Harrison, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Harrison, New York
settlement_type = Village
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

|pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of New York
pushpin_mapsize =
|pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of New York
pushpin_mapsize =


mapsize =
map_caption =


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New York
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Westchester
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 45.0
area_land_km2 = 43.6
area_water_km2 = 1.5
area_total_sq_mi = 17.4
area_land_sq_mi = 16.8
area_water_sq_mi = 0.6

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 24154
population_density_km2 = 554.1
population_density_sq_mi = 1435.2

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 21
elevation_ft = 69
latd = 41 |latm = 0 |lats = 25 |latNS = N
longd = 73 |longm = 43 |longs = 5 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 10528
area_code = 914
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-32402
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0977345
website =
footnotes =

Harrison is a town/village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 24,154 at the 2000 census. The village is coterminous with the town of the same name, and has a consolidated town/village government.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 17.4 square miles (45.0 km²), of which, 16.8 square miles (43.6 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.5 km²) of it (3.22%) is water.

The distance from Harrison Station to Grand Central Station in Midtown Manhattan is about 27 miles.

Harrison is bordered by White Plains, Rye, and Mamaroneck. The New England Thruway (I-95) runs through the town (without any interchanges) as well as the Cross Westchester Expressway (I-287) and the Hutchinson River Parkway. In addition, I-684 passes through Harrison and ends at the Cross Westchester Expressway and the Hutchinson River Parkway.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 24,154 people, 8,394 households, and 6,186 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,435.2 people per square mile (554.1/km²). There were 8,680 housing units at an average density of 515.8/sq mi (199.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 89.78% White, 1.43% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 5.44% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.59% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.70% of the population.

There were 8,394 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the village the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $80,738, and the median income for a family was $98,167. Males had a median income of $63,871 versus $41,581 for females. The per capita income for the village was $49,652. About 4.2% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.Harrison is also known for its large Italian American population.

The first European inhabitants of Harrison were most likely Quakers who settled in Purchase. Since then various religious communities have come to call Harrison home. Catholics worship either at St. Gregory the Greater Church [http://www.stgregorys.org/history/history.html] in Harrison or St. Anthony of Padua Church in West Harrison; Orthodox Christians at the Greek Orthodox Church of Our Savior [http://www.gocoos.org] ; and Episcopalians at All Saints Church in Harrison. Presbyterians also have a church in Harrison; as well as Jews who gather at the Young Israel of Harrison or Harrison Jewish Community Center.

History

* According to a local legend, in 1695 John Harrison was given 24 hours to ride his horse around an area which would become his. Though this is up for debate, the town gets its name from him.

* The Horton Grist Mill was built, off today's Lake St. in West Harrison, sometime before the Revolutionary War.

* Merritt's Hill (on Lake St.) in West Harrison was the site of a battle during the Revolutionary War.

* On March 7, 1788, by an act of the New York State government, Harrison's Purchase became the Town of Harrison.

* During the 1830s, David Haviland settled in Harrison producing the Haviland China which he sold in his store in New York City, before returning to France.

* In 1848, the railroad began to carry passengers from Manhattan to Connecticut passing through what is downtown Harrison. Harrisonites had to flag down the train to get a ride. The station was built in 1870.

* In 1867 Benjamin Holladay purchased the land that is now Manhattanville College in Purchase. On the property is a Norman style Roman Catholic chapel built for his wife. There is also Reid castle, once called the Ophir House, before renamed for a later purchaser. The castle would host the King and Queen of Siam in the early 1930s.

* In 1929, the Hutchinson River Parkway was extended to Harrison.

Villages and areas within the town of Harrison

* Purchase is a hamlet located in the northeastern portion of the town. Both the State University of New York at Purchase and Manhattanville College are located in Purchase.

* West Harrison is the more village section of Harrison. It contains the Passidomo Veterans Memorial Park and Pool and the Leo Mintzer Center. West Harrison also contains the battle ground from Battle of White Plains from the Revolutionary War [ [http://www.town.harrison.ny.us/harrison_sub_com_content_history.html History ] ] . Silver Lake is also the home of the notorious haunted road Buckout Road, where it is said to have been a home of witches, albinos and slaughters. [ [http://www.bedofnailz.com/buckout.html BUCKOUT ROAD - history, urban legends, hauntings, ghosts - Westchester County alleged haunted road ] ]

Notable people, past and present

* Peter Chernin, president of News Corporation
* Kenneth Cole, fashion designer; resides in the Purchase sub-section of Harrison.
*Amelia Earhardt, pioneer aviatrix; lived in Harrison near Rye border.
* Tex Fletcher, WOR radio star, singing cowboy, star of movie "Six-Gun Rhythm" (1939).
*Ralph Friedgen, head coach of the University of Maryland football team, is a native of Harrison.
*Larry Johnson, retired professional basketball player.
* Bobby Jordan, "Dead End Kids" actor; born and spent early childhood in Harrison.
* Nita Lowey, U.S. Representative from New York; resides in Harrison.
*John Mara, CEO and co-owner of the NFL New York Giants.
*Stephon Marbury, professional basketball player.
*Mariano Rivera, relief pitcher for the New York Yankees lives in Harrison during the baseball season.
* Babe Ruth, hall of fame baseball player, owned a house on Westchester Country Club grounds and frequently played golf there.
*Latrell Sprewell, former professional basketball player.
*John Thain, CEO of Merrill Lynch.
*Isiah Thomas, head coach and general manager for the NBA's New York Knicks.
* Joe Torre, former manager of the New York Yankees; resides in Harrison.
*Stuart Sternberg, businessman and principal owner of the Tampa Bay Rays.

References

External links

* [http://www.hometwn.com The Harrison Report Newspaper]
* [http://www.town.harrison.ny.us/ Harrison official website]
* [http://www.harrisoncsd.org/ Harrison Central School District Website]
* [http://www.harrisonfootball.net/ Harrison Huskies Football Website]
* [http://www.intownconnect.com/ InTown Westchester Magazine]
* [http://www.lohud.com/ The Journal News, the local newspaper]
* [http://www.politicsarelocal.com/ POLITICSARELOCAL.com blog]
* [http://www.harrisonwatchdog.com/ Harrison residents' action website]
* [http://www.westchesterlibraries.org/libs/harrison/ Harrison Public Library]
* [http://www.bedofnailz.com/buckout.html/ Buckout Road]