Category: Bucket List Destinations – New York

Bucket List Destinations – New York is to group destinations for New York

Peekskill, NY

Peekskill, NY: A Glimpse Into Its Rich Past

Join us on a historical adventure as we rewind to the early days of Peekskill, a place ripe with stories, pivotal moments, and industrious beginnings. Here’s a snapshot of how this vibrant community evolved over the centuries:

Early Encounters and Accords

  • In what might have been the early 1640s, January Peeck from New Amsterdam created the initial bond with the local tribal group, known then as the “Sachoes.”
  • The establishment of rapport and trade led to the formal Ryck’s Patent Deed of 1684, and Peeck’s Kil—the Dutch word for “stream”—became this locale’s calling card.

The Dawning of a Settlement

  • Peekskill’s transformation from untamed beauty to European settlement was a gradual march into the 18th century.
  • When the winds of the American Revolution blew, Peekskill had matured into an esteemed hub, bustling with vital mills humming along its waterways.

A Strategic Revolutionary Haven

  • The Continental Army saw the worth in Peekskill, pegging it as headquarters in 1776 thanks to its handy terrain and mills.
  • Despite the town’s strategic advantage, British forces delivered heavy blows in 1777, ultimately prompting the army to relocate its stronghold to West Point.

Civil Rights Pioneers

  • Fast forward to the Civil War era, and we meet Peekskill’s own Hawley Green—a barber, voter, and property owner alongside his wife Harriet.
  • Their dedication, along with the spirited efforts of the AME Zion Church, Reverend Beecher, and local Quakers, vaulted Peekskill into a beacon of freedom via the celebrated underground railroad.

The Journey to Incorporation

  • Peekskill officially became a Village entity in 1816, re-invigorated in 1826, and later enveloped into the Town of Cortlandt in 1849.
  • The turning point came in 1940, when Peekskill rose in stature, separating from Cortlandt to stand proud as a city.

Join the conversation and share your experiences or stories about Peekskill. Hashtag your Peekskill tales with #HistoricPeekskill and help us keep the legacy alive. If you’re curious to learn more or want to experience the echoes of the past firsthand, why not make a visit? After all, history isn’t just about dates and documents—it’s about feeling the pulse of places that have seen the birth of ideals and the growth of a nation.

Visit Peekskill, NY and step into history! 

New York Portion of US Route 6

The New York Portion of US Route 6 traverses a scenic 79-mile stretch of New York, cutting through Orange and Putnam Counties before ending in Westchester County. Entering from neighboring Pennsylvania with US 209 at Port Jervis, the two routes part ways just north as US 209 takes an northerly route to Kingston while US 6 sweeps across southern NY’s northern suburbs on its way eastward.

US 6 is the road less traveled, but between Goshen and Harriman it takes a more crowded route. It runs concurrent with NY 17 – The Quickway – before splitting at one of New York’s biggest interchanges where US6/NY17 meet I-87 (the Thruway) and NY32. From there, whilst US 6 remains as an express freeway into Harriman State Park to the east, NY17 becomes an open highway heading south.  Zoom down US 6, traveling concurrent with The Quickway (NY 17) from Goshen to Harriman. Here you’ll find one of New York’s largest interchanges where the roads converge at I-87 and NY 32! After that it’s all freeway bliss as you cruise through Harriman State Park – just don’t forget your sunglasses or a jacket if need be. 

Taking a scenic journey along the Hudson, US 6 and US 202 wind through Orange County before entering Westchester. Here they meet up with another old friend in the form of concurrency with US 9! After an adventure full of twists and turns (including access to historic Taconic State Parkway at Shrub Oak), our trips ends just north on Connecticut when we encounter I-84, I-684, and NY 22 smartly perched near Brewster. Let’s take this trip together down memory lane starting from today!

Established as a National 501(c)(3) charitable organization, as a Public Charity the U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association works to promote economic development and cultural preservation for communities located along “The Grand Army of The Republic Highway.” Spanning 3,652 miles in total, this grand old highway is an integral part of Americana with many sites rich in history waiting to be discovered!  Online at https://www.route6tour.com

New York Portion of US Route 6 post