Harrison was established in 1696 by a patent granted by the British government to John Harrison and three others, who had a year earlier bargained with local Native Americans to purchase an area of land above Westchester Path (an old trail that led from Manhattan to Port Chester) and below Rye Lake.[3] Local custom holds that Harrison was given 24 hours to ride his horse around the area he could claim, and the horse couldn't swim or didn't want to get its feet wet, but this is folklore.[4] In fact, the land below Westchester Path and along Long Island Sound had already been purchased and partly developed by the settlers of Rye, New York.
The area that became Harrison had also been sold in 1661 or 1662, and again in 1666, to Peter Disbrow, John Budd, and other investors or early residents of Rye.[5] Disbrow and Budd evidently lost their paperwork and the land was ultimately granted to Harrison and his co-investors in 1696. So upset were the people of Rye that they seceded to the Colony of Connecticut until 1700, when the King of England ordered Rye to rejoin the Colony of New York.[6]
The first permanent residents of Harrison's Purchase, as it was called, arrived in about 1725, and many early settlers were Quakers, who set up a Friend's Meeting House at a settlement located in the part of Harrison now called Purchase.[4][7] Harrison's Purchase was administered jointly by the settlers of Rye until it was incorporated as a town on March 7, 1788, by an act of the New York State legislature.[8]
Merritt's Hill in West Harrison was the site of the Battle of White Plains during the Revolutionary War. Regiment 182 of the Continental Army, of the 367 regiments there, was the Harrison Regiment, composed solely of people from Harrison.
During the 1830s, David Haviland settled in Harrison where he produced Haviland China which he sold in his store in New York City before returning to his native France. Today there exists a Haviland Street in the downtown business district, as well as a Haviland Road in the Sterling Ridge neighborhood of Harrison, whose only street sign is of a historic wrought iron design in scrolled shapes, quite older than many others throughout the town.
In 1867 Benjamin Holladay purchased a tract of land, which is now the campus of Manhattanville College. He constructed an elaborate granite mansion, now known as the college's Reid Castle, and an elaborate Norman-style Roman Catholic chapel for his wife. The castle hosted the King and Queen of Siam in the early 1930s.[citation needed] The castle was at one time known as Ophir House, in reference to different owners.
In 1929, Harrison's former Sunnyridge Farm, located less than a half mile from the train station, was purchased by real estate developer Sidney H. Sonn, of H. & S. Sonn, Co. of New York City, and subdivided into lots for a real estate development. H. & S. Sonn laid out new streets throughout, preserving the farm's private access road to the farm residence as today's Sunny Ridge Road. According to a 1928 New York Times article, "[H. & S. Sonn] virtually transformed their part of the old farm into a park, installed winding tree-lined motorways and water, gas, sewers, and electricity, and landscaped the entire 165 acres, then they erected ten English-type houses which were designed by Julius Gregory, one of them being completely furnished by Charles of London."[9] H. & S. Sonn contracted Julius Gregory to develop house plans for single family houses in their new Sunny Ridge development, as it was termed. A new model was developed to construct homes that were of durable materials, to be resistant to exterior maintenance, using only brick, stone, and old-growth oak timber as exterior materials. The fashionable new neighborhood attracted the attention of New York banking, business, and entertainment elites, attracting Wall Street financier William Harty; then-owner of Condé Nast, Joseph J. Lane; Musical star Louise Groody; and Fitzhugh Green, of Putnam's Publishing House, among the first residents of the new neighborhood.[9]
Sidney Sonn renovated farm's original house, an immense, elaborate, 20-room, 1875 Victorian mansion, into an English Tudor, designed by renowned architect Julius Gregory, father of the American Tudor-Revival style and movement of the 1920s, as a residence for himself.[9][10]
Only a small handful of homes were sold and constructed before the economic downturn of the Great Depression. The remaining vast majority of homes were constructed beginning in the middle-1940s, with the last plots filled during the 1950s. The styles of the newer, 1940s-era homes was primarily of colonial revival style, with the newest ranging into Mid-century-Modern. The older, Tudor homes as a result remain quite notable.[9]
The 1875 Sunny Ridge farm mansion was renovated to include a 14th-century woodcut from Europe, installed into the wall over the living room fireplace, among several other ancient relics, built into the home. The home was sold for the first time since the 1920s renovation in the summer of 2017, and was demolished to make way for two new homes. It was not protected by any state or local historic preservation acts.
