Croton-on-Hudson is a village within the town of Cortlandt, located in Westchester County, New York. This 5 square mile village, situated at the crossing of the Croton and Hudson Rivers, dates back to the 17th century when Dutch settlers signed a peace treaty with the local Kitchawanc Indians and began to establish a community there. It is believed that the village was named after the Kitchawanc chief, Kenoten, which means “wild wind” in the Algonquin language. The community originally developed as part of the Van Cortlandt Manor, established in 1697 by future mayor of New York City Stephanus Van Cortlandt. Its major industry was agriculture—a majority of Croton’s early settlers worked at the mills that were cropping up along the rivers. By mid-19th century, Croton’s population began to grow as new industries developed, such as shipping, ship-building, flour and brick manufacturing. Also, several major projects were underway; the construction of the railroad, the Croton and New Croton Dams and the New Croton Aqueduct brought many German, Irish and Italian immigrants into the community. In a relatively short amount of time, Croton’s population grew from a couple hundred inhabitants to a diverse 1,500 by the time the village was incorporated in 1898. Throughout the 20th century, Croton-on-Hudson became a popular residence for Greenwich Village artists, writers and musicians. The artistic communities of Mount Airy and Harmon were incorporated into the village in 1932, and continued to contribute to Croton’s diverse and culturally rich population. Croton-on-Hudson was home to poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, actress Gloria Swanson, dance instructor Elizabeth Duncan (sister of Isadora Duncan), as well as other prominent writers, journalists and college professors.

Today, Croton-on-Hudson’s nearly 8,000 residents celebrate their artistic heritage with Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival, which is an annual music and art festival hosted by the Croton Point Park. The festival not only brings attention to Croton’s artistic community, but to the region’s intense natural beauty by providing environmental education and hosting outdoor recreation events. Possibly the feature that attracts many residents to Croton-on-Hudson is its exquisite scenery. Only 34 miles north of the Big Apple, many New Yorkers are drawn to the area because its quiet and serene atmosphere serves as a retreat from the stresses and chaos of city life.

For those wanting to relocate to Croton-on-Hudson, the village’s real estate market offers a variety of housing opportunities, from hassle-free condominiums and town homes to single family homes, waterfront properties and wooded plots. Condominiums and town homes in Croton-on-Hudson are priced from the high-$500,000s and up depending upon the location, and typically offer the basic amenities plus a few extras. For example, Croton’s Half Moon Bay offers affordable waterfront condominiums and town homes that feature spectacular views of the Hudson River, as well as pools, tennis courts, a clubhouse, and gym, all within a gated community.

Single family homes in Croton-on-Hudson come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit anyone’s tastes, from historic Colonials and Victorian-style homes to new traditional homes with modern flair. Houses in Croton-on-Hudson range in price from the high $300,000s to well over $1 million. Homes priced as low as $400,000 are typically spacious, many having 3 or more bedrooms and 2 or more bathrooms. Multi-million dollar homes are usually located on secluded plots and feature the best of luxury living. With so much to offer—unique natural beauty, a caring tight-knit community, and a housing market full of investment opportunities, Croton-on-Hudson is a premier place to buy real estate.

© 2008 Reliance Relocation Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.