Wykagyl, New York
Encyclopedia
Wykagyl is a suburban community in New Rochelle
, New York
. The community is conterminous with zip code 10804.
Wykagyl consists primarily of sprawling, residential neighborhoods and large "period" homes. Architectural styles include Elizabethan and Cotswold Tudor
s, Mediterranean-style villas, and classic colonials. At the center of the community is an 18-hole golf course and country club as well as a small business district of retail stores, condominium developments, and houses of worship.
The area's unusual name is commonly believed to have originated through the combination of two Native American words: "wigwos," meaning "birch bark," and "keag," meaning "country." The name most likely resulted from the shortening of the name of an Algonquian
tribe of Native Americans who originally inhabited the area.
which relocated to its current site in 1905. By 1912, New Rochelle's home development was rapidly extending northward, with North Avenue serving as the central thoroughfare. The New York, Westchester and Boston Railway
had completed a commuter rail line through the area, opening a stop immediately adjacent to the Wykagyl Country Club. Alfred Feltheimer, the architect who designed and named the railroad's stations, decided on the name "Wykagyl" to compliment the golf players from the nearby club. The new rail line spurred commercial activities, and prompted a population boom.
, which operates a public high school, two junior high schools, and ten elementary schools. Located within Wykagyl are:
of 2000, there were 14,192 people, 4,861 households, and 4,031 families residing in the Wykagyl zip-code area. There were 4,987 housing units, 95% of which were owner occupied. The racial makeup of Wykagyl was 88% White, 7% Black or African American
, 0.06% Native American, 4% Asian, and 2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3% of the population.
There were 4,861 households out of which 2,002 had children under the age of 18 living with them. 3,689 were married couples living together, 224 had a female householder with no husband present, and 828 were non-families. 490 households constituted someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average family size was 3.3 people.
In the Wykagyl zip-code area, the population was spread out with 27% under the age of 18, 11% from 18 to 24, 11% from 18 to 34, 44% from 35 to 64, and 17% who were 65 years of age or older. 4,104 residents of Wykagyl were enrolled in school, with 16% (658) in pre-school or kindergarten, 1,857 (40%) in elementary school, 909 (22%) in high school, and 680 (17%) in college or graduate school.
85% of the population completed "college" or higher, with 42% attaining a "graduate degree" or higher.
About 2% of the population was below the poverty line, including 2% of those under age 18 and 1% of those age 65 or over. The total civilian labor force was 7,001 residents, out of which 6,884 (97.8%) were employed. The median income for a household in Wykagyl is $165,154, and the median income for a family is $199,061. 3,001 households (62%) earned $100,000 or more, with 1,970 (41%) earning in excess of $150,000 annually.
Wykagyl 10804 is one of the most expensive zip codes in the country according to Forbes Magazine.
Several sites in Wykagyl commemorate the life of Thomas Paine
, American pamphleteer and Revolutionary War hero, including his home, his burial site, and a museum. Paine's home, the Thomas Paine Cottage
, was built in 1793 after a fire destroyed the previous home. The cottage was moved to its current location, which is on land that was part of the 300 acres (1.2 km²) farm owned by Paine. The house, which is a National Historic Landmark
, is currently operated as a museum. The Thomas Paine Memorial Building, which houses the library and museum collection of the Thomas Paine National Historical Association, was built in 1925.
New Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state.The town was settled by refugee Huguenots in 1688 who were fleeing persecution in France...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The community is conterminous with zip code 10804.
Wykagyl consists primarily of sprawling, residential neighborhoods and large "period" homes. Architectural styles include Elizabethan and Cotswold Tudor
Tudorbethan architecture
The Tudor Revival architecture of the 20th century , first manifested itself in domestic architecture beginning in the United Kingdom in the mid to late 19th century based on a revival of aspects of Tudor style. It later became an influence in some other countries, especially the British colonies...
s, Mediterranean-style villas, and classic colonials. At the center of the community is an 18-hole golf course and country club as well as a small business district of retail stores, condominium developments, and houses of worship.
