Peekskill, NY

Peekskill is a small town located in Westchester County, New York. The population of Peekskill was 10,849 as of the 2010 census. The town is known for its many historic homes and buildings, as well as its proximity to the Shawangunk Ridge. Peekskill has been a center of real estate activity for over 150 years.

The history of real estate in Peekskill can be traced back to 1792 when John Jay purchased land in the area and began developing it into a farm. In 1810, Joshua Hett Smith purchased land in what would become Peekskill and began developing it into a mill village. By 1825, there were already six mills operating in Peekskill.

In 1851, George Waring built the first house on Main Street (now Broadway). This house still stands today and is one of the most famous landmarks in Peekskill. Waring's success led to an influx of other businessmen and landowners who began building homes in the area. By 1870, there were already 100 houses on Main Street alone.

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Peekskill became known for its many mansions owned by wealthy families from New York City. These families would come down to enjoy the warm weather during summer months and stay up until late at night socializing with one another. This period is now referred to as "the Gilded Age."

In 1916, Congress passed legislation creating National Park Service units which included Shawangunk Ridge National Monument (now part of Shawangunk Ridge State Park). This led to an increase in tourism which helped revive the economy of Peekskill during this time period. In 1924, Congress created Bear Mountain State Park which further increased tourism in the area.

Today, real estate activity continues to be strong in Peekskill thanks largely to its close proximity to major cities such as New York City and Albany (via Interstate 87). There are currently over 1,000 properties available for sale in Pekskill alone!