Category: White Plains, NY History

White Plains Historians, Archivist & Enthusiasts

White Plains (WP) Historians: John Rösch (1854-1949), born in 1854 NYC, was historian for WP and came to White Plains (WP) in 1874, He was a photographer, artist, cartoonist, author and illustrator who had a shop on the former Railroad Ave (now Main Street).… Continue Reading “White Plains Historians, Archivist & Enthusiasts”

Ice Cream, White Plains Style

Ice Cream Social a new ice cream shop is trending on Face Book (FB) and with Westchester Magazine. Store is located a former gas station that was featured in an old ad for the Chinese Restaurant that used to be across the street. It… Continue Reading “Ice Cream, White Plains Style”

Transportation in White Plains

How did people get around White Plains before & during colonial days? How did new modes of transport transform WP from a “sleepy” small village into a modern city? Horses: Remember, that modern day horses did not come to America till Europeans brought them… Continue Reading “Transportation in White Plains”

The Arts in White Plains: Past & Present

Film Production and Cinemas: In more recent years, film making has become common place in White Plains (WP) but going to a cinema to watch a movie on a big screen has been a favorite pastime in WP for over 100 years. On Oct… Continue Reading “The Arts in White Plains: Past & Present”

White Plains Revitalization; Its Vanishing Past

In February 2019, one of White Plains’ older homes was demolished. Former Rocco Briante house was built around 1914. Rocco Briante was a builder of homes and other structures. House at 40 Chatterton Parkway had become a “zombie” property. Neglect obviously caused severe deterioration… Continue Reading “White Plains Revitalization; Its Vanishing Past”

Book, White Plains, New York: A City of Contrasts

The book White Plains, New York: A City of Contrasts by Sandra Harrison was published in 2013. This website contains updated versions of the book broken into separate entries. In addition, other things about White Plains are included on the website but not in the book. A full preview of the… Continue Reading “Book, White Plains, New York: A City of Contrasts”

Parks of White Plains: History Behind the Name

White Plains (WP) Historic Society’s newsletter posted article below on the history behind the names of City’s parks: It should be noted that the City has other parks (see information posted below from City’s Park’s & Recreation Dept.), plazas and playgrounds (not in a… Continue Reading “Parks of White Plains: History Behind the Name”

White Plains’ 1st Village Street

The following entry is an updated version from  “The Purchase of White Plains” chapter in White Plains, NY: A City of Contrasts: White Plains (WP) in Colonial days was largely made up of farms. Mills sprang up along  streams & its rivers bringing the… Continue Reading “White Plains’ 1st Village Street”

White Plains Hospitals

This entry is an updated version of “Hospitals” from White Plains, New York: A City of Contrasts.”  The Former St Agnes Hospital  St. Agnes Hospital, closed in 2003, had its beginnings in 1908. The medical building on the property underwent renovations and the former… Continue Reading “White Plains Hospitals”

White Plains Schools History

Former St John’s Evangelist Parish School on Main St.