The area's unusual name is commonly believed to have originated through the combination of two Native American words: "wigwos," meaning "birch bark," and "keag," meaning "country." The name most likely resulted from the shortening of the name of an Algonquian
Algonquian peoples
The Algonquian are one of the most populous and widespread North American native language groups, with tribes originally numbering in the hundreds. Today hundreds of thousands of individuals identify with various Algonquian peoples...
tribe of Native Americans who originally inhabited the area.
History
Around the end of the 19th century the area was primarily farm land with the exception of the adjoining Wykagyl Country ClubWykagyl Country Club
Wykagyl Country Club is a golf course in the Wykagyl section of New Rochelle, New York. The club has often hosted major tournaments as well as meetings of the Professional Golfers Association...
which relocated to its current site in 1905. By 1912, New Rochelle's home development was rapidly extending northward, with North Avenue serving as the central thoroughfare. The New York, Westchester and Boston Railway
New York, Westchester and Boston Railway
The New York, Westchester and Boston Railway Company , known to its riders as "the Westchester" and colloquially as the "Boston-Westchester", operated as an electric commuter railroad in the Bronx and Westchester County, New York from 1912 to 1937...
had completed a commuter rail line through the area, opening a stop immediately adjacent to the Wykagyl Country Club. Alfred Feltheimer, the architect who designed and named the railroad's stations, decided on the name "Wykagyl" to compliment the golf players from the nearby club. The new rail line spurred commercial activities, and prompted a population boom.
Public
The area is served by the City School District of New RochelleCity School District of New Rochelle
The City School District of New Rochelle is a public school district located in New Rochelle, New York. New Rochelle has one of the most extensive educational systems in Westchester County, comprising ten elementary schools, two junior high schools and one senior high school. The district...
, which operates a public high school, two junior high schools, and ten elementary schools. Located within Wykagyl are:
- Albert Leonard Middle School - grades 6 through 8
- Henry Barnard Early Childhood Center
- New Rochelle High SchoolNew Rochelle High SchoolNew Rochelle High School is a public high school, comprising grades 9 through 12, in New Rochelle, New York, operated by the City School District of New Rochelle. NRHS serves over 3,300 students; offering more than 240 courses, including honors, research and advanced placement courses.NRHS...
- William B. Ward Elementary SchoolWilliam B. Ward Elementary SchoolWilliam B. Ward Elementary School is an elementary school, comprising grades Kindergarten through 5. It is part of the City School District of New Rochelle serving New Rochelle, New York. Ward School was recognized as a national Blue Ribbon school of excellence in 1987-1988..-History:The school...
- grades pre-k through 5
Private
Several private primary and secondary schools are located within the Wykagyl area, including:- Iona Grammar School - grades 1 through 8
- Iona Prep - grades 9 through 12
- The Ursuline SchoolThe Ursuline SchoolThe Ursuline School is an all-girls, independent, private, Roman Catholic middle and high school located on a campus in New Rochelle, New York in Westchester County. The school was founded in 1897 by the Order of St...
- grades 6 through 12 - Thornton-Donovan School - grades 1 through 12
- Hudson Montessori School - grades pre-k through 2
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 14,192 people, 4,861 households, and 4,031 families residing in the Wykagyl zip-code area. There were 4,987 housing units, 95% of which were owner occupied. The racial makeup of Wykagyl was 88% White, 7% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.06% Native American, 4% Asian, and 2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3% of the population.
There were 4,861 households out of which 2,002 had children under the age of 18 living with them. 3,689 were married couples living together, 224 had a female householder with no husband present, and 828 were non-families. 490 households constituted someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average family size was 3.3 people.
In the Wykagyl zip-code area, the population was spread out with 27% under the age of 18, 11% from 18 to 24, 11% from 18 to 34, 44% from 35 to 64, and 17% who were 65 years of age or older. 4,104 residents of Wykagyl were enrolled in school, with 16% (658) in pre-school or kindergarten, 1,857 (40%) in elementary school, 909 (22%) in high school, and 680 (17%) in college or graduate school.