Political history
In 1967, 200 residents stated support for a plan to incorporate Purchase, a community in Harrison, so that corporations could not build in the community.[11] In response, officials from the Town of Harrison put forward plans to try to become a city to try to stop Purchase from seceding from Harrison.[12] The resolution was for the Town became a hybrid "Town / Village", which it remains today.
John A. Passidomo (1921–2005) was first elected mayor in 1965 by only 67 votes. Re-elected eight times, he served until 1983 when he resigned to become Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.[13] In his two and a half years at that job, he helped pass one of the nation's first seat-belt laws despite the law's unpopularity.[14]
Harrison's "Platinum Mile", a string of corporate office parks along I-287 in the Purchase section of Harrison, developed under Passidomo. The mayor played an instrumental role in attracting large corporations such as PepsiCo, MasterCard and Texaco.
In the early 1970s, under Passidomo's supervision, a group in the Purchase section of town, concerned about the town's overdevelopment, attempted to incorporate as a village and thereby separate from the town of Harrison. Creatively, to avoid being served papers that would have begun the legal proceedings for Purchase to incorporate as a village, Passidomo entered his office through the fire escape. He then immediately made sure that the town Harrison became a village but remained as a town to end to the possibility of Purchase's secession, since a village cannot legally be formed in another village.[citation needed]
The list of supervisors/mayors begins at 1946; however, there were mayors before that.
Alfred F. Sulla, Jr. 1946-1955
Alfred F. Sulla, Jr. 1958-1965
John Passidomo 1965–1983
Pat V. Angarano 1983–1990
Charles Balancia 1990–1994
Philip A. Marraccini (R) 1994–1998
Ronald Bianchi (D) 1998–2002
Stephen Malfitano (R) 2002–2008
Joan Walsh (D) 2008–2012
Ronald Belmont (R) 2012–2022
Richard Dionisio (R) 2022-present
Geography
Harrison is an affluent town and village in Westchester County, New York, approximately 22 miles (35 km) northeast of Manhattan, New York City. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town (and coterminous village) has a total area of 17.4 square miles (45 km2), of which 16.8 square miles (44 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2), or 3.22%, is water. The population was 27,472 at the 2010 census.
The boundaries of the town of Harrison are the approximate shape of a figure-eight. The southern half is known as simply Harrison, or downtown, while the hamlets of Purchase and West Harrison are located in the northern portion of the town. The "downtown" southern half of Harrison is divided into four general areas: Brentwood Plaza, Sunnyridge, Sterling Ridge/The Trails, and the Village part of Harrison.
West Harrison is an isolated community, lodged between a tall hill bordered by a lake, Interstate 287, a tall relatively steep hill, and a cliff at the northern edge. Because of this, there is a general lack of street entrances. There is really only one road into it, although there are a few other "back" ways into it. The road is called Lake Street, flanked on one side by Silver Lake Park, bordering the lake, and by a small business district on the other side of the street. West Harrison contains the Passidomo Veterans Memorial Park and Pool and the Leo Mintzer Center. West Harrison also contains the site of the Battle of White Plains from the Revolutionary War.[16] West Harrison is also the home of Buckout Road, which was said to have been a home of witches, albinos, and slaughters.[17]
Purchase is a more secluded area of Harrison, with winding roads and deep woods. The houses are larger, in often cases whole swaths of land developed in the late twentieth century, and early 2000s, comparably younger in age to the rest of the town.[citation needed]
Downtown is split into the four sections mentioned above, and is flanked by Interstate 95, the Hutchinson River Parkway, and the Metro-North Railroad. The manmade lines create isolation to areas, with few areas to cross each. Harrison's only middle school, Louis M. Klein Middle School, and only High School, Harrison High School, are located in the "downtown" area. The four areas of downtown, as separated by the boundaries of Interstate 95 and the railroad tracks as well as separated by wealth gaps, are very diverse. Despite its name, "Downtown" is not in any sense a business district, it is much rather a residential enclave, featuring houses of every wealth level.
