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Rye, New York

Coordinates: 40°58′52″N 73°41′02″W / 40.98111°N 73.68389°W / 40.98111; -73.68389
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the adjacent town of the same name, see Rye (town), New York. For the village within the town of Rye, see Rye Brook, New York. For the area within both the town of Rye and the village of Mamaroneck, see Rye Neck.

Rye, New York
City
Jay Estate is the childhood home of American Founding Father John Jay.
Jay Estate is the childhood home of American Founding Father John Jay.
Official seal of Rye, New York
Seal
Location in Westchester County and the state of New York
Location in Westchester County and the state of New York
Map
Interactive map of Rye
Coordinates: 40°58′52″N 73°41′02″W / 40.98111°N 73.68389°W / 40.98111; -73.68389
Country United States
State New York
CountyWestchester
Incorporated (as a village)1904[1]
Reincorporated (as a city)1942[1]
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorJosh Nathan[2]
 • City managerBrian Shea
 • City council
Members' List[2]
Area
[3]
 • Total
20.02 sq mi (51.86 km2)
 • Land5.85 sq mi (15.16 km2)
 • Water14.17 sq mi (36.70 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
16,592
 • Density2,835/sq mi (1,094.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (EDT)
ZIP Code
10580
Area code914
FIPS code36-64309
Websitehttp://www.ryeny.gov/

Rye is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, within the New York City metropolitan area.[4] It received its charter as a city in 1942, making it the most recent such charter in the state. Its area of 5.85 square miles has a population density of 2,729.76/sq mi.[5]

Rye is notable for its waterfront,[6][7][8][9] and two National Historic Landmarks (NHLs). The first NHL is the Boston Post Road Historic District, designated in 1993. It is also the only National Historic Landmark District (NHLD) in Westchester County, and includes the Jay Estate, the childhood home and final resting place of John Jay, a Founding Father and the first Chief Justice of the United States, Marshlands Conservancy, Rye Golf Club, Lounsbury and the Jay Cemetery. The second NHL in Rye is Playland, a historic amusement park designated in 1987, which features one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the Northeast, the Dragon Coaster.

History

[edit]
Rye Beach, early 20th century

Rye was once a part of Fairfield County, Connecticut, belonging to the Sachem Ponus, of the Ponus Wekuwuhm, Canaan Parish, and was probably named for that chieftain, "Peningoe Neck".[10]

It was founded in 1660 by three men: Thomas Studwell, Peter Disbrow and John Coe. Later landowners included John Budd and family.[11][12]

During the 19th and early 20th centuries it was a haven for wealthy Manhattanites who traveled by coach or boat to escape the city heat. Its location on Long Island Sound and numerous beaches also appealed to visitors with more moderate means who gravitated for short stays at cottages[13]and waterfront hotels[14].

It has an extraordinary inventory of buildings with architectural distinction that help visually articulate specific neighborhoods and districts.[12]

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.0 square miles (52 km2), of which 5.9 sq mi (15 km2) is land and 14.2 sq mi (37 km2) is water.[4]

Rye is "situated in the eastern part of central Westchester County on Long Island Sound. The western border of the City generally parallels Beaver Swamp Brook, while the eastern border is formed by Milton Harbor and the Sound. Blind Brook traverses the City from the northwest corner of Rye to Milton Harbor at the southern end."[12]

Rock and wetlands

[edit]
Rye High football field flooded in 2011

The geology and hydrology of Rye is characterized by a significant quantity of rock, marshes and wetlands [6] which makes the city both desirably scenic but also challenging for developers.

Rye's bedrock is predominantly constituted of Fordham gneiss and Harrison diorite also known as Byram Black granite.[15]

According to Rye's 1985 Master Plan, "Rye contains a variety of environmentally significant areas. Numerous tidal and freshwater wetlands are found near the waterfront and brooks. The Milton Harbor area (including the Marshlands Conservancy and Rye Golf Club), Disbrow Park and the Manursing area contain the most extensive wetlands in the City. In addition, substantial areas near the Sound, Milton Harbor, Blind Brook and Beaver Swamp Brook are within the 100 year flood hazard area, and thus subject to potential flooding."[6] According to the City of Rye, "Considerable acreage of these important natural resources has been lost or impaired by draining, dredging, filling, excavating, building, polluting and other acts inconsistent with the natural uses of such areas. Remaining wetlands are in jeopardy of being lost, despoiled or impaired by such acts contrary to the public safety and welfare." As a result, the city has charged itself with the responsibility of "preventing the despoilation and destruction of wetlands and watercourses while taking into account varying ecological, economic, recreational and aesthetic values. Activities that may damage wetlands or watercourses should be located on upland sites in such a manner as not to degrade these systems."[16]

