About the town of Bedford, New YorkThe town of Bedford is located 48 miles north of New York City in Westchester County, New York. Bedford’s history is deeply rooted in Colonial times; the town was founded in 1680 when New England Puritans from Stamford, Connecticut purchased the three square miles known as the “Hopp Ground” from Chief Katonah of the Confederation of Ramapo Indians. Bedford remained part of Connecticut until 1700, when it became a territory of New York under the decree of King William. It served as the seat of Westchester County during the Revolutionary War. Sadly, the British burned Bedford to the ground in July 1779, but the town was quickly rebuilt—a testament to Bedford’s resolve. Many homes and buildings serve today as landmarks of the town’s history, such as the Village Green, cemetery, the Court House in Bedford Village, and even the Bedford Oak, which predates the town and is thought of by the community as a symbol of Bedford’s strength, beauty, and heritage. Today the town of Bedford has a thriving population of over 18,000, and the community is divided into three hamlets: Bedford Village, Katonah, and Bedford Hills. Bedford Village, located in the southeastern part of town, is the site of the original settlement and contains a majority of the town’s oldest buildings. The hamlet of Katonah, in the northwestern part of Bedford, is known for its beautiful Victorian architecture. It is also known as the home of Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Katonah Museum of Art, and the John Jay Homestead (John Jay was the first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court). Bedford Hills, once a stop along the Putnam railroad built in 1847, contains a bustling business center as well as farms and large estates as it extends farther eastward. It is the seat of Bedford government, and the location of the Town House, built in 1927. Bedford Village, Katonah, and Bedford Hills each have their own unique atmosphere that contributes to the high quality of life that Bedford is known for. Together they offer museums, art venues, libraries, and cultural centers, as well as locally owned shops and boutiques. There is a variety of outdoor activities available to Bedford residents, such as horseback riding through the Bedford Riding Lanes Association and golfing at Bedford’s variety of country clubs, private and public courses. Each hamlet in Bedford has its own active park that provides outdoor recreational activities all year round—including day camps in the summer. Bedford also has two passive parks—Indian Hill Park and Beaver Dam Sanctuary Park—which provide walking and hiking trails, and beautiful natural scenery.
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