Yorktown, New York
| Yorktown, New York | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
Yorktown Flag
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| Nickname(s): Cornhuskers | |
| Motto: Progress with Preservation | |
 Location of Yorktown, New York |
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| Coordinates: 41°16′56″N 73°48′33″W / 41.28222°N 73.80917°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Westchester |
| Government | |
| • Justice | Gary J. Raniolo |
| • Supervisor | Michael Grace |
| Area | |
| • Total | 39.3 sq mi (101.7 km2) |
| • Land | 36.7 sq mi (95.0 km2) |
| • Water | 2.6 sq mi (6.7 km2) |
| Elevation | 459 ft (140 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 36,081 |
| • Density | 920/sq mi (350/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 10598 |
| Area code(s) | 914 |
| FIPS code | 36-84077 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979663 |
| Website | www.yorktownny.org |
Yorktown is a town that lies on the north border in Westchester County, New York, in a suburb approximately 38 miles (61 km) north of midtown Manhattan. The population was 36,081 at the 2010 census.
Yorktown has a rich historical heritage beginning with the earliest known inhabitants—Mohegan, Osceola, Amawalk, Kitchawan, and Mohansic peoples—after which local places were named. Most of Yorktown was part of the Manor of Cortlandt, a Royal Manor established by King William III for the Van Cortlandt family.
The Croton River, which runs through the southern part of Yorktown, was dammed by New York City to provide its first major source of clean and reliable water. The first Croton Dam was located in Yorktown and broke in 1842, causing significant damage to property and major loss of life.
During the American Revolution, Yorktown was of strategic importance, with the Pines Bridge crossing guarded by a regiment of Rhode Island troops made up mostly of African Americans, who were massacred at the Davenport House in Croton Heights. A memorial to them was erected at the Presbyterian Church in Crompond, New York. Major John André, a British officer who communicated with Benedict Arnold, ate his final breakfast at the Underhill House on Hanover Street just before his capture and eventual hanging as a spy.
In 1788, the township was officially incorporated as Yorktown, commemorating the decisive Revolutionary War Battle of Yorktown, near Yorktown, Virginia, on October 19, 1781.
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