In 2017, Rye resident and then New York State Senator George Latimer noted that wetlands maps for the area have not been updated in over 20 years [17]

Flooding

[edit]

Flooding has long been an issue in Rye as in other coastal towns with water coming in from Long Island Sound. The Blind Brook watershed is also a source of that flooding with significant deluges recorded in the neighborhood of Indian Village after four days of rain in October 1975.[18]

Three major weather events in just five years produced catastrophic damage in the town.

  • Following major flooding in March 2007, the April 2007 nor'easter six weeks later left some homes in Rye with over five feet of floodwater.[19][20]
  • In 2011, the after effects of Hurricane Irene in August and Hurricane Maria in September included swelling of Blind Brook and submersion of private and commercial properties including the Rye Nature Center, Indian Village, the Rye High football field, businesses on Purchase Street and homes on Milton and Highland Roads.[21]
  • Storm surges from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 resulted in evacuations of many coastal residences and facilities including the Milton firehouse.[22]

The city's response to these recurring hazards was to apply for funding through the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program. Rye received $3,000,000 to safeguard the city against future flooding threats, upgrade its infrastructure for resiliency, identify stormwater mitigation solutions, and protect historic buildings and natural wetlands.[23][24]

Starting on September 1, 2021, Rye experienced another substantial flooding event. The storm lasted two days and caused significant damage to municipal facilities, businesses and residences.[25] Areas around Indian Village and other sections of the city that had previously flooded during Hurricane Irene were under 8–9 feet of water. Other areas around the town normally not affected by flooding were also affected. Prior to the flooding event, Rye had undergone approximately five inches of rainfall[26] from Hurricane Henri.[27] Two weeks later, the remnants of Hurricane Ida dropped another 8–9 inches of rain in the area within a 12-hour period.[28][29] Hurricane Ida remnants caused flooding in Rye nearly 10 years to the day from Hurricane Irene.

Rye Marshlands archaeological artifacts.

Indigenous artifacts

[edit]

As of 2010, 75 percent of the acreage in Rye had been determined to be archaeologically sensitive with many Indigenous contact sites.[30][31][32] At least two villages have been determined to have existed.[33] Unearthed artifacts include implements, bones, pottery, skeletons, and a burial ground at the site of the present Playland Casino.[34][35][36][37][38]

Neighborhoods

[edit]

Many of Rye's unique neighborhoods are defined in the 1985 Master Plan.[12] Many have historic significance and their preservation was signaled as important for enhancing Rye's character. They include:

Proposed National Register District

  • Soundview Park
  • Church Row

Local or National Register Significance

  • Dogwood/Upper Dogwood Lane
  • Grace Church Street Area
  • Milton Harbor
  • Kirby Mill
  • Post Road Old Cottage District
  • Central Business District
  • Dublin (West Rye)[39]
  • Greenhaven
  • Indian Village
  • Loudon Woods[40]
  • Rye Town Park
  • Hix Park

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19103,964—
19205,30833.9%
19308,71264.1%
19409,86513.2%
195011,72118.8%
196014,22521.4%
197015,86911.6%
198015,083−5.0%
199014,936−1.0%
200014,9550.1%
201015,7205.1%
202016,5925.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[41]

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 16,592 people living in the city. This is representative of approximately 5491 households.

74.8% had a college degree.

15.5% were over the age of 65.

51.7% were women.

88.2% identified themselves as White alone. 6.7% identified as Hispanic or Latino. 5.6% identified as Asian alone. 1.3% identified as Black or African American alone. [42]

Economy

[edit]

The headquarters of Jarden and GAMCO Investors are located in Rye.

