Sandy's Written Creations
Writings by Sandra Harrison including poetry, essays, fiction, non-fiction; children's literatire.
White Plains’ Quarry and Farms
Entry is an updated version of the section found in White Plains, New York: A City of Contrasts under “Quarry and Farms.”
Agriculture was the economic basis for White Plains (WP) from its beginnings till the mid-1800’s. Small farms made up most of WP and its population remained small. When trains train came in 1844, everything changed.
Rock remains from the Davis Quarry at the corner of Oakwood and Prospect Aves can still be found. Stone from this quarry was used to build the third county court house on Court Street. Davis Brook (formerly Golden Pine Brook) flowed from the south near where the quarry was located. Today the brook runs underground and still empties into the Bronx River.
WP was once made up of numerous farms. The last working farm in WP, Baldwin Farm was made into a city park with a portion used for community gardens. In 1823, James Foster bought the land on Hall Ave and created the Pine Tree Farm. When James died his daughter Sarah Foster’s husband Horace Baldwin took over the farm. The last Baldwin to live on the farm died in 1979 with the house being destroyed by a fire in 1982.
Further down the road is what remains of the family’s burial plot. The area just north on Buckout Rd in West Harrison is part of a number of urban legends. The Baldwin Farm entrance and community gardens is on Hall Ave. The Baldwin Cemetery is located further down the road but there is only one grave stone standing.
Gedney Farms, purchased in 1740 by John Gedney, became a developed neighborhood of houses and golf courses. The last home owned by the Gedney Family (circa 1854) is located at corner of Burling Ave and Gedney Esplanade. The structure is now a residence but housed the Westchester Music Conservatory before it moved to Central Ave. A number of city neighborhoods, streets and businesses bare the Gedney name.
The Westchester Hills Golf Club on Ridgeway was founded in 1913. The Ridgeway Golf Course that opened in 1923 was sold to French American School of NY at end of 2010. Their plan to build a school on the land has yet to happen due to strong community opposition and law suits.
The Maple Moor Golf Course opened in 1923 and was the Howard J. Griffin farm in 1879 (pictured below).
White Plains today has no more farms but there are a number of community gardens and a Farmer’s Market.
Sandy's Written Creations 
I am seeking a photo and a map of the farms in east White Plains near West Street and the Hutchinson River Parkway that were there prior to 1776 and until 1836. My 4x great-grandfather was Seargeant Israel Harriot, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, who fought at the Battle of White Plains, Long Island and the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown, VA.
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Harriot family shared a burial plot on West St with Leonard family but all there is to see today is a stone for Abraham Leonard. Picture is in “Buried in White Plains,” on my website. Don’t know of maps. photos or even drawings of farms in White Plains in this area. Most of White Plains’ former farms became homes, hospitals or other structures. West St area is mostly residential. There was a former schoolhouse on West St that first was a church and today is a residence. It was the first Rosedale School. Look in section on have on schools. You can search the Westchester Historic Society, but you would have to go to library to see the things they have.
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I did find a picture of a map from 1868 listing landowners but saw no Harriott. https://www.walmart.com/ip/White-Plains-Scarsdale-New-York-Beers-1868-23-x-28-69-Glossy-Satin-Paper/170683211
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Sandra, I appreciate the advice and direction in your postings.
I grew up in White Plains and worked for 14 years (1970-1984) at 600 Mamaroneck Ave., Harrison, NY.
Perhaps Kentucky Riding Stables near the Hutch overpass may have been part of the Harriot Farm.
Again, I appreciate the advice about the map and directions in your postings.
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Sandra, I appreciate your kind research and postings. As I now live in the Seattle area, I’ve emailed the Westchester Historic Society for any relevant information.
I grew up near Ridgeway and Coralyn Ave in the Rocky Dell Section of White Plains.
Abraham Leonard is my 3rd great-grandfather and Israel’s daughter, Catherine (1790-1850) is my 3rd great-grandmother.
They lived in Yonkers when Abraham served in the War of 1812 in Brooklyn Heights. After the War they lived in Tarrytown.
Thank you for your kindnesses.
Richard Leonard Jackson 11/05/2024
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