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Ossining (village), New York
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ossining, New York | |
|---|---|
  Ossining, New York
|
|
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Westchester |
| Area | |
| - Total | 6.3 sq mi (16.4 km²) |
| - Land | 3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²) |
| - Water | 3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²) |
| Elevation | 161 ft (49 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 24,010 |
| - Density | 7,464.8/sq mi (2,882.2/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 10562 |
| Area code(s) | 914 |
| FIPS code | 36-55530 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0959520 |
Ossining is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 24,010 at the 2000 census. As a village, it is located in the Town of Ossining.
Contents |
Ossining borders the eastern shores of the widest part of the Hudson River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.4 km²), of which, 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²) of it is land and 3.1 square miles (8.1 km²) of it (49.37%) is water.
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 24,010 people, 8,227 households, and 5,339 families residing in the village. The population density was 7,464.8 people per square mile (2,879.0/km²). There were 8,515 housing units at an average density of 2,647.4/sq mi (1,021.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 60.47% White, 20.23% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 4.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 10.44% from other races, and 4.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.71% of the population.
There were 8,227 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the village the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 39.1% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 117.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.4 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $52,185, and the median income for a family was $60,179. Males had a median income of $40,412 versus $36,975 for females. The per capita income for the village was $25,036. About 7.6% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
Early 17th century Dutch maps of the Hudson River Valley show an Indian village, whose inhabitants were part of the Mohegan Tribe, named "Sint Sinck." That phrase, when translated, means "stone upon stone" and refers to the extensive beds of limestone found in the southern part of the village.
In 1685, the Sint Sincks sold their land to Frederick Philipse who incorporated it into his land holdings known as the Manor of Philipsburg. The Manor comprised of about 165,000 acres (668 km²) and extended from Spuyten Duyvil Creek at the tip of Manhattan on the south to the Croton River just north of the Village of Ossining. The land was leased to tenant farmers of Dutch, French, and English origin.
The area remained with the family until the end of the Revolution when the last Lord of the Manor, Colonel Frederick Philipse, was imprisoned for being a British loyalist. His land was confiscated by the Commissioners of Forfeiture of the new State of New York and sold at auction. Many of the farms were sold to the tenant farmers who had worked them, especially those who had supported the American cause. At this time the area became known as Sing Sing.
As the eighteenth century drew to a close, the Sing Sing hamlet became a successful port where local farm produce was shipped to New York City from docks at the mouth of today’s Kill Brook and Sparta Brook.
On April 2, 1813, Sing Sing became the first incorporated village in Westchester County to be state chartered.
In 1825, construction of Sing Sing Prison began. Native granite was used to build the first cellblock. Commerce and industry flourished throughout the 1800’s. The industrial growth included a shoe factory and a stove foundry, both of which relied on convict labor. As the prison became notorious, the village tried to distance itself from the prison’s harsh reputation and changed its name to Ossining on March 25, 1901.
Due to the history of the village, a number of Ossining structures are on the National Register of Historic Places, and the downtown shopping area has been deemed eligible for listing. In addition, the Sparta neighborhood has been designated a local historic district. Ossining’s role in New York’s heritage has been recognized by its inclusion, as one of only 14 areas, in an Urban Cultural Park System designed to attract visitors to the State.
Present day Ossining is a vital community with a vast range in types of housing, from the very modest to the luxurious estates, and a diversified population enjoying a healthy racial and religious mix. The Village of Ossining is situated within 3 square miles (8 km²) and according to the U.S. Bureau of Census, 2000 census 24,010 reside in this historic village on the Hudson River.
The Village boasts shopping centers; mini-malls, individual stores, and a historic crescent shaped downtown shopping area, which includes a variety of restaurants. The Arcadian Shopping Center contains banks, restaurants, a pharmacy, a supermarket, which caters to a variety of food needs, and stores for home decorating, gifts, toys and many other items. Additionally, the shopping center recently became home to a satellite campus of the Westchester Community College. Though the Village boasts these shopping centers, there is in fact only one actual mini-mall. Other stores of spread throughout the village, but with the exception of grocery shopping most residents leave the Village to shop. The local trade has been a topic of hot debate in local government meetings, but little has changed and there is not much to attract shoppers from outside communities.
