Robin from 1948 through 1952, 1956 and 1957, the "Red Cross" Tournament in 1944, the LPGA "Talk" Tournament in 1977, the LPGA "Golden Lights Championship" from 1978 through 1980, the LPGA "Chrysler - Plymouth Classic" in 1982, the LPGA "Master Card International Pro-Am" in 1984, the Japan Airlines Big Apple Classic 1990-2000 and the Sybase Classic from 1999 -2006. The main attraction of the club remains in the golf course itself. Wykagyl, a course of championship caliber, is par 72, and over 6600 yards. The rolling slopes, the proximity of the woods, and the hazards of the willow-bordered brooks, call for every shot in golf. The par three 16th hole of 230 yards and the tree-guarded, dogleg par four eight of 449 yards are regarded by pros and amateurs as among the most exciting and interesting holes in golf.

[edit] Geography

The city of New Rochelle has a 2005 population estimate of 72,967

New Rochelle is located at 40°55′43″N, 73°47′3″W (40.928584, -73.784230)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.2 square miles (34.3 km²). The city has a rough triangle shape, approximately 10 miles (16 km) from north to south and 1.5 miles (2 km) from east to west at its widest point.

[edit] Crime

New Rochelle has a relatively low crime rate when compared to other cities of it's size, especially in the northern sections of the city, which are more suburban than inner-city New Rochelle. However both crime and poverty are issues in some sections of the city, especially around the lower income communities and housing projects, where local gang and drug activity are present. Much of the city's crime is concentrated in these areas and usually goes unreported, just as it does in other low income communities around the country.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 72,182 people, 26,189 households, and 17,546 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,973.5 people per square mile (2,692.7/km²). There were 26,995 housing units at an average density of 2,608.0/sq mi (1,007.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.89% White, 19.18% African American, 0.20% Native American, 3.23% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.28% from other races, and 3.17% from two or more races. 20.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 26,189 households out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.29. According to the 2000 Census, the average household income was $55,513.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

According to a 2006 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $58,141, and the median income for a family was $81,533.[3] The per capita income for the city was $31,956. About 30.1% of the population was below the poverty line.

[edit] Additional facts about New Rochelle

George M. Cohan's song "Forty-five Minutes from Broadway" is about New Rochelle. Factoring in a walk from Broadway to Grand Central, and a 30-minute Metro-North ride, the city is still about 45 minutes away.

In February, 1938, Peter Levine, the 12 year old son of a prominent family, was kidnapped and held for ransom. The ransom was paid however the boy was not returned. His body was eventually found floating in Long Island Sound, off the coast of |Davenport Neck. The crime was never solved.

In February, 1977, Frederick Cowan stormed the Neptune warehouse on Weyman Avenue and killed six people, including a police officer. He then killed himself.

[edit] Industries

New Rochelle has been home to a variety of industries over the years, including: Thanhouser Film Studios, Terrytoons Studios, P.J. Tierney Diner Manufacturing (now DeRaffele Manufacturing Company), Flynn Burner Company, New York Seven Up (Joyce Beverages, Inc), RawlPlug, Inc., the Longines Symphonette Society, Conran's USA. Manufacturing and warehousing has declined since the 1990s as industrial land near both exits from Interstate 95 have been converted to "big box" retailer use.

[edit] Notable Inhabitants

[edit] New Rochelle as a home

[edit] New Rochelle as a birthplace

[edit] New Rochelle in Fiction, Film, Television and Theater

In the early 20th century New Rochelle was home to some of the first movie studios in the country.

  • Edwin Thanhouser establishes Thanhouser Film Corporation on the corner of Warren and Grove Street. Thanhouser's "Million Dollar Mystery" was one of the first serial motion pictures. After a devastating fire in 1913, the studio moved to Main Street near Echo Avenue.
  • Parts of the film Catch Me If You Can take place in New Rochelle (NOTE: Frank Abagnale, the real-life person who the film is loosely based on, grew up in the city).
  • 1941- The cartoon character Mighty Mouse was created at the Terrytoons Studio in New Rochelle. Terrytoons, which was created by Paul Terry in 1929, produced cartoons for 10,000 movie theatres across the country during the 1940s and 1950s.
  • The early 1960s TV hit The Dick Van Dyke Show starring Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore was set in New Rochelle.
  • 1976- Ragtime, a novel written by New Rochelle resident E. L. Doctorow was released and later became a major motion picture of the same name. Other celebrated works include Welcome to Hard Times, Loon Lake and Worlds Fair
  • The Broadway show Ragtime is set in New Rochelle.
  • The Broadway show (and George M. Cohan song) "45 Minutes from Broadway" was about life in New Rochelle in the late 1890s.
  • The music video for the song "Dance, Dance" by the band Fall Out Boy takes place in the gymnasium of Salesian High School in New Rochelle.
  • Scenes in Goodfellas were filmed on Alfred Lane, off Quaker Ridge Road in the Pinebrook Heights neighborhood. The house of the parents of Henry Hill's eventual wife, Karen, is on Alfred Lane. Henry goes across the street and pistol whips the neighbor after the neighbor sexually attacked Karen.
  • The Oscar nominated Burt Reynolds film, Starting Over has the school carnival scene filmed at what is now known as the Hudson Montessori School on Quaker Ridge Road.
  • The song "Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm" from the Broadway show "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" is about Rosemary's desire to become a trophy wife and live in a mansion in New Rochelle.
  • In 1979 the famous Mean Joe Green Coke commercial was shot over a three day period in New Rochelle, New York.
  • Musicals Give My Regards To Broadway and Guys and Dolls both mention New Rochelle.
  • The character James 'Spike' Thompson (Dexter Fletcher) in the ITV series Press Gang comes from New Rochelle, but lives in Norbridge, England.

[edit] Transportation

By railroad: the city has a railroad station served by Metro North, the County Bee-Line service. Amtrak also serves New Rochelle.

By Car: major highways include Interstate 95 and the Hutchinson River Parkway.

Formerly served by the New York, Westchester and Boston Railway.

[edit] Education

New Rochelle has one of the finest and most extensive educational systems in Westchester County, including a renown public high school, two junior high schools, ten elementary schools, and many private and parochial schools. On three separate occasions, the City's school system has claimed the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education. In a recent special education report, The Wall Street Journal sited the New Rochelle school system as one of the top 20 in the country.

[edit] Colleges and universities

[edit] Primary and secondary education

Residents are zoned to schools in the City School District of New Rochelle.

Private schools include:

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New Rochelle High School


[edit] External links

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