85% of the population completed "college" or higher, with 42% attaining a "graduate degree" or higher.
About 2% of the population was below the poverty line, including 2% of those under age 18 and 1% of those age 65 or over. The total civilian labor force was 7,001 residents, out of which 6,884 (97.8%) were employed. The median income for a household in Wykagyl is $165,154, and the median income for a family is $199,061. 3,001 households (62%) earned $100,000 or more, with 1,970 (41%) earning in excess of $150,000 annually.
Wykagyl 10804 is one of the most expensive zip codes in the country according to Forbes Magazine.
Points of interest
Thomas Paine
Thomas "Tom" Paine was an English author, pamphleteer, radical, inventor, intellectual, revolutionary, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States...
, American pamphleteer and Revolutionary War hero, including his home, his burial site, and a museum. Paine's home, the Thomas Paine Cottage
Thomas Paine Cottage
The Thomas Paine Cottage in New Rochelle, New York in the United States, was the home from 1802 to 1806 of Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense and Revolutionary War hero. Paine was buried near the cottage from his death in 1809 until his body was disinterred in 1819...
, was built in 1793 after a fire destroyed the previous home. The cottage was moved to its current location, which is on land that was part of the 300 acres (1.2 km²) farm owned by Paine. The house, which is a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
, is currently operated as a museum. The Thomas Paine Memorial Building, which houses the library and museum collection of the Thomas Paine National Historical Association, was built in 1925.
- The Brewster Schoolhouse, one of the oldest structural relics in Westchester County, dates back to the 18th century, and is a mere 15 feet (4.6 m) by 20 feet (6.1 m) in dimensions.
- Artist Norman RockwellNorman RockwellNorman Percevel Rockwell was a 20th-century American painter and illustrator. His works enjoy a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture. Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for The Saturday Evening...
's studio, in which he lived for years and created much of his iconic Saturday Evening Post work, is in Wykagyl.
Parks and recreation
- Wykagyl Country ClubWykagyl Country ClubWykagyl Country Club is a golf course in the Wykagyl section of New Rochelle, New York. The club has often hosted major tournaments as well as meetings of the Professional Golfers Association...
is a private facility that has hosted Ladies Professional Golf Association tournaments.
- Ward Acres is a combination of untouched forest, wild lawns and meadows, acres of hiking and exercise trails, and historic horse stables and cemeteries. It encompasses 62 acres (250,905.3 m²), with the forests divided into four main sections (North Woods, Northwest Woods, Central Woods, and Southeast Woods), each distinct in both general characteristics and species presence.
- The Leatherstocking Trail is a 2 miles (3.2 km) long, inter-municipal hiking trail situated between New Rochelle and Mamaroneck, eventually linking into Saxon Woods County Park. It is part of a larger Colonial Greenway Trail in which it connects to Twin Lakes/Nature Study and Saxon Woods parks.
- Sheldrake Lake, which formerly served as a reservoir supplying the area's drinking water, is now a 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) park and nature conservancy promoting an increased understanding of the local ecology.
- Twin Lakes Park and the adjacent Nature Study Woods together comprise 220 acre (0.8903092 km²) of woods, marsh, lakes, ponds, and some fields along the Hutchinson River. There are many foot trails weaving through woods, marshlands, and fields and around two large lakes.
Wykagyl in film
- Scenes in GoodfellasGoodfellasGoodfellas is a 1990 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is a film adaptation of the 1986 non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scorsese...
were filmed on Alfred Lane, off Quaker Ridge Road and down the street from Albert Leonard Middle School. The house of the parents of Henry Hill's eventual wife, Karen, is on Alfred Lane. Henry goes across the street and pistol whips the neighbor after the neighbor sexually attacks Karen. The scene where Karen is on a pay phone calling Henry and crying about her next-door neighbor bothering her was filmed in the parking lot next to Wykagyl Country Club.