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Brewster, New York

Coordinates: 41°23′46″N 73°36′57″W / 41.39611°N 73.61583°W / 41.39611; -73.61583
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Brewster, New York
Village
Walter Brewster House
Walter Brewster House
Official seal of Brewster, New York
Seal
Location in Putnam County and the state of New York.
Location in Putnam County and the state of New York.
Coordinates: 41°23′46″N 73°36′57″W / 41.39611°N 73.61583°W / 41.39611; -73.61583
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
CountyPutnam
TownSoutheast
Area
[1]
 • Total0.49 sq mi (1.28 km2)
 • Land0.49 sq mi (1.27 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
466 ft (142 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total2,508
 • Density5,107.94/sq mi (1,974.01/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
10509
Area code845, 914
FIPS code36-08070
GNIS feature ID0944699
Websitewww.brewstervillage-ny.gov

Brewster is a village and the principal settlement within the town of Southeast in Putnam County, New York. Brewster's population was 2,508 at the 2020 census. The village, which is the most densely populated portion of the county, was named for two early farmer landowners, Walter and James Brewster, who donated land for the Brewster railroad station in 1848.[2]

History

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The village of Brewster derives its name from that of the landowner, Walter Brewster, who invited the New York and Harlem Railroad to build a depot on his property in 1848. Brewster's Station, New York (sometimes just "Brewster's"), appeared on maps,[3] on postcards, and in directories of Putnam County throughout the second half of the 19th century. It was officially incorporated as the Village of Brewster, New York, in 1894.

In 1886, historian William Smith Pelletreau published The History of Putnam County, New York. In his second chapter on the town of Southeast, he wrote: "The land now [1886] embraced within the limits of the village of Brewster consists of a farm which was sold by the commissioners of forfeiture to Peleg Bailey, in 1781. A portion of it afterward passed into the possession of Bailey Howes, his grandson, who sold 98 acres to Gilbert Bailey on April 1, 1833. Two other tracts containing 39 acres were sold to Gilbert Bailey, by William P. Downs and Frederick Parks in 1838. On February 17, 1848, Gilbert Bailey sold the whole tracts, estimated at 134 acres, to James and Walter F. Brewster, for the sum of $8,000."[4]

"At the time of the purchase, the New York and Harlem Railroad was finished and trains were running as far as Croton Falls. The road was surveyed as far as Pawling, and the prospect of its being continued to that point seemed certain, and to the new purchasers of the farm it seemed just the place for a station."[4]

"The New York and Harlem Railroad was finished to this place and the depot was built in that year, and what is now [1886] the Main street was opened, for the purpose of allowing the stages from Danbury to come to the station. Previous to this the firm of Crosby and DeForest had run a line of four horse stages to Croton Falls, from Danbury. The first new house in the place was built by Walter F. Brewster, in 1850 and stood in front of the present [1886] Methodist church."[4] That house, now listed as the Walter Brewster House on the New York State and national historic registers, is owned by the Landmark Preservation Society of Southeast.

"The Harlem Railroad's extension of its mileage in 1849 proved advantageous to Mr. Brewster, who needed all sorts of materials in his building activities. Large shipments were billed simply to 'Brewster's Station' for lack of better designation. This is the apparent origin of the village's name, which many years ago was shortened to Brewster."[2]

Post offices

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Jonathan F. Frost was the first Postmaster of the Brewster's Station post office, which operated from October 25, 1850, through April 28, 1883.[5]

During this period in American history, post offices were frequently located in the stores or businesses owned by the individuals who served as postmasters. This held true in the village of Brewster for the next century.

