Chappaqua, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chappaqua, New York
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| Etymology: Algonquian for "the rustling land" | |
Location of Chappaqua, New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| Region | Hudson Valley |
| County | Westchester |
| Town | New Castle |
| Seat | New Castle Town Hall 41°9′19″N 73°46′28″W / 41.15528°N 73.77444°W 320 ft (98 m) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.92 sq mi (2.39 km2) |
| • Land | 0.91 sq mi (2.35 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 330 ft (100 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,598 |
| • Density | 2,867.55/sq mi (1,107.16/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
10514
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| Area code(s) | 914 (Exchange: 238) |
| GNIS feature ID | 946393 |
| FIPS code | 36-13805 |
| River | Saw Mill |
Chappaqua (pronounced CHAP-ə-kwah) is a small community in Westchester County, New York. It's about 30 miles (48 km) north of New York City. Chappaqua is known as a hamlet, which is a small settlement, and also a census-designated place (CDP), meaning it's an area defined by the government for counting people. You can easily get there by train using the Metro-North Railroad's Harlem Line.
Chappaqua was started in the 1730s by a group of Quakers. It was also the home of Horace Greeