Skip to Main Content

Local History

Harmse-Odell Tavern - located on present-day Broadway

Built in the 1690s by Jan Harmse, it became an Inn and Tavern in 1742.

Photo courtesy of Roland Odell

The East Irvington School on Taxter Road was built in 1891 to educate children through the eighth grade level.

In 1925, a second floor was added, and the building accommodated all elementary school children until 1954, when overcrowding necessitated the construction of the Dows Lane Elementary School. The East Irvington School was closed in 1970, and for many years remained dormant until sold in 1982. This old school house has been converted into condominiums, but careful attention to preservation resulted in the addition of the building to the National Register of Historic Places. 

Photo courtesy of the Historical Society of the Tarrytowns

This circa 1912 scene shows "the Crossroads" in East Irvington

Located partially in the Village of Irvington and partially in the unincorporated Town of Greenburgh, the area was once known as "Little Dublin" because of the predominantly Irish population that had settled there in the early part of this century. A popular hotel and a general store were located at the intersection of present-day Taxter Road and Mountain Road. The small house in the center of this photo was built prior to 1867 and was known as "the house in the gap." 

Photo courtesy of Eugene Connick

In the early part of the century Madame C.J. Walker, America's first black millionairess, selected Irvington as the site for her new home

Madame Walker founded a door-to-door cosmetic company and developed it into a multi-million-dollar business. She built a large mansion known as "Villa Lewaro" on Broadway just north of Main Street. The structure still stands today. 

Photo courtesy of PEPSICO, Inc. 

In this circa 1910 photograph the children of Immaculate Conception School in Irvington are assembled in front of the Church located on Broadway

The church was originally built as a Presbyterian Church in 1853, but the congregation had outgrown this location by 1869. In 1874, the Catholic Church purchased the building, and the first mass was said on the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 1874. The Immaculate Conception School was established in 1910. Children from the far reaches of the community were transported to and from school in an old farm wagon.

Photo courtesy of Adele Warnock

Circa 1900 Clambake - Irvington

Probably on the former Rutter's Property, now the site of Fieldpoint Development. 

Photo courtesy of Adele Warnock

This circa 1913 photograph shows the principal's office at Irvington's Main Street School

Principal Fred Bierce is at his desk. Ethel Lee (L) and M. Shumaker (R) are seated at the table.

Photo courtesy of Adele Warnock

Morris Homestead - North Ferris Street - Built 1852

Left - Anne Morris ; Right - Mary Morris

Photo courtesy of Adele Warnock