In 1863, the Brewster Station post office relocated to the A.F. Lobdell General Store, across from the railroad station, the present location of the Avery Building at 12–18 Main Street. Alexander F. Lobdell, the store's proprietor, was appointed postmaster by President Abraham Lincoln and was reappointed by Presidents Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Arthur, continuing as Brewster's postmaster until 1887.[6] The Brewster post office began operation on April 28, 1883, removing the word "Station" in its identity and postmarks.[5]

In 1887, the post office relocated to the Brewster Standard building, the present location of the Sprague Building at 31 Main Street. In 1886, Emerson W. Addis, publisher of the Brewster Standard weekly newspaper, became the postmaster and held that position until 1916.[6]

In 1916, the post office moved to new quarters on Park Street, between Main Street and Marvin Avenue, into the Rundall Building, and John Thorp became the new postmaster.[6]

In 1923, Ralph Diehl, proprietor of the Brewster Bakery, became postmaster, and the post office was moved to his baking plant on Progress Street in 1927. Howard Tuttle later became the postmaster, holding the position until 1934 when Seth Howes was appointed. In 1936, the post office relocated to the building now occupied by the Eagle Eye Thrift Shop at 65 Main Street.

Mr. Howes held the office until 1958 when John F. Larkin Jr. was made acting postmaster. He was later promoted to the full title of postmaster.[6]

On July 17, 1966, the post office relocated to a new brick building on Main Street, where it remained for the next three decades. Mr. Larkin retired in 1972 and was succeeded by Earl Tuttle, who became the last Southeast resident to hold the position of postmaster since that time. Mr. Tuttle retired in 1985.[6]

The new facility was the first Brewster post office to occupy a space that was specifically designed for the purpose, rather than being retrofitted from some previous use. It had a separate lobby to house post office boxes, a loading dock at the rear of the building and a postal inspector's separate entrance and hallway with one-way glass for observing postal workers and the public.

In the mid-1990s, the Main Street facility closed and a new post office opened at its present location at 3 Mount Ebo Road North outside the village limits in the town of Southeast. Although the new facility is more than 3 miles (5 km) from the center of Brewster, it still retains the designation and postmark "Brewster 10509".

"Brewster" vs. "Southeast"

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View of village from train station

Before 1962, there were several local post offices throughout the town of Southeast, located near larger concentrations of residences and businesses. The last of these, Southeast's Putnam Lake post office, closed in 1968.[5] When a new post office opened at 16 Main Street in Brewster on July 17, 1966,[6] even before Interstate 84 and Interstate 684 were constructed, it was named Brewster and given the zip code 10509.[5]

Geography

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Red chondrodite and black magnetite from the old Tilly Foster Mine in Brewster

Brewster is located along the East Branch of the Croton River at 41°23′46″N 73°36′57″W / 41.39611°N 73.61583°W / 41.39611; -73.61583 (41.396050, −73.615954),[7] near the center of the town of Southeast.

U.S. Route 6 runs through the village as its Main Street. U.S. Route 202 and New York State Route 22 run concurrently along the southern boundary of the village, and Interstate 84 passes just east of the village, intersecting Interstate 684. The Brewster train station is on the Harlem Line.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2), all land.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860176—
19001,192—
19101,2968.7%
1920859−33.7%
19301,66493.7%
19401,86312.0%
19501,810−2.8%
19601,714−5.3%
19701,638−4.4%
19801,6500.7%
19901,566−5.1%
20002,16238.1%
20102,39010.5%
20202,5084.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

As of the census[9] of 2020, there were 2,508 people residing in Brewster. There were 701 housing units at an average density of 1,851.6 per square mile (714.9/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 55.98% Hispanic or Latino, 36.61% non-Hispanic white, 2.59% African American, .42% Native American, 3.22% Asian, .04% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races.

Schools

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Government

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Notable people

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Athletes

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Entertainers

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Writers and artists

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Political Figures

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Media Personalities

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Sports Coaches

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Military Figures

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  • Enoch Crosby (1750–1835), American spy and soldier [43]
  • John McCloy (1875–1945), Lieutenant commander and a United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient[44]

