Brewster, New York

Brewster, New York
Village
Walter Brewster House
Seal
Location in Putnam County and the state of New York.
Coordinates: 41°23′46″N 73°36′57″W
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Putnam
Town	Southeast
Area [1]
• Total	0.49 sq mi (1.28 km^2)
• Land	0.49 sq mi (1.27 km^2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km^2)
Elevation	466 ft (142 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,508
• Density	5,107.94/sq mi (1,974.01/km^2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	10509
Area code	845, 914
FIPS code	36-08070
GNIS feature ID	0944699
Website	www.brewstervillage-ny.gov

Brewster is a village and the principal settlement within the town of Southeast in Putnam County, New York. Brewster's population was 2,508 at the 2020 census. The village, which is the most densely populated portion of the county, was named for two early farmer landowners, Walter and James Brewster, who donated land for the Brewster railroad station in 1848.^[2]

History

The village of Brewster derives its name from that of the landowner, Walter Brewster, who invited the New York and Harlem Railroad to build a depot on his property in 1848. Brewster's Station, New York (sometimes just "Brewster's"), appeared on maps,^[3] on postcards, and in directories of Putnam County throughout the second half of the 19th century. It was officially incorporated as the Village of Brewster, New York, in 1894.

In 1886, historian William Smith Pelletreau published The History of Putnam County, New York. In his second chapter on the town of Southeast, he wrote: "The land now [1886] embraced within the limits of the village of Brewster consists of a farm which was sold by the commissioners of forfeiture to Peleg Bailey, in 1781. A portion of it afterward passed into the possession of Bailey Howes, his grandson, who sold 98 acres to Gilbert Bailey on April 1, 1833. Two other tracts containing 39 acres were sold to Gilbert Bailey, by William P. Downs and Frederick Parks in 1838. On February 17, 1848, Gilbert Bailey sold the whole tracts, estimated at 134 acres, to James and Walter F. Brewster, for the sum of $8,000."^[4]

"At the time of the purchase, the New York and Harlem Railroad was finished and trains were running as far as Croton Falls. The road was surveyed as far as Pawling, and the prospect of its being continued to that point seemed certain, and to the new purchasers of the farm it seemed just the place for a station."^[4]

"The New York and Harlem Railroad was finished to this place and the depot was built in that year, and what is now [1886] the Main street was opened, for the purpose of allowing the stages from Danbury to come to the station. Previous to this the firm of Crosby and DeForest had run a line of four horse stages to Croton Falls, from Danbury. The first new house in the place was built by Walter F. Brewster, in 1850 and stood in front of the present [1886] Methodist church."^[4] That house, now listed as the Walter Brewster House on the New York State and national historic registers, is owned by the Landmark Preservation Society of Southeast.

"The Harlem Railroad's extension of its mileage in 1849 proved advantageous to Mr. Brewster, who needed all sorts of materials in his building activities. Large shipments were billed simply to 'Brewster's Station' for lack of better designation. This is the apparent origin of the village's name, which many years ago was shortened to Brewster."^[2]

Post offices

Jonathan F. Frost was the first Postmaster of the Brewster's Station post office, which operated from October 25, 1850, through April 28, 1883.^[5]

During this period in American history, post offices were frequently located in the stores or businesses owned by the individuals who served as postmasters. This held true in the village of Brewster for the next century.

In 1863, the Brewster Station post office relocated to the A.F. Lobdell General Store, across from the railroad station, the present location of the Avery Building at 12–18 Main Street. Alexander F. Lobdell, the store's proprietor, was appointed postmaster by President Abraham Lincoln and was reappointed by Presidents Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Arthur, continuing as Brewster's postmaster until 1887.^[6] The Brewster post office began operation on April 28, 1883, removing the word "Station" in its identity and postmarks.^[5]

In 1887, the post office relocated to the Brewster Standard building, the present location of the Sprague Building at 31 Main Street. In 1886, Emerson W. Addis, publisher of the Brewster Standard weekly newspaper, became the postmaster and held that position until 1916.^[6]

In 1916, the post office moved to new quarters on Park Street, between Main Street and Marvin Avenue, into the Rundall Building, and John Thorp became the new postmaster.^[6]

In 1923, Ralph Diehl, proprietor of the Brewster Bakery, became postmaster, and the post office was moved to his baking plant on Progress Street in 1927. Howard Tuttle later became the postmaster, holding the position until 1934 when Seth Howes was appointed. In 1936, the post office relocated to the building now occupied by the Eagle Eye Thrift Shop at 65 Main Street.