Harrison village, New York – racial and ethnic composition (NH = Non-Hispanic) Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
At the 2000 census,[22] there were 24,154 people, 8,394 households and 6,186 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,435.2 inhabitants per square mile (554.1/km2). There were 8,680 housing units at an average density of 515.8 per square mile (199.2/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 89.78% White, 1.43% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 5.44% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.59% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.70% of the population.
There were 8,394 households, of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.20.
24.5% of residents were under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
According to a 2009 estimate,[23] the median household income was $104,640, and the median family income was $130,224. The per capita income for the village was $63,742. About 4.2% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
Harrison Central School District operates Harrison High School, and Louis M. Klein Middle School, both located in the Downtown area. Additionally, the district also operates four public elementary schools. Purchase School serves Purchase and the northern section of West Harrison, Preston School serves the Silver Lake area of West Harrison, and Parsons School serves South Downtown. The fourth school, Harrison Avenue School, serves the remaining area of "Downtown", Sunnyridge, Sterling Ridge/The Trails, and The Brentwood.[34]
Harrison is traversed by several of Westchester County's major arteries.
I-287 (Cross-Westchester Expressway) traverses the center of the town, between Purchase and Downtown. West Harrison is served by Exit 8 (NY 127). Downtown and Purchase are served by Exits 9 (Hutchinson River Parkway) and 10 (NY 120/NY 120A).
I-95 (New England Thruway) crosses downtown, although no interchanges are located within Harrison.
I-684 travels north from Interstate 287, and forms a border between West Harrison and Purchase. Harrison is served by exit 2 (Westchester County Airport), which is located in North Castle. Additionally, Harrison is served by the Manhattanville Road exit off the connector road between I-684 and the Hutchinson River Parkway.
Hutchinson River Parkway runs along the western edge of Downtown, forming a border between Harrison and White Plains. North of Interstate 287, the parkway turns eastward towards Rye Brook and Greenwich, Connecticut. Downtown is served by exits 23 (Mamaroneck Avenue), and 25 (NY 127/North Street). Purchase is served by exits 27 (NY 120), and 28 (Lincoln Avenue).
Harrison is served by several other significant roads.
NY 120 enters Harrison from the east near Rye's central business district. The route parallels the western edge of I-287 for several blocks, to Westchester Avenue, where NY 120 meets the southern end of NY 120A, an alternate route through Rye Brook. NY 120 follows Westchester Avenue, which forms collector/distributor roads running along I-287. About a half-mile west, NY 120 turns north, and passes through Purchase, where it intersects the Hutchinson River Parkway at exit 27. Continuing north, the route runs along the eastern edge of the campus of Manhattanville College, and passes a short distance west of the State University of New York at Purchase. The route continues north towards Westchester County Airport, and North Castle, as well as an intersection with I-684 at exit 2.
NY 120A terminates just inside of Harrison along Westchester Avenue.
NY 127 runs across downtown as Harrison Avenue and North Street. The route enters from Mamaroneck as Harrison Avenue, a short distance from its terminus at US 1. Some distance north, the route intersects Halstead Avenue, Downtown's main business strip. The route also intersects the New Haven Line, and has an intersection with the Hutchinson River Parkway on the White Plains/Harrison line (exit 25).
There are several cemeteries in the downtown, including many small family plots dating back to the 17th century and before. Greenwood Union Cemetery is a cemetery shared by the city of Rye. There is also the Small Roman Catholic Cemetery dating back to when Harrison was first discovered in the 17th century. It is located right on the border of Rye and Harrison. This was a domain for Indian burials.
Country clubs
The Westchester Country Club,
Apawamis Golf Club,and Harrison Meadows Country Club, are all located in Harrison. All three of them are next to each other in the southern half ("downtown") portion of the town. A portion of Apawamis, including its entrance is located in Rye, New York. Harrison Meadows Country Club is a publicly owned club with membership open to all town residents.
The Purchase section of Harrison has Old oaks Country Club and Purchase Country Club along Purchase Street, Braeburn Country Club off Braeburn Drive, and Century Country Club along Anderson Hill Road.[36]
Post offices
Harrison contains two post offices; one is located in the downtown section on Halstead Avenue, and the other is in Purchase, facing Purchase Street, near the intersection with Anderson Hill Road.
