Hastings NY Community
The tiny hamlet of Hastings-on-Hudson hasn't changed much from the days of its most famous citizen, Jasper Cropsey, who painted the town's hillside vistas and breathtaking waterfront scenes as part of the Hudson River School of painters in the nineteenth century. With only 8,000 residents and 2.9 square miles in area, Hastings embodies the essence of small-town life in a very modern way, and is attracting a growing number of New York City professionals in search of a simpler lifestyle. The Algonquin Weckquaesgeek tribe were the area's first inhabitants, until Frederick Philipse, a savvy Dutch carpenter, traded them some of his handicrafts for it in 1650. The spectacular stone formations in the city led it to become known for its quarries, and stone from Hastings paved all of Central Park. The town also excelled as a cable-producing capital throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, supplying most of the nation's utility companies, with the Anaconda Cable Company employing many residents until its closure in 1975.
Hastings Attractions
Many things distinguish the city from its larger neighbors on the Hudson, among them its focus on things artistic. There is the Galápagos Book Store on Main Steet with great finds for kids, while there are also the Riverrun Rare Book Room and Manhattan Rare Book Company for adults. For fans of Modernism, there's the Museum of Contemporary Art in the center of town, and Jasper Cropsey's homestead, Ever Rest, is now open for tours and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Each month, the city hosts Friday Night Live, a celebration of art, drama, and local talent that's free for all, and boasts a magician who can thrill even the most skeptical onlooker. Arts are also crucial in the curricula in the local school system, where the National Blue Ribbon of Excellence has been awarded to Hillside Elementary, Farragut Middle School, and Hastings High School.
Hastings Dining
As for dining, there are many fine spots within a small radius of the downtown area. Chef Alex Sze, well-known in Manhattan, now cooks up a storm at Juniper on Warburton Avenue; call ahead to make sure you get in to the 24-seat boite, which features a Continental-inspired, upscale menu. There's also the city's most venerated treasure, Buffet de la Gare, where chef de cuisine Gwenael Goulet is a local institution, bringing his Gallic old-style repertoire to town over thirty years ago and packing happy diners in even since. For those who go organic, there's Comfort, and if you're more interested in getting to know your neighbors over a beer and burger, Maud's is the place for you. If you're a fan of doing it yourself, Hastings boasts one of the best farmer's markets in Westchester, running each Saturday throughout the summer.
Hastings Lifestyle
Free time activities in Hastings are distinctly low-key, and that's how residents like it. You can hike or bike in lush Hillside Woods, swim in Chemka Pool, or skate on Sugar Pond in winter, and if you're looking for a quiet spot to read or have a caffeine-fueled chat with a friend, Thomas Cafe and Antoinette's both offer superb coffee and pastries, lovely atmosphere, and a respite from the hubbub of Starbucks.
Finally, Hastings prides itself on its civic involvement, and pro-government initiatives abound, offering residents opportunities such as “Tell It to Village Hall,” a weekly discussion of city-related issues with elected officials, the Waterfront Clean Up project, and the Sustainability Action Plan, which asks concerned citizens to work on ecologically-minded matters in the community.
Contact Margot Bennett, Hastings Realtor® with the experience and professionalism you can trust.
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Margot Bennett
Lic. RE Broker in NY
Margot Bennett, Inc.
747 Palisade Ave
Yonkers, NY 10703-1817
Business:
(914) 376-7777
Fax:
(914) 376-0109
E-Mail: info@margotbennett.com
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