Mr. Howes held the office until 1958 when John F. Larkin Jr. was made acting postmaster. He was later promoted to the full title of postmaster.^[6]

On July 17, 1966, the post office relocated to a new brick building on Main Street, where it remained for the next three decades. Mr. Larkin retired in 1972 and was succeeded by Earl Tuttle, who became the last Southeast resident to hold the position of postmaster since that time. Mr. Tuttle retired in 1985.^[6]

The new facility was the first Brewster post office to occupy a space that was specifically designed for the purpose, rather than being retrofitted from some previous use. It had a separate lobby to house post office boxes, a loading dock at the rear of the building and a postal inspector's separate entrance and hallway with one-way glass for observing postal workers and the public.

In the mid-1990s, the Main Street facility closed and a new post office opened at its present location at 3 Mount Ebo Road North outside the village limits in the town of Southeast. Although the new facility is more than 3 miles (5 km) from the center of Brewster, it still retains the designation and postmark "Brewster 10509".

"Brewster" vs. "Southeast"

View of village from train station

Before 1962, there were several local post offices throughout the town of Southeast, located near larger concentrations of residences and businesses. The last of these, Southeast's Putnam Lake post office, closed in 1968.^[5] When a new post office opened at 16 Main Street in Brewster on July 17, 1966,^[6] even before Interstate 84 and Interstate 684 were constructed, it was named Brewster and given the zip code 10509.^[5]

Brewster Crossing

Multi-family heritage home slated for demolition, as seen from the Brewster train platform.

Urban renewal plans for the Village of Brewster have been in the works for well over a decade. In 2011, a blight determination study was conducted to identify primary contributors to the community's decline and determine potential redevelopment strategies. The study revealed that 15% of the properties in the surveyed area were considered blighted.^[7] These findings prompted a transit-focused redevelopment plan, targeting five distinct subareas in need of improvement.^[8] The primary objectives of the plan are to transform underused and/or deteriorating properties into spaces for retail and housing, thereby generating economic activity and supporting the use of the Metro-North Brewster train station.^[9] The project, officially dubbed Brewster Crossing, has garnered support from many local residents.^[10] However, it has also been met with resistance from others, as it requires the acquisition & clearance of properties that are neither underused nor deteriorating. Long-standing food establishment, Bob's Diner, is one of many businesses slated for demolition.^[11] Other notable properties impacted include the Jack & Jill Pool Hall and A.F. Lobdell estate (c. 1860), in addition to other Victorian-era buildings.^[12] The anticipated completion date is set for 2027.^[13]

Geography

Red chondrodite and black magnetite from the old Tilly Foster Mine in Brewster

Brewster is located along the East Branch of the Croton River at 41°23′46″N 73°36′57″W (41.396050, −73.615954),^[14] near the center of the town of Southeast.

U.S. Route 6 runs through the village as its Main Street. U.S. Route 202 and New York State Route 22 run concurrently along the southern boundary of the village, and Interstate 84 passes just east of the village, intersecting Interstate 684. The Brewster train station is on the Harlem Line.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), all land.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	176		—
1900	1,192		—
1910	1,296		8.7%
1920	859		−33.7%
1930	1,664		93.7%
1940	1,863		12.0%
1950	1,810		−2.8%
1960	1,714		−5.3%
1970	1,638		−4.4%
1980	1,650		0.7%
1990	1,566		−5.1%
2000	2,162		38.1%
2010	2,390		10.5%
2020	2,508		4.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]

As of the census^[16] of 2020, there were 2,508 people residing in Brewster. There were 701 housing units at an average density of 1,851.6 per square mile (714.9/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 55.98% Hispanic or Latino, 36.61% non-Hispanic white, 2.59% African American, .42% Native American, 3.22% Asian, .04% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races.

