Rye, New York

History

Rye was once a part of Fairfield County, Connecticut, belonging to the Sachem Ponus, of the Ponus Wekuwuhm, Canaan Parish, and was probably named for that chieftain, "Peningoe Neck".

It was founded in 1660 by three men: Thomas Studwell, Peter Disbrow and John Coe. Later landowners included John Budd and family.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries it was a haven for wealthy Manhattanites who traveled by coach or boat to escape the city heat. Its location on Long Island Sound and numerous beaches also appealed to visitors with more moderate means who gravitated for short stays at cottagesand waterfront hotels.

It has an extraordinary inventory of buildings with architectural distinction that help visually articulate specific neighborhoods and districts.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.0 sqmi, of which 5.9 sqmi is land and 14.2 sqmi is water.

Rye is "situated in the eastern part of central Westchester County on Long Island Sound. The western border of the City generally parallels Beaver Swamp Brook, while the eastern border is formed by Milton Harbor and the Sound. Blind Brook traverses the City from the northwest corner of Rye to Milton Harbor at the southern end."

Rock and wetlands

The geology and hydrology of Rye is characterized by a significant quantity of rock, marshes and wetlands which makes the city both desirably scenic but also challenging for developers.

Rye's bedrock is predominantly constituted of Fordham gneiss and Harrison diorite also known as Byram Black granite.

According to Rye's 1985 Master Plan, "Rye contains a variety of environmentally significant areas. Numerous tidal and freshwater wetlands are found near the waterfront and brooks. The Milton Harbor area (including the Marshlands Conservancy and Rye Golf Club), Disbrow Park and the Manursing area contain the most extensive wetlands in the City. In addition, substantial areas near the Sound, Milton Harbor, Blind Brook and Beaver Swamp Brook are within the 100 year flood hazard area, and thus subject to potential flooding." According to the City of Rye, "Considerable acreage of these important natural resources has been lost or impaired by draining, dredging, filling, excavating, building, polluting and other acts inconsistent with the natural uses of such areas. Remaining wetlands are in jeopardy of being lost, despoiled or impaired by such acts contrary to the public safety and welfare." As a result, the city has charged itself with the responsibility of "preventing the despoilation and destruction of wetlands and watercourses while taking into account varying ecological, economic, recreational and aesthetic values. Activities that may damage wetlands or watercourses should be located on upland sites in such a manner as not to degrade these systems."

In 2017, Rye resident and then New York State Senator George Latimer noted that wetlands maps for the area have not been updated in over 20 years

Flooding

Flooding has long been an issue in Rye as in other coastal towns with water coming in from Long Island Sound. The Blind Brook watershed is also a source of that flooding with significant deluges recorded in the neighborhood of Indian Village after four days of rain in October 1975.

Three major weather events in just five years produced catastrophic damage in the town.

• Following major flooding in March 2007, the April 2007 nor'easter six weeks later left some homes in Rye with over five feet of floodwater.
• In 2011, the after effects of Hurricane Irene in August and Hurricane Maria in September included swelling of Blind Brook and submersion of private and commercial properties including the Rye Nature Center, Indian Village, the Rye High football field, businesses on Purchase Street and homes on Milton and Highland Roads.
• Storm surges from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 resulted in evacuations of many coastal residences and facilities including the Milton firehouse.

The city's response to these recurring hazards was to apply for funding through the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program. Rye received $3,000,000 to safeguard the city against future flooding threats, upgrade its infrastructure for resiliency, identify stormwater mitigation solutions, and protect historic buildings and natural wetlands.

Starting on September 1, 2021, Rye experienced another substantial flooding event. The storm lasted two days and caused significant damage to municipal facilities, businesses and residences. Areas around Indian Village and other sections of the city that had previously flooded during Hurricane Irene were under 8–9 feet of water. Other areas around the town normally not affected by flooding were also affected. Prior to the flooding event, Rye had undergone approximately five inches of rainfall from Hurricane Henri. Two weeks later, the remnants of Hurricane Ida dropped another 8–9 inches of rain in the area within a 12-hour period. Hurricane Ida remnants caused flooding in Rye nearly 10 years to the day from Hurricane Irene.

Indigenous artifacts

As of 2010, 75 percent of the acreage in Rye had been determined to be archaeologically sensitive with many Indigenous contact sites. At least two villages have been determined to have existed. Unearthed artifacts include implements, bones, pottery, skeletons, and a burial ground at the site of the present Playland Casino.

Neighborhoods

Many of Rye's unique neighborhoods are defined in the 1985 Master Plan. Many have historic significance and their preservation was signaled as important for enhancing Rye's character. They include:

Proposed National Register District

• Soundview Park
• Church Row

Local or National Register Significance

• Dogwood/Upper Dogwood Lane
• Grace Church Street Area
• Milton Harbor
• Kirby Mill
• Post Road Old Cottage District
• Central Business District
• Dublin (West Rye)
• Greenhaven
• Indian Village
• Loudon Woods
• Rye Town Park
• Hix Park

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 16,592 people living in the city. This is representative of approximately 5491 households.

