Peekskill is a distinct scenic community along the Hudson River, located in an area where the river winds through the Bear Mountain highlands. Approximately 40 miles north of New York City, Peekskill is known as the “Gateway to the Hudson Highlands.” It was an early American industrial center primarily known for its iron plow and stove products. Its manufacturing base operated well into the late 1900s with the Fleischmann Company making yeast byproducts under the Standard Brands corporate name.

The City’s Waterfront served as a port for the shipping and receiving of raw materials and finished goods. The City’s river port thrived and provided an economic engine for the City and a region as a whole.

There is an abundance of Victorian homes in Peekskill that has sparked a movement of residents restoring them back to their original splendor. Peekskill is a diverse community that is growing. With its accessibility by rail and proximity to NYC, Peekskill is becoming a destination for families looking for a community with unique recreational facilities, scenic open space, and excellent health care.

There is always something to do in Peekskill. In early August during our “Peekskill Celebration” weekend you will be treated to a wide range of activities from musical entertainment, crafts, and food to an outstanding fireworks display. Peekskill is also the home of the Paramount Center for the Arts, a restored 1930’s theatre that schedules a wide variety of world-class performances and films throughout the year. Peekskill’s recent resurgence has been sparked by a growing artist district, which has added a new dimension to the community.

History

Peekskill was established as a distinct locale by travelers from the Hudson River in the 1600s. Henry Hudson, the English sea captain and explorer, sailed the river in the autumn of 1609 onboard the Dutch ship Half Moon. This voyage of exploration began the land claims made by the countries of Holland and England to the river valley.

The first European person recorded to set foot on this territory was Jan Peeck. The Peekskill region, and specifically what is now Annsville, was first identified by European immigrants as “Peeck’s Kill.” On various sloop journeys to this region at about 1650, Peeck exchanged various manufactured items with native tribal people located along Peekskill Bay, or what is now Annsville Creek, and possibly some distance up Peekskill Hollow Brook. The resident people identified themselves as “Sackhoes,” according to the phonetic transcription from their language.

While once unofficially known as Jan Peeck’s Creek, it was the formal transfer of itemized useful products by the Europeans to the Sachoes and their tribal representatives in 1685 that created Peek’s Kill as a distinct geographic location, recognized as a land deed. Among the items given to the Sachoes were: eight brass kettles, one thousand fish hooks, fifty-two knives, two swords, eight muskets, 40 bars of lead and five bullet molds, 15 pounds of gun powder, three pistols, two hundred needles, 15 axes, 15 hoes, 100 tobacco pipes, rum, beer and tobacco.

Peekskill served as an “Underground Railroad” station in the system that helped refugees from slavery. Spearheaded by Harriet Tubman, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church on Park Street was established in 1852. Prominent African-American property owners before the time of the Civil War, Hawley and Harriet Green were active residents active in the Abolitionist cause, and allowed their house at 1112 Main Street to be used as an Underground Railroad safehouse.

Peekskill Village in the era after the Civil War saw an economic and population expansion. The primary industry was the fashioning of cast iron cooking and heating stoves. Peekskill in 1895 had seven foundries and manufactured 200,000 stoves in the one year. There were also lumber yards, nickel plating works, boat builders, a hat factory, and a shirt and underwear factory.

By 1900 the large Fleischmann Company yeast and yeast byproducts industrial complex was established at Charles Point. This factory innovated several yeast and yeast by-products, and became the largest maker of such products in the world, helping to improve the quality of American breads.

Peekskill officially became an incorporated City on July 29, 1940.

Population: 22,441

Area: 5.5 square miles

Demographics

White: 57.12%

African American: 25.54%

Hispanic:12.92%

Asian:2.38%

Other: 2.04%

Median income: $47,177

Zip Code: 10566