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Nyack, New York

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The Tappan Zee Bridge from Nyack Pier

Nyack is a village in Rockland County, New York, United States. The population was 6,737 at the 2000 census. The village is located approximately 19 miles north of Manhattan, by way of driving. It lies on the west bank of the largest expanse of the Tappan Zee, directly across the river from Tarrytown, New York.

Nyack straddles the border of two towns and is located mostly within the Town of Orangetown with a small portion - one election district- within the Town of Clarkstown. The New York State Thruway (Interstate 87) and US Route 9W pass through the village.

Geography

Location of village within the Town of Orangetown, Town of Clarkstown and Rockland County, New York.

Nyack is located at 41°5′33″N 73°55′21″W / 41.09250°N 73.92250°W / 41.09250; -73.92250Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (41.092528, -73.922584)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 4.1 km² (1.6 mi²). 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is land and 2.1 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (51.88%) is water.

Nyack is on the west bank of the Hudson River, north of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

History

Nyack was originally settled by Native Americans known locally as the Nyack Indians, from whom the village takes its name.

Stone Indian relics and heaps of oyster shells found along the shore of the Hudson indicate this was a favorite fishing spot of the natives. In 1675, the first white man settled in Rockland County at Nyack. Three major industries once thrived here: sandstone quarrying for New York City building (ca. 1800-40), boat building - sloops, steamboats, and then pleasure craft and WWI & WWII submarine chasers (ca. l8l5-l948), and shoe manufacturing (ca. 1828-1900).

Nyack was incorporated as a village in 1782.

Subsequent history

Nyack is one of five villages and hamlets (Nyack, Central Nyack, South Nyack, Upper Nyack and West Nyack) that make up an area of southeastern Rockland County called The Nyacks. Named after the Native Americans who resided here prior to colonization, the village itself lies on the hilly terrain that meets the western shore of the Hudson River.

The village consists mostly of low-rise buildings that lie along the western shore of the Hudson River. Throughout the 18th century and 19th century, Nyack was known for its shipbuilding and was the main commercial center of Rockland County. In the 19th century, a number of factories manufactured shoes. The West Shore Railroad connected the village with Weehawken, New Jersey, where ferries took passengers to New York City, until it was discontinued in the second half of the 20th century. Though its population is not so great, it is relatively dense considering that the village of Nyack only takes up a total area of approximately 1.6 square miles (4.1 square kilometers), with over 50% of the area consisting of the water of the Hudson River. Despite being somewhat densely populated during the early 20th century, it wasn't until the completion of the Tappan Zee Bridge that the population increased and its commercial sector expanded. The village of Nyack is in the Nyack School District.

In the 1980s, the village underwent a major urban revitalization project to commercialize the downtown area and to expand its economy. It was at that time when the Helen Hayes Theater was built and the downtown area became home to many new business establishments.

Past residents of note

Famous residents of the Nyacks have included:

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 6,737 people, 3,188 households, and 1,511 families residing in the village. The population density was 3,378.1/km² (8,749.1/mi²). There were 3,288 housing units at an average density of 1,648.7/km² (4,270.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 63.81% White, 26.33% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.66% from other races, and 4.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.56% of the population.

There were 3,188 households out of which 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.0% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.6% were non-families. 42.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the village the population was spread out with 19.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $54,890, and the median income for a family was $69,146. Males had a median income of $50,043 versus $35,202 for females. The per capita income for the village was $32,699. About 2.2% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Tourism

Historical Markers

  • First Milestone from Nyack - Route 59 near Mountainview Avenue
  • Couch Court - 46 South Broadway
  • Edward Hopper House Art Center - 82 North Broadway
  • First Reformed Church - 18 South Broadway
  • Historic Underground Railroad - 298 Main Street
  • Historic Underground Railroad - 176 Main Street
  • Memorial Park - Piermont & DePew Avenues
  • Liberty Street School, Cornerstone Placement, Depew Avenue near Liberty Street
  • Nyack First Settlement - 17 South Broadway
  • Nyack Library - 59 South Broadway
  • Oak Hill Cemetery - 140 North Highland Ave

Landmarks and places of Interest

  • Edward Hopper House Art Center - 82 North Broadway - This home of the realist painter Edward Hopper was built in 1858. One room is devoted to materials about Hopper’s work and life in Nyack. Three other rooms provide space for monthly exhibits by local artists. The restored garden is the setting for jazz concerts on summer evenings.
  • John Green House - Main Street - Built in 1817 by John Green of local sandstone, now covered with stucco, painted yellow. This is the oldest house standing in Nyack. Green started the first lumber yard in Nyack and later opened a store. House is a private residence.
  • Julius Petersen Inc. - Foot of Van Houten Street - Old Nyack families held ownership of the yard. The John Van Houten Family, owners since the early 1800’s, originally founded the yard. Then James P. Voris and passed it onto Samuel Ayers and finally it was purchased in the 1940’s by Julius Petersen who built government crafts during the war effort. Young Edward Hopper spent time drawing and sketching here.
  • Nyack Library (Large collection of photographs, clippings and printed material on history of the Nyacks in 1903 Carnegie Library building.) - 59 South Broadway
  • Nyack - Tarrytown Ferry - Foot of Main Street - Begun 1834 by Isaac S Blauvelt on vessel named "Donkey," an anglo corruption of Dutch "donk ya," or 'thank you." Ferry remained in service until the opening of Tappan Zee Bridge in the l950's. This spot was also the start of the Nyack Turnpike, first direct highway across Rockland County.
  • Oak Hill Cemetery - 140 N. Highland Avenue (Rte. 9W) - 1840-present. Dedicated on June 27, 1848, it reflected a change from small family and religious burial grounds to community cemeteries. Graves include founders of Nyack, playwright Charles MacArthur and his wife, actress Helen Hayes, scientist and inventor William Hand, and artist Edward Hopper.
  • Tappan Zee Playhouse Site - 20 South Broadway
  • United States Post Office - 48 South Broadway

Camp

Camp Ramah Day Camp in Nyack is located in Nyack.

See also

Other Uses of the Word "Nyack"

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