Peekskill

The City of Peekskill is a city in Westchester County, New York. It is located on a bay on the east side of the Hudson River. Population is estimated to be around 24,000.

Peekskill used to be known as an early American Industrial Center, offering iron plow and stoves as its main export. Historically, the Binney & Smith Company, now makers of Crayola products, started the Peekskill Chemical Company in 1864. The booming industrial setting and manufacturing hub lasted well into the 20th century.

Before it was colonized, the Peekskill area was dominated by the Lenape people of the area. Jan Peeck, a resident of New Amsterdam made the first recorded contact with the Lenape people. Peeck made a deal with the Lenape people somtime around 1640, and the transaction was formalized in 1684. The name Peekskill is derived from the combination of Mr. Peeck’s name and the Dutch word for river, “kil”. The combination forms what many recognize today as Peekskill.