Eastchester Historical Society

Famous places

St. Paul's Church: At the time of the Revolution the church was unfinished and used primarily as a hospital by the British. Hessian soldiers, approximately 100 in number, are buried in the churchyard near the common grave of some unknown dead who were killed in a skirmish at Tuckahoe. Congress in 1943 designated St. Paul's as the national shrine of the Bill of Rights. St. Paul's church is located at South Columbus Avenue, Mt. Vernon.

One of the hidden gems of our county is St. Paul's Church, Eastchester. The church has been within the City of Mt. Vernon since the late 19th century, but was the original town church for Eastchester, situated on the village green. The first church building on the site, a simple wooden structure, was built in 1692. The current structure was built in 1763, with numerous additions and subtractions since that date.

Marble Schoolhouse: Built in 1835 of world renowned "Tuckahoe Marble," the one-room schoolhouse was located on White Plains Road until 1869 when it was moved to its present location near the intersection of California and New Rochelle Roads. It remained a functioning school until 1884.

The Eastchester Historical Society has restored the school to its 1835 appearance with authentic period furnishings. School groups are invited to spend a day at the school to study as children did in the 1800's. Tours are available to the public on request.

Hotel Gramatan: built in 1905. Huge Spanish-style hotel built to replace an earlier inn, and to accommodate the large influx of artists and writers when the village became a hotbed of turn-of-the-century culture. The hotel was demolished in 1972.

Ward House/Marble Hall: Circa 1797. Originally owned by the Stephen Ward family, it was sold in the 1800's to John Hayward who operated it as a tavern, "The Marble Hall." In the 1830's he entertained President Martin Van Buren. Originally built as a residence, the Ward House has undergone many identities – from homestead, to local tavern, to a central post during the American Revolution, to a hideout for bootleggers. Today it enjoys a much more placid incarnation as a dormitory on the Concordia College campus. Ward House is the most important Revolutionary site in Eastchester. "Dutch" Schultz the infamous gangster and bootlegger lived in the house across the street. There was a tunnel connecting both houses which is now closed in.

Immaculate Conception Church: It took more than 3 years to complete work on Immaculate Conception Church. On May 19, 1912, his Eminence John Cardinal Farley consecrated the new church.

Main St. School: Built in 1906. Tuckahoe High School: Siwanoy Boulevard 1931.

Waverly School Waverly Square

Old Stone Cotton Mill c. 1814 Hodgman Rubber Co. 1852

Town Hall: The site was originally a farm, later a country club and golf club. Dedicated in 1957 and converted to Pennsylvania style utilizing the existing stonework and slate roof. Town Hall is the only town center in Westchester County to house a wide variety of town departments and local civic functions.

Eastchester Memorial Park: Located at the junction of White Plains Road and Stewart Place, this triangular park is dedicated to the memory od those who died in the service of their country, and other Eastchester residents. It was dedicated in 1972 by the then President Richard M. Nixon.

Annabell's Diner Waverly Square 1934 Morris Bros.

Old house in Eastchester Chester Heights

Depot Plaza Dusenberry Bldg. c. 1900 The Washington Hotel 1883

Marble Quarry 1822-1930 Leewood Beverages 1914

Lyric Theatre Main St. 1922-1952 Murray's Parkway Casino Elm St. 1936