Harrison is protected by one combination and two all-volunteer fire districts. The Harrison Fire Department being the combination department, the West Harrison Fire Department, and the Purchase Fire Department being all volunteer. The total fire apparatus amount in the town/village are three trucks, nine engines, two rescues, and many other special units. Altogether, there are 4 fire departments that protect Harrison.
On June 22, 2023, Harrison agreed to settle an employment discrimination lawsuit brought by the Justice Department. The $450,000 settlement is one of the largest payments by a municipality in an employment discrimination case brought by the United States on behalf of a single individual.[40] The municipality and fire department also agreed to federal monitoring as part of the settlement for two years.
Lou Bender (1910–2009), pioneer player with the Columbia Lions and in early pro basketball, who was later a successful trial attorney.[41]
Amelia Earhart (1897–1937), the aviator lived in Harrison in a home on what is now Amelia Earhart Lane off Locust Avenue while she was married to publisher George Putnam. A monument consisting of a bronze plaque with a propeller attached to a stone, was laid in a small park in Harrison after she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.[a][b]
Tex Fletcher (1909–1987), a singing cowboy with credits as a recording artist, Broadway and movie actor, night club performer, and radio and television personality.[c]
^ ab"The memorial commemorated Earhart's record of being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. (George Palmer Putnam at far right)."
[42]
^ ab"The Putnam home is in Harrison, but the garden juts across the line to Rye."[43]
^"It turns out that Ol' Tex was born in Harrison, New York, and was christened Geremino Bisceglia by his Italian-immigrant parents."[44]
^"Born in Harrison, N.Y. His father, 'Big Ralph' Friedgen, had played football with Vince Lombardi at Fordham and was a high school coach."[45]
^"Former Seton Hall basketball coach Bobby Gonzalez pleaded not guilty yesterday to shoplifting a satchel at a shopping mall last month in New Jersey. Gonzalez spoke during his five-minute arraignment in Newark only to verify his address in Harrison, Westchester County.
^"But perhaps the most important cue that Marotta took from his brother was when he followed those larger footsteps up to the attic of the family's house in Harrison."[47]
^"John F. McGillicuddy, who assembled one of first big bank mergers in the wave of consolidation that emerged from the economic slump of the early 1990s, the one between Manufacturers Hanover and Chemical Bank, died on Sunday at his home in Harrison, N.Y."[48]
^"Rivera lived in New Rochelle from 1996 to 1999 and now lives in Harrison."[49]
^"I was born in Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, raised in Harrison, New York, about 25 miles north in Westchester County", Rogowsky told HuffPost.[50]
^"He was born Eugenio Saraceni, the son of an Italian carpenter from Rome, Feb. 27, 1902, in Harrison, N.Y."[52]
^ abcdef"HOME BUILDERS BUY SUNNY RIDGE PLOTS: Sonn Interests Sell Sites in Harrison development to Westchester purchasers". New York Times. February 5, 1928. p. 163 – via ProQuest.
^"A Beautifully Detailed, Original Lithograph of the House of Sidney H. Sonn in Sunny Ridge, Harrison, New York". The American Architect: 801. June 20, 1929.
^"Investor InformationArchived August 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine." Atlas Air. Retrieved on August 6, 2011. "AAWW Investor Relations 2000 Westchester Avenue Purchase, NY 10577-2543"
^"Contact UsArchived April 26, 2016, at the Wayback Machine." Polar Air Cargo. Retrieved on February 13, 2011. "Atlas Air / Polar Air Cargo – Headquarters 2000 Westchester Avenue Purchase, NY 10577 USA"
^Hogan, Patrick. "Lenovo shifting U.S. headquarters to Morrisville, but will cut 300-350 Triangle jobs." Triangle Business Journal. Thursday March 16, 2006. Updated Friday March 17, 2006. p.1. Retrieved on October 12, 2012.
^ abSculle, Keith A. (July 1989). "The National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Preservation Possibilities National Park Service Frederick: A Historic Preservation Commission at Work National Park Service". The Public Historian. 11 (3): 92–94. doi:10.2307/3378617. ISSN0272-3433. JSTOR3378617.
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