74.8% had a college degree.

15.5% were over the age of 65.

51.7% were women.

88.2% identified themselves as White alone. 6.7% identified as Hispanic or Latino. 5.6% identified as Asian alone. 1.3% identified as Black or African American alone.

Economy

The headquarters of Jarden and GAMCO Investors are located in Rye.

Arts and culture

Historic sites

National Historic Landmarks

Boston Post Road Historic District, a National Historic Landmark District and former home of John Jay, includes five historically significant parcels:

• Marshlands Conservancy, part of original Jay Estate.
• Jay Estate, a 23 acre park with gardens operated by the Jay Heritage Center.
• The Jay Cemetery (established 1805)
• Lounsbury (1836–1838)
• Whitby Castle and Rye Golf Club (1852–54)

Playland, opened in 1928, is a 279 acre theme park which features rides, games, an indoor skating rink, beach, boardwalk, and concession stands. It is one of only two amusement parks in the United States designated a National Historic Landmark. Its wooden roller coaster, Dragon Coaster, built in 1929, is one of the last roller coasters built by Frederick Church still operating. The Derby Racer, also built by Church, is one of only two rides of its kind in the US and one of three remaining in the world.

Sites on the National Register of Historic Places

Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in southern Westchester County, New York

Other historic sites

• Two 200 plus year old milestones labelled 24 and 25 on the Boston Post Road, the oldest thoroughfare in the United States. These sandstone markers likely date from when the Westchester Turnpike was configured
• A 1938 WPA mural by realist Guy Pene du Bois located in the city's post office lobby and titled John Jay at His Home.
• Two of the 16 sites on the African American Heritage Trail of Westchester County: The Rye African-American Cemetery and the Jay Estate.
• Wainwright House (1928), a 5 acre estate with gardens and central building commissioned by US Congressman J. Mayhew Wainwright. In 1951, the property was re-purposed as a religious center.
• Greenwood Union Cemetery – founded in 1837
• Rye African-American Cemetery – established in 1860
• Christ's Church (Episcopal) – established in 1695 as Grace Church; current building erected in 1866
• Church of the Resurrection

Parks and recreation

Parks and nature reserves

Rye has over 454 acre of green open space, as well as coastline.

• Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary (179 acres) established in 1985.
• Rye Nursery Park – acquired "for wetland restoration and park uses".
• Rye Town Park – opened in 1909.

Private and public clubs

Rye has numerous private country clubs, many of which were formed in the late 19th and early 20th century. The combined acreage of these clubs affords members and guests over 993 acres of recreation.

• American Yacht Club (New York) (founded in 1883) – sailing, tennis, paddle
• The Apawamis Club (1890) – golf, squash, tennis, paddle, swimming
• Rye Golf Club (1921) and Ryewood) – golf, swimming
• Westchester Country Club (1922) – golf, tennis, squash, paddle, swimming, beach

Recreation facilities

• Disbrow Park (51 acres) – tennis, baseball; dedicated as a park in 1930
• Rye Golf Club (126 acres) – golf, swimming; course designed by Devereux Emmet in 1921

Government

The mayor is Josh Nathan. City council is composed of the mayor and six council members. The city manager is Brian Shea.

Education

Public schools

Most of the city is in the Rye City School District. Rye is served by three public elementary schools: Osborn, Milton, and Midland.

Rye Middle School and Rye High School are part of the same campus, and the two buildings connect.

The Greenhaven and The Preserve at Rye neighborhoods of the City of Rye are served by the Rye Neck School District. Rye Neck High School and Middle School are on one campus also located partially in the City of Rye.

Private schools

• Rye Country Day School, Pre-K through 12th grade, a college preparatory school

Media

• MyRye.com
• The Rye Record – community paper founded in 1997.

Filming location

• Episodes of Dickinson were filmed at the Jay Heritage Center in 2021.
• Playland appeared in the films Fatal Attraction and Big.

Infrastructure

Transportation

The Rye train station provides commuter rail service to Grand Central Terminal in New York City or Stamford and New Haven-Union Station via the Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line. The Bee-Line Bus System provides bus service to Rye.

Police department

Rye Police Department has 36 sworn police officers. The Rye Auxiliary Police is an all-volunteer force that provides assistance when needed. The Westchester County Police also patrol areas of Rye. New York State Police patrols Interstate 95 and 287, and MTA Police patrol the Rye Train station and property within the Metro North right-of-way.

Fire department

Rye Fire Department has 100 volunteer firefighters and 21 paid firefighters. The department has two fire stations.

Emergency medical services

Emergency medical service is provided by Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook EMS at the Advanced Life Support Level (ALS). The agency has 30 paid EMTs, 15 paramedics and five volunteers. They operate up to five ALS ambulances and three paramedic flycars from their station in Port Chester and responds to over 5,000 calls a year between Port Chester, Rye and Rye Brook.