Schools

• Brewster Central School District
  • Brewster High School
  • Henry H. Wells Middle School
  • C. V. Starr Intermediate School
  • John F. Kennedy Elementary School
• Private schools
  • Longview School
  • Saint Lawrence O'Toole

Government

• Governor Kathy Hochul since 2021^[17]
• US Senator Charles Schumer since 1999^[18]
• US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand since 2009^[19]
• US Congressman Mike Lawler since 2023^[20]
• NY State Senator Peter Harckham since 2019^[21]
• NY State Assemblyman Matt Slater since 2023
• Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne since 2022
• Putnam County Legislator Paul E. Jonke (District 6) since 2017^[22]
• Putnam County Legislator Joseph F. Castellano (District 7) since 2013^[23]
• Mayor James Schoenig Since 2007^[24]
• Village Trustees: Christine Piccini, George Gaspar, Tom Boissonnault, Mary Bryde^[25]

Notable people

Athletes

• Ralph Edwards (1882–1949), American professional baseball infielder^[26]
• Mclain Ward (born 1975), equestrian^[27]
• Shayna Levy (born 1997), Israeli soccer player^[28]

Entertainers

• Ann Marie (born 1945), actress
• Billy Jones (1889–1940), singer
• Marian Anderson (1897–1993), contralto singer^[29]
• Glenda Farrell (1904–1971), actress^[30]
• Herbert Gehr (1910–1983), American TV director and photographer^[31]
• Donald Symington (1925–2013), actor^[32]
• Ava Fabian (born 1962), model and actress^[33]
• Joe Rubbo (born 1963), actor and TV producer
• Michael Imperioli (born 1966), actor, screenwriter, TV producer and musician^[34]

Writers and artists

• Fanny Crosby (1820–1915), hymnodist, blind activist and minister^[35]
• Max Dreyfus (1874–1964), music publisher and songwriter^[36]
• Edith Diehl (1876–1953), bookbinder and author^[37]
• Chester Beach (1881–1956), sculptor^[38]
• Rex Stout (1886–1975), writer^[39]
• Trude Fleischmann (1895–1990), photographer
• Pola Stout (1902–1984), designer^[40]
• Dorothy Fields (1905–1974), lyricist and librettist^[41]
• John Bernard Myers (1920–1987), art dealer and writer^[42]
• Norman Laliberté (1925–2021), artist^[43]
• Joanne Dobson (born 1942), novelist

Political Figures

• Charles F. Murphy (1875–1934), politician, lawyer and former NY State Senator
• Willis H. Stephens (1925–2024), politician
• Bob Perciasepe (born 1951), environmental policy leader
• Willis Stephens (born 1955), politician^[44]

Media Personalities

• Evelyn Irons (1900–2000), journalist^[45]
• Diana Vreeland (1903–1989), fashion editor^[46]

Sports Coaches

• Ed Farrell (born 1934), American football coach
• Chris Palmer (born 1949), American football coach^[47]
• Kevin Leighton (born 1979), American baseball coach and former player^[48]

Military Figures

• Enoch Crosby (1750–1835), American spy and soldier ^[49]
• John McCloy (1875–1945), Lieutenant commander and a United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient^[50]

Business Figure

• C.V. Starr(1892-1968), Founder of AIG group^[51]

