Southeast, New York 2025

Southeast, New York, is a hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP) in Putnam County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,640, up from 3,464 at the 2010 census.

PUTNAM COUNTY

Putnam County is in southeastern New York, between the Hudson River on the west and the Housatonic River on the east. Putnam is southeast of New York City and can be reached by the Taconic State Parkway or Interstate 84, both of which run north-south through the county. The terrain is generally hilly. In 2000, the population was 36,153. The county seat is Carmel.

History:

The area was long inhabited by the Wappinger people, a sub-tribe of the Lenape Nation, who were part of the Woodland Culture. The first European explorers were Dutch, who began to settle the area in 1655. The first settler was Adriaen Jorissen Pelsen Boncouer, who established a trading post at the mouth of the Saw Mill River.

Dutch settler Adriaen Jorissen Pelsen Boncouer built a trading post near the site of the modern-day village of Cold Spring, and he and his partner, Thomas Chambers – who had a large grant of land on the east bank of the Hudson River – sired the first child born in the area, Adriaen Thomas Chamberse. Boncouer had several children, including Fanya, whose name means "wild geese" in Wappinger. Fanya married Richard Ward, a Quaker from Rye, New York. Their children were born in Rye. He bought out Chambers and settled the boundary dispute between New York and Connecticut.

In 1683, Frederick Philipse and his wife, Margaret Hardenbroeck, also from Rye, bought the Boncouer's 1,600 acres (6.5 km²). Philipse became the first lord of Philipse Manor, which covered the entire Putnam County.

In 1697, the Philipse's constructed the Old Yellow Mill, located on the Yellow Lot, what is now the corner of Lake Avenue and Saw Mill River Road (CR 104) in Southeast.

The Old Yellow Mill, was the first mill built in Putnam County. The first steam engine and boiler were installed, it was the first cotton mill in the state and the fourth cotton mill in the nation. It was also the first mill to produce pearl buttons. It continued operation until 1941. Samuel Untermeyer purchased the Philipse Manor. In 1846, Uncle Sam was familiarized with Samuel Wilks (jurist) is a well-known resident of Brewster. Wilks Avenue, a main street in Brewster, New York is named in his honor.

In 1765, the first saw mill was built by John Brinckerhoff and Abraham Davenport. It was the first saw mill built west of the Hudson River. It was built at the corner of 302 and Dilley Road.

In 1776, during the American Revolution, a 300-pound bronze cannon was forged at the Old Yellow Mill, then the Putnam Iron Works and taken to West Point. it was stationed at Constitution Island to protect the Hudson River from British ships. It became known as Old Glory, the first flag to be saluted by the British on August 18, 1776. It was likely the first flag of the United States. It is today, on display at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

In 1802, the first Christian church was established in Carmel. In 1804, the Baptist Church of Southeast was formed in a log cabin in the area now known as Oscawana. In 1829, additional meetings were held in homes and school houses at Lake Gleneida, now part of the Brewster Central School District. In 1843, the present Baptist Church on the corner of Route 312 and Peach Lake Road was built.

In 1826, the Putnam County Courier began publication.

In 1846, the New York and Harlem Railroad extended their line through Putnam from New York City to Albany, reaching Putnam County. It crossed the Hudson River at Cold Spring and followed the west bank of the Hudson River. The line has been abandoned since 1974.

The Old Route 6, which leads from New York City to the middle of the county through the Taconic Parkway, connects with US Route 22 at Brewster and continues north along the Kensico Reservoir.

In 1854, the Taconic State Parkway was completed, and in 1881 the Croton Furnace, a blast furnace in the town of Southeast, was closed.

On September 6, 1889, the Putnam County Courthouse burned down and many county records were lost.

The Old County Jail was built in 1873 and used until 1977.

In 1881, the lower dam in the Croton Gorge was completed, and the reservoir became the primary source of water for New York City. The project cost $19 million and was completed in 1893.

On July 17, 1927, the Brewster train station was opened.

On September 12, 1940, the Taconic State Parkway was opened.

On August 17, 1949, the Brewster Drive-In movie theater opened.

In 1970, the Interstate 84 reached Putnam County, replacing several major highways, including Route 6, and in 1974 it replaced train service.

In 1980, an historic snowstorm hit, leaving 18 inches of snow and killing 100 people.

In 1987, the Belle Aire Community development was built.

In 1993, the Brewster Community Garden apartments were built.

On May 18, 1995, John F. Kennedy Catholic High School held its 1st graduation ceremony.

On April 1, 19984, the Sheriff's Department replaced the last of the 10 elected constables in New York State.

In 1999, the Putnam County Office Building was renovated.

On June 6, 2000, the William Kessler Pavilion was opened.

On September 11, 2001, Putnam County resident Welles Remy Crowther, known as "The Man in the Red Bandana," died heroically saving up to 10 people in the south tower of the World Trade Center in the September 11 attacks. He was 24 years old.

On October 2, 2000, the Putnam County Veterans' Memorial was dedicated.

In 2004, the 16th congressional district gained the 20 zip codes in Putnam and Northern Westchester counties, including all of Putnam.

In 2007, the Putnam 20-20 Plan was adopted.

In 2010, the population was 34,644 and in 2018, it was estimated at 36,247. The racial-makeup of the county was 86.1% White, 3.9% Asian, 0.5% Black or African American and 0.14% Native American or Alaskan Native. 8.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Geography:

Putnam County is in the southeastern part of New York State, located between the Hudson and Housatonic Rivers. It borders Dutchess and Westchester counties to the north, Connecticut to the east, and New York City's northern suburbs to the west. Interstate Park and the Hudson and Harlem Railroad once ran along the west side of the Hudson. It borders Litchfield County, Connecticut, to the east and south.

It has a total area of 337 square miles (870 km²), of which 331 square miles (857 km²) is land and 6.2 square miles (16 km²), or 1.85%, is water. The terrain is generally hilly.