Arts and culture

[edit]
Memorial Day Parade

Historic sites

[edit]

National Historic Landmarks

[edit]
Jay Gardens sensory room and reflecting pool
The wooden Dragon Coaster at Playland Amusement Park, a National Historic Landmark founded in 1927.

Boston Post Road Historic District, a National Historic Landmark District[43] and former home of John Jay, includes five historically significant parcels:

Playland, opened in 1928, is a 279-acre (113 ha) theme park which features rides, games, an indoor skating rink, beach, boardwalk, and concession stands. It is one of only two amusement parks in the United States designated a National Historic Landmark. Its wooden roller coaster, Dragon Coaster, built in 1929, is one of the last roller coasters built by Frederick Church still operating.[46] The Derby Racer, also built by Church, is one of only two rides of its kind in the US [47] and one of three remaining in the world.[48]

Sites on the National Register of Historic Places

[edit]
Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in southern Westchester County, New York
Rye Post Office dedicated to Caroline O'Day

Other historic sites

[edit]
Christ's Church clock tower Rye

Parks and recreation

[edit]
Jay Meadow, Rye, NY

Parks and nature reserves

[edit]

Rye has over 454 acres (184 ha) of green open space,[12] as well as coastline.[6]

  • Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary (179 acres) established in 1985.
  • Rye Nursery Park – acquired "for wetland restoration and park uses".[56]
  • Rye Town Park – opened in 1909.[57]

Private and public clubs

[edit]

Rye has numerous private country clubs, many of which were formed in the late 19th and early 20th century. The combined acreage of these clubs affords members and guests over 993 acres of recreation.[58]

Recreation facilities

[edit]
  • Disbrow Park (51 acres) – tennis, baseball; dedicated as a park in 1930[60][61]
  • Rye Golf Club (126 acres) – golf, swimming; course designed by Devereux Emmet in 1921[62]

Government

[edit]

The mayor is Josh Nathan.[63] City council is composed of the mayor and six council members.[64] The city manager is Brian Shea.[64]

Education

[edit]

Public schools

[edit]

Most of the city is in the Rye City School District.[65] Rye is served by three public elementary schools: Osborn, Milton, and Midland.

Rye Middle School and Rye High School are part of the same campus, and the two buildings connect.

The Greenhaven and The Preserve at Rye neighborhoods of the City of Rye[citation needed] are served by the Rye Neck School District.[65] Rye Neck High School and Middle School are on one campus also located partially in the City of Rye.

Private schools

[edit]

Media

[edit]
  • MyRye.com[66]
  • The Rye Record – community paper founded in 1997.[67]

Filming location

[edit]

Infrastructure

[edit]

Transportation

[edit]

The Rye train station provides commuter rail service to Grand Central Terminal in New York City or Stamford and New Haven-Union Station via the Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line. The Bee-Line Bus System provides bus service to Rye.

Police department

[edit]

Rye Police Department has 36 sworn police officers. The Rye Auxiliary Police is an all-volunteer force that provides assistance when needed. The Westchester County Police also patrol areas of Rye. New York State Police patrols Interstate 95 and 287, and MTA Police patrol the Rye Train station and property within the Metro North right-of-way.[citation needed]

Fire department

[edit]
Rye Fire House

Rye Fire Department has 100 volunteer firefighters and 21 paid firefighters. The department has two fire stations.[citation needed]

Emergency medical services

[edit]

Emergency medical service is provided by Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook EMS at the Advanced Life Support Level (ALS). The agency has 30 paid EMTs, 15 paramedics and five volunteers. They operate up to five ALS ambulances and three paramedic flycars from their station in Port Chester and responds to over 5,000 calls a year between Port Chester, Rye and Rye Brook.[citation needed]