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
2. Brewster Through the Years 1848–1948, H. Wolff Book Manufacturing Co., New York 1948
3. Beers 1867 Atlas "Atlas of New York and Vicinity from Actual Surveys by and Under the Direction of F. W. Beers, A. D. Ellis and G. G. Soule, New York 1867"
4. The History of Putnam County, New York. 1886. Reprinted by the Landmarks Preservation Committee of the Southeast Museum, Brewster, New York, 1975.
5. New York Postal History: The Post Offices and First Postmaster from 1775 to 1980 by John L. Kay and Chester M. Smith Jr., American Philatelic Society, 1982
6. The Town of Southeast 1788–1988 Edited by Suzanne F. Truran, John J. Dunford, Priscilla A. Truran – Published by the Town of Southeast, 1990
7. "Village of Brewster Blight Determination Study" (PDF). Village of Brewster, NY. November 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
8. Taliaferro, Lanning (January 12, 2017). "Details on Brewster's Urban Renewal Project Revealed". Patch.com. Patch Media. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
9. "Urban Renewal Plan for the Brewster Urban Renewal Area" (PDF). Village of Brewster, NY. April 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
10. Callahan, Cloey (November 16, 2021). "Village of Brewster seeks to attract NYC commuters with downtown redevelopment". Times-Union. Hearst Media. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
11. Welber, Bobby (December 2, 2022). "Beloved New York Diner Known For Helping Hudson Valley May Be Forced To Close". Hudson Valley Post. Townsquare Media. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
12. Becerra Jr., Frank (February 7, 2022). "Brewster's downtown could be in for major changes". LoHud.com. The Journal News. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
13. Alcott, John (November 28, 2023). "Brewster Revitalization Revived". Putnam County Times. Putnam County Press. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
14. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
15. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
17. "Official New York web site". Retrieved 21 December 2013.
18. "Official New York government web site".^{[permanent dead link‍]}
19. "Official New York Congressional Representatives". Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
20. "Congressman Maloney Official Website". Retrieved 21 December 2013.
21. "State Senator Murphy".
22. Auchterlonie, Tom. "Jonke Wins Open Putnam Legislative Seat; Albano, Sullivan Cruise To Wins". Putnam Daily Voice. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
23. "Putnum County Officials". Retrieved 21 December 2013.
24. "Brewster Web Site". Retrieved 21 December 2013.
25. "Elected Officials". Village o Brewster. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
26. "Ralph Edwards Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
27. "This Equestrian Facility Is GORGEOUS – Home To Olympic Champion McLain Ward – The Horseaholic". 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
28. "Brewster's Shayna Levy Named Co-Defender of the Week". Southeast-Brewster, New York Patch. 2018-10-22. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
29. "Brewster Tour To Visit Homes Of Celebrities; Benefit May 31 Lists Residences of Marian Anderson, Rex Stout". The New York Times. 1958-05-22. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
30. "Glenda Farrell". Hometowns to Hollywood. 2018-05-07. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
31. "WIFE SEEKING DATA FOR DIVORCE KILLED; Mrs. Herbert Gehr Is Shot to Death as She Knocks at Door of Brewster Cabin (Published 1950)". 1950-07-11. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
32. "DONALD SYMINGTON Obituary (2013) – New York, NY – New York Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
33. "'ROXY CARMICHAEL' FEATURES EX-PLAYMATE". Greensboro News and Record. 1990-10-20. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
34. "MICHAEL IMPERIOLI IS WELL-SUITED FOR HIS ROLE ON 'THE SOPRANOS'". The Morning Call. 2000-08-27. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
35. "Fanny Crosby Birthplace Historical Marker – Adventures Around Putnam". Retrieved 2023-01-13.
36. "Max Dreyfus, Music Publisher Who Headed Chappell, 90, Dies". The New York Times. 1964-05-16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
37. "Bookbinding: its background and technique. · Grolier Club Exhibitions". grolierclub.omeka.net. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
38. "Beach, Chester, 1881–1956 – Social Networks and Archival Context". snaccooperative.org. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
39. "Rex Stout, Activist, Family Man, Author, & a person with many interests". www.nerowolfe.org. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
40. "About Rex and Pola Stout – Index of Names & Places". Retrieved 2023-01-14.
41. "Fields, Dorothy (1904–1974) | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
42. "John Bernard Myers papers | Collection | search=f=online_visual_material:true&s=4240&n=10&t=C&q=*:*&i=4243 | SOVA". sova.si.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
43. "'Studio show' in Ossining". Patent Trader. Mount Kisco, New York: 39. 1971-09-16. ISSN 0746-1836.
44. "Trash invades N.Y. politics". NewsTimes. 2006-07-10. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
45. Lewis, Paul (2000-04-30). "Evelyn Irons, War Reporter, Is Dead at 99". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
46. "The Cult of Diana". Vanity Fair. 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
47. "Cowboys hire Palmer". Alton Telegraph. 2006-01-31. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
48. "Kevin Leighton Named Head Baseball Coach". Fordham Newsroom. 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
49. Bear, Rob (2013-01-16). "Compound Built by Revolutionary War Spy, Listed for $1.4M". Curbed. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
50. "John McCloy | Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) | U.S. Navy | Medal of Honor Recipient". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
51. "New York Lore: Two More Tales of Brewster Urban Legends". Brewster Bear Facts. Retrieved 2024-11-04.

External links

• Village website
• Brewster Central School District
• Brewster Chamber of Commerce
• Brewster Education Foundation
• Brewster Fire Department
• Brewster Public Library
• Southeast Museum