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Yonkers Historical Society

1500 Central Park Avenue
914-961-8940

Founded in 1646 by Adriaen Van der Donck, whose title “Jonkheer” (Dutch for “young gentleman”) became the city’s name, Yonkers served as the administrative center for the vast Philipse manor estate until the American Revolution. Incorporated as a village in 1855 and a city in 1872, Yonkers’ location ensured its rise during the nineteenth century as a leading industrial center. Yonkers residents Elisha Graves Otis invented the safety elevator, Edwin Armstrong the FM radio, Leo Baekeland "bakelite," and Charles T. Harvey the first elevated train. Long known as the “City of Gracious Living” for its fine neighborhoods, Yonkers is home to golf in America (1888), Riverfest, the second oldest annual marathon in the country (Boston is oldest), and the Untermyer Performing Arts Festival.


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