Notable people

• Roz Abrams, former WABC-TV and WCBS-TV news anchors
• Christopher Atkins, actor
• Raymond E. Baldwin, US Senator
• Lex Barker, actor
• Jason Bateman, actor
• Justine Bateman, actress
• James Roosevelt Bayley, Catholic bishop
• John Bello, founder SoBe Beverages; former president NFL Properties
• Greg Berlanti, TV writer
• Junius Bird, archaeologist
• Roland T. Bird, paleontologist
• Alex Blum, cartoonist
• Roy J. Bostock, Former Chairman of Yahoo!
• James Bradley, author
• Ralph Branca, Major League Baseball pitcher
• Daniel Burke, Former President of The American Broadcasting Company
• Barbara Bush, First Lady, attended Milton Elementary School
• Caleb H. Carlton, US Army brigadier general, retired in Rye
• Doja Cat, rapper and singer partly raised in Rye by her grandmother
• Nelson Chai, Former CFO of Merrill Lynch and Bank of America
• Eamonn Coghlan, Olympic track and field athlete
• Bud Cort, actor
• Buster Crabbe, actor and Olympic swimmer
• John Daly, radio and television newsman, emcee What's My Line?
• Mike D'Antoni, head coach of the NBA's Houston Rockets
• William Davis, golfer
• Jennifer Donnelly, author
• Eddie Eagan, sportsman
• Amelia Earhart, aviator; first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean (born in Atchison, Kansas)
• Betty Francis, fictional character
• Mario Gabelli, stock investor, investment advisor, and financial analyst
• David Gottesman, businessman and billionaire
• Michael Grabner, professional hockey player
• Molly Guion, artist
• Sean Haggerty (born 1976), ice hockey player
• Mark Halstead, footballer
• Irving Harper, industrial designer
• Justin Henry, actor
• Thomas B. Hess, art writer and curator
• Alan J. Hoffman, famous mathematician
• Harold Holzer, Lincoln scholar
• Iakovos, Archbishop of America, (1911–2005)
• Marc Jacobs, fashion designer
• Ajit Jain, head of several reinsurance businesses for Berkshire Hathaway
• Elizabeth Janeway, author
• John Jay, Founding Father, negotiator of the Treaty of Paris, first Chief Justice of the United States, two-time Governor of New York State, anti-slavery advocate, and diplomat
• Peter Augustus Jay (lawyer), President of the NY Manumission Society
• John Clarkson Jay, physician and notable conchologist
• Mary Rutherfurd Jay, landscape architect
• Pierre Jay, first chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
• Arthur Judson, artists' and orchestra manager
• Megyn Kelly, Today Show contributor
• Christopher Kimball, chef, publisher of Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country, co-founder of "America's Test Kitchen", and founder of Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Kitchen.
• Ralph Kiner, professional baseball player and broadcaster
• Robert A. Kindler, Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions and Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley
• George Kirby, professional baseball player
• Nick Kroll, actor, comedian
• George Latimer (New York politician), politician, U.S. representative, former Westchester County Executive
• David Lee, physicist
• Brendan McCole, Gaelic footballer
• John Mack, Morgan Stanley CEO
• Wellington Mara, owner of NFL New York Giants
• William Moulton Marston, creator of Wonder Woman
• Eugene R. McGrath, former chairman and CEO of Consolidated Edison
• Allegra Mertz, championship sailor
• Charles E. F. Millard, President of PBGC
• Diana Millay, actress
• Jay Pierrepont Moffat, US Ambassador
• John Motley Morehead III, mayor of Rye, chemist, philanthropist
• Benjamin Morrell, explorer
• Mark Mulvoy, sports journalist and Sports Illustrated managing editor
• Ogden Nash, poet
• Eric Nisenson, author
• Caroline Love Goodwin O'Day, US Congresswoman
• Nicholas Patrick, astronaut, Mission Specialist 1 on 2006 Discovery STS-116 mission
• George P. Putnam, author
• Steven C. Rattner, owner of Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas
• Edith Gwynne Read, conservationist
• Joy Reidenberg, television star of nature documentaries on PBS, NatGeo Wild, Discovery
• Blanche Ring, Broadway actress and singer
• Zelia Peet Ruebhausen, policy advisor, UN observer
• James Sands, professional soccer player for NYCFC and USMNT
• Will Sands, professional soccer player for Columbus Crew
• Tatiana Saunders, soccer player in Iceland, France and England
• Liz Sheridan, actress
• Debora Shuger, author
• Adam Silver, commissioner of NBA
• Bill Stern, actor and sportscaster
• Stuart Sternberg (born 1959), owner of the Tampa Bay Rays
• B. J. Surhoff, Major League Baseball player
• John Thain, former Merrill Lynch CEO
• Fred Troller, Swiss-American Graphic Designer
• Edgar Wachenheim III, investor and author
• Diana Williams, WABC-TV news anchor
• Kimberly Williams, actress
• Bob Woodruff, ABC television journalist
• Sean Young, actress

In popular culture

• Don McLean, raised in nearby New Rochelle, mentions Rye in the song American Pie: "good old boys were drinkin' whiskey in Rye".

References

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