Notable people

[edit]
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Office of the Comptroller (2013). "Fiscal Profile" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-12-14.
  2. ^ a b "Rye Democratic Ticket Sweeps Election, Takes Newly Aligned Majority on City Council". The Rye Record. 2026-11-05. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  3. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  4. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – State – Place and (in selected states) County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-12-23.
  5. ^ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Rye city, New York". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
  6. ^ a b c d "City of Rye Local Waterfront Revitalization Program" (PDF). Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  7. ^ Brown, Betsy (1988-01-10). "IN THE REGION: Westchester and Connecticut; Rye Weighs Plan to Preserve Waterfront". The New York Times. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  8. ^ "Hazard Mitigation – City of Rye" (PDF). Westchester County. Retrieved 2019-12-14.
  9. ^ "City of Rye LWRP". NY Department of State, Office of Planning and Development. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  10. ^ Selleck, Rev. Charles M. (1896). Norwalk. The author. p. 371.
  11. ^ Robert Bolton (1848). A History of the County of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time. Alexander Gould.
  12. ^ a b c d e "City of Rye, NY, 1985 Development Plan" (PDF). City of Rye Planning Commission. 1985. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  13. ^ "Vistors at Rye Camp on the Beach". The White Plains Argus. 1902-07-15. p. 2.
  14. ^ "Oldest Hotel at Rye B'ch Bought by Simon Goldae". The Daily Item. 1923-08-17. p. 1.
  15. ^ "Quarry History of NY". Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  16. ^ City of Rye. "Chapter 195, Wetlands and Watercourses". Retrieved 2019-12-14.
  17. ^ "NYS Senator Seeks Greater Protection for Wetlands". 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  18. ^ "Chronological Review of 1975 Seen in Chronicle Headlines". The Rye Chronicle. 1976-01-01. p. 11.
  19. ^ Robert D. McFadden (2007-04-17). "Storm Leaves a Toll of Flooding and Hardship". The New York Times.
  20. ^ Jay Sears (2007-04-15). "Rye Hit By Second Flood In Six Weeks". My Rye. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  21. ^ Renea Henry (2011-09-08). "Not Again, Rain Causes Flooding in Indian Village". Rye patch. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  22. ^ "Hurricane Sandy Hits Rye Hard". Rye Fire Department. 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  23. ^ "RISING Community Reconstruction Plan, Rye, NY" (PDF). Governor's Office of Storm Recovery. December 2015. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  24. ^ Robin Jovanovich (2018-10-17). "Council Makes a Timely Decision on NY Rising Projects". The Rye Record. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  25. ^ "Ida Flood Review". City of Rye. 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  26. ^ Miller, Ryan. "Henri dumps rain, causes flooding in New York. How much to expect in each region". The Journal News. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  27. ^ "Rain from Henri causes flooding concerns in Rye". News 12 – Westchester. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  28. ^ "PHOTOS: Massive Flooding Across Rye". MyRye.com. 2021-09-02. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  29. ^ "Rye residents stunned by the amount of rain that fell during the storm". News 12 – Westchester. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  30. ^ "CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY LONG ISLAND SOUND – DREDGED MATERIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN, Long Island Sound, Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island, VOLUME I, Contract #W921WJ-08-R-002, WHG #PAL0002" (PDF). PAL Publications. August 2010. pp. 103–105. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  31. ^ Lucianne Lavin and Birgit Morse (1985). "Ceramic Assemblages from the Rye Marshland Area of Southern New York" (PDF). The Bulletin and Journal of Archaeology for New York State. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  32. ^ Stuart J. Fiedel (1988). "Orient Fishtail Points from the Rye Marshlands Conservancy" (PDF). Archaeology Society of Connecticut. pp. 111–124. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  33. ^ "SIXTEEN GRADUATE FROM RYE HIGH SCHOOL". Rye Chronicle. 1926-10-16. p. 3.
  34. ^ "Historical". Rye Chronicle. 1965-11-18. p. 13.
  35. ^ Charles Washington Baird (1871). Chronicle of a Border Town: History of Rye, Westchester County, New York. New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Company. p. 193.
