Eastchester, NY

Eastchester is a town in the Bronx, New York City. It is located on the eastern border of the borough, just south of Pelham Bay Park. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,594.

The area that would become Eastchester was first settled by Dutch and English colonists in 1664. The community was officially founded in 1784 and named for Eastcheap in London. The first recorded sale of property in what would become Eastchester took place on October 10th of that year when Nicholas Bayard sold land to John Watts for $1 an acre.

In 1853, a railroad line was built through Eastchester which spurred development along its route. Numerous factories were erected to produce goods used by the railroad workers; these included a woolen mill, a foundry and machine shop, and a brewery.

The opening of Fordham University in 1841 led to an increase in population; as did waves of Irish immigrants who worked on local farms or as laborers at nearby factories. By 1870, Eastchester had reached its peak population with 9,000 residents.

However, by 1920 the town's population had declined to 5,000 due largely to suburbanization and increased automobile ownership; this trend continued throughout the 20th century until recent years when gentrification has led to an increase in population once again.

Today, Eastchester is known for its many historic homes which are situated along tree-lined streets and offer stunning views of Pelham Bay Park or Long Island Sound. Many notable people have lived in or been associated with Eastchester including Franklin D Roosevelt (who attended school here), Jackie Robinson (a resident), Lee Iacocca (the founder of Chrysler Corporation), Arthur Ashe (the first African American man to win a Grand Slam tennis title), and Diane von Furstenberg (an American fashion designer).