References

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  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Brewster Through the Years 1848–1948, H. Wolff Book Manufacturing Co., New York 1948
  3. ^ Beers 1867 Atlas "Atlas of New York and Vicinity from Actual Surveys by and Under the Direction of F. W. Beers, A. D. Ellis and G. G. Soule, New York 1867"
  4. ^ a b c The History of Putnam County, New York. 1886. Reprinted by the Landmarks Preservation Committee of the Southeast Museum, Brewster, New York, 1975.
  5. ^ a b c d New York Postal History: The Post Offices and First Postmaster from 1775 to 1980 by John L. Kay and Chester M. Smith Jr., American Philatelic Society, 1982
  6. ^ a b c d e f The Town of Southeast 1788–1988 Edited by Suzanne F. Truran, John J. Dunford, Priscilla A. Truran – Published by the Town of Southeast, 1990
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  10. ^ "Official New York web site". Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  11. ^ "Official New York government web site".[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "Official New York Congressional Representatives". Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  13. ^ "Congressman Maloney Official Website". Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  14. ^ "State Senator Murphy".
  15. ^ Auchterlonie, Tom. "Jonke Wins Open Putnam Legislative Seat; Albano, Sullivan Cruise To Wins". Putnam Daily Voice. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  16. ^ "Putnum County Officials". Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  17. ^ "Brewster Web Site". Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  18. ^ "Elected Officials". Village o Brewster. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  19. ^ "Ralph Edwards Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  20. ^ "This Equestrian Facility Is GORGEOUS – Home To Olympic Champion McLain Ward – The Horseaholic". 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  21. ^ "Brewster's Shayna Levy Named Co-Defender of the Week". Southeast-Brewster, New York Patch. 2018-10-22. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  22. ^ "Brewster Tour To Visit Homes Of Celebrities; Benefit May 31 Lists Residences of Marian Anderson, Rex Stout". The New York Times. 1958-05-22. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  23. ^ "Glenda Farrell". Hometowns to Hollywood. 2018-05-07. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  24. ^ "WIFE SEEKING DATA FOR DIVORCE KILLED; Mrs. Herbert Gehr Is Shot to Death as She Knocks at Door of Brewster Cabin (Published 1950)". 1950-07-11. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  25. ^ "DONALD SYMINGTON Obituary (2013) – New York, NY – New York Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  26. ^ Billboard Staff (2004-08-30). "Singer Laura Branigan Dies At 47". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  27. ^ "'ROXY CARMICHAEL' FEATURES EX-PLAYMATE". Greensboro News and Record. 1990-10-20. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  28. ^ "MICHAEL IMPERIOLI IS WELL-SUITED FOR HIS ROLE ON 'THE SOPRANOS'". The Morning Call. 2000-08-27. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  29. ^ "Fanny Crosby Birthplace Historical Marker – Adventures Around Putnam". Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  30. ^ "Max Dreyfus, Music Publisher Who Headed Chappell, 90, Dies". The New York Times. 1964-05-16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  31. ^ "Bookbinding: its background and technique. · Grolier Club Exhibitions". grolierclub.omeka.net. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  32. ^ "Beach, Chester, 1881–1956 – Social Networks and Archival Context". snaccooperative.org. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  33. ^ "Rex Stout, Activist, Family Man, Author, & a person with many interests". www.nerowolfe.org. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  34. ^ "About Rex and Pola Stout – Index of Names & Places". Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  35. ^ "Fields, Dorothy (1904–1974) | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  36. ^ "John Bernard Myers papers | Collection | search=f=online_visual_material:true&s=4240&n=10&t=C&q=*:*&i=4243 | SOVA". sova.si.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  37. ^ "'Studio show' in Ossining". Patent Trader. Mount Kisco, New York: 39. 1971-09-16. ISSN 0746-1836.
  38. ^ "Trash invades N.Y. politics". NewsTimes. 2006-07-10. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  39. ^ Lewis, Paul (2000-04-30). "Evelyn Irons, War Reporter, Is Dead at 99". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  40. ^ "The Cult of Diana". Vanity Fair. 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  41. ^ "Cowboys hire Palmer". Alton Telegraph. 2006-01-31. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  42. ^ "Kevin Leighton Named Head Baseball Coach". Fordham Newsroom. 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  43. ^ Bear, Rob (2013-01-16). "Compound Built by Revolutionary War Spy, Listed for $1.4M". Curbed. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  44. ^ "John McCloy | Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) | U.S. Navy | Medal of Honor Recipient". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
[edit]
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