  36. ^ Whitman Bailey (1941-08-15). "Historic Milton Road". Rye Chronicle. p. 1.
  37. ^ "Historic Land; Arrowheads Found at Indian Hill, Off Milton Road". Rye Chronicle. 1926-10-16. p. 16.
  38. ^ "MR. MOREHEAD SUGGESTS DISBROW PARK FOR PUBLIC RECREATION". Rye Chronicle. 1945-07-13. p. 5.
  39. ^ Howard Husock (2021-09-11). "The importance of Dublin and Limerick, and the future of affordable neighborhoods". American Enterprise Institute. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  40. ^ "RYE NEIGHBORHOODS FORM CITY-WIDE ASSOCIATION". Rye Chronicle. 1961-10-26. p. 10.
  41. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
  42. ^ "Quick facts, Rye city, New York". United States Census Bureau.
  43. ^ Vivian J. Dennis (1983-02-20). "The Sound Shore also offers diverse historic landmarks". Gannett Westchester Newspapers.
  44. ^ Field Horne (2018). Westchester County: A History. Westchester Historical Society.
  45. ^ Cary, Bill (2015-02-27). "Jay gardens in Rye to get 'sustainable' makeover". lohud.
  46. ^ Futrell, Jim, Amusement Parks of New York, Stackpole Books, Pennsylvania, 2006
  47. ^ "Little amusement in Playland debate". The Journal News. 2001-07-28. p. 4.
  48. ^ "Prior and Church Racing Derby History". Euclid Beach Park Now, The Arch. 2017. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  49. ^ Leah Rae (2012-09-11). "Post Road Milestones Along the Path of History". The Journal News. p. A4.
  50. ^ Abhik Das (2025-10-27). "These Are The Oldest Roads In The U.S. Still Being Used Today". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  51. ^ Gabriel Rom (2017-02-03). "Will Rye move 200-year-old mile marker?". The Journal News. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  52. ^ "Visitors Admire Mural of John Jay in Rye Post Office". The Rye Chronicle. 1938-01-28. p. 4.
  53. ^ "African American Heritage Trail brochure". Westchester County, New York. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  54. ^ "Milton Point Mansion Given by Owner for Religious Work". Rye Chronicle. 1951-03-22.
  55. ^ "Cemetery Offers Life Lessons". The Journal News. 1999-05-08. p. 2A.
  56. ^ City of Rye, New York (November 2001). "Flood Mitigation Plan". Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  57. ^ Debbie Reisner (2019-02-08). "Rye Town Park Secures Funds For ADA Compliant Upgrades". Retrieved 2019-12-07.
  58. ^ Clary, Suzanne,"Sailing and Tennis and Golf Clubs, Oh Rye!", Rye Magazine, Weston Publishing, (July 2015)
  59. ^ "Meeting Here Tonight of the New Rye Club". The Daily Argus. 1921-07-14.
  60. ^ "Disbrow Park". The Rye Chronicle. 1930-02-15.
  61. ^ "J. M. Morehead's Gift to Village, Former Mayor Presents Property for New Parkway Leading to Disbrow Park in Milton". The Rye Chronicle. 1931-12-05.
  62. ^ "New Rye Country Club Rushing Work of Construction of 18 Hole Course". New York Evening Post. 1921-08-13.
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  65. ^ a b "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Westchester County, NY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
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  68. ^ Mary Elizabeth Andriotis (2021-11-08). "How Two Historic House Museums Were Transformed for Season Three of Dickinson". House Beautiful. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
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  70. ^ Mark Lungiarello (2018-07-13). "The movie 'Big,' starring Tom Hanks, and its connection to Playland, turns 30". Retrieved 2026-01-12.
  71. ^ Carlton, Mabel C. (1924). "Obituary, Caleb H. Carlton". Fifty-fifth Annual Report of the Association of the Graduates of the United States Military Academy. Saginaw, Michigan: Seemann & Peters. pp. 72–74 – via Google Books.
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  73. ^ O'Kane, Cahair (2022-05-23). "McCole finding his way". The Irish News. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  74. ^ Stubbs, Dave (2023-11-05). "'Groundbreaking' Mulvoy set to accept Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  75. ^ Rye, New York at Soccerway. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  76. ^ "Will Sands - Men's Soccer".
  77. ^ "Tatiana Saunders: Lewes FC goalkeeping and a finance career". Sportageous. 2020-11-14. Archived from the original on 2022-06-26. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  78. ^ "Edgar 'Ed' Wachenheim III". CNBC. 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2019-05-24.
  79. ^ Burns, Joseph E. (2012). "Chapter 1: A Long, Long Time Ago: A Lyrical Interpretation". In Schuck, Raymond I.; Schuck, Ray (eds.). Do You Believe in Rock and Roll?: Essays on Don McLean's "American Pie". McFarland. pp. 21, 22. ISBN 9781476600369.
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