Ossining has an extensive recreational program for all age groups, including a summer day camp for local children. Students and adults enjoy classes, trips, sports and other activities throughout the year. There are programs especially designed for senior citizens such as swimming, art and dance. There is a publicly owned boat and canoe club and boat launching ramp, and two private marinas.
The fire department and the ambulance corps, which includes an Advance Life Support Program, are made up of volunteers. There are services for seniors ranging from a nutritional program to club activities and trips. The Ossining Open Door Health Center has a sliding fee structure based on patient income. The Community Action Program (CAP) actively supports the interests of minorities and the poor, and the Interfaith Council for Action (IFCA) is involved in the rehabilitation of housing. The Ossining Historical Society Museum contains a wealth of information about the community and is staffed with knowledgeable and helpful volunteers. A unique edition of the history of the Jewish community of Ossining is available at the Ossining Historical Society Museum and the Ossining Public Library. In addition, there are many other numerous volunteer organizations that serve the community.
There are numerous houses of worship in the Ossining area including:
- Baptist
- Congregational
- Episcopal
- Non-denominational
- Ethical Society
- Evangelical
- Pentacostal
- Jehovah's Witnesses
- Jewish Conservative
- Jewish Orthodox (Chabad)
- Jewish Reform
- Latter-Day Saints
- Lutheran
- Methodist
- Presbyterian
- Roman Catholic
- Unitarian
In addition to Ossining’s public schools, there are three parochial schools in the area that include kindergarten through eighth grade. The Ossining High School, which was in the list of the country’s top 250 best schools in the year 2000, offers students a variety of enrichment opportunities, including two high school programs which offer college level courses. One of these is a free program of advanced placement courses, the other offers college credit courses under the supervision of Syracuse University. In 2007 Newsweek Magazine placed Ossining High School as the 124th best public school in the nation.
Ossining High School's former mascot and team name was the Indian however it is represented by the letter O, and does not have a mascot after the Riverhawk was disliked by many. After it was discovered by students that the Riverhawk is actually a flower and not a bird. This is still the subject of controversy today, and many students still wear old Indians jerseys and wear the headdress to games and pep rallies.
There is a satellite campus of the Westchester Community College, and in nearby Briarcliff Manor and Pleasantville there is Pace University.
The Ossining Public Library, originally chartered in 1893 as the Sing Sing Public Library, serves the residents of the Village and Town of Ossining, and parts of Briarcliff Manor, Yorktown, and New Castle. The current collections of the library include over 100,000 books, 10,000 non-print items, and 300 newspaper and magazine titles. As a charter member of the 38-member Westchester Library System, the Ossining Public Library can also offer its patrons access to the 1 million+ holdings of the other county libraries. An ambitious ($15.8 million) building program was started in 2005 to replace its 1960s-era facility with a new 48,000-square-foot (4,500 m²) building. The new Ossining Public Library opened in March, 2007 and added many new or enhanced services, including over 50 public Internet terminals, a 250-seat theater, an art gallery, a cafe, and the county's first radio frequency (RFID) circulation system. The building program was initiated and supervised by Edward Falcone, the library's director since 1992. In late 2006, Mr. Falcone left Ossining to assume the Deputy Director's position at the Yonkers (NY) Public Library. He was replaced by Elizabeth Bermel, who started in May 2007. The current 'Teen Room' is currently causing drama in the community. The library patrons are upset about the poor behavior allowed in the 'Teen Room' and the disruption it is causing. The librarians are not seen as being cooperative with this matter.
Ossining is probably best known as the home of Sing Sing Correctional Facility, one of the most famous New York state prisons.
Ossining is also the home of the worldwide Maryknoll Catholic missions.
Ossining is also the site of the Crotonville Institute, the famous General Electric leadership training facility, founded in 1956.
- Village of Ossining website
- Ossining.com: Ossining, NY's Hometown Web-newspaper
- Ossining Chamber of Commerce
- History, art and photos of Ossining
- Rotary Club of Ossining
- Ossining Public Library home page
- Ossining Volunteer Network
- Maryknoll
- Community Bible Church, non-denominational
- New York State Heritage Areas
- A Guide to All Ossining Businesses
- Ossining (village), New York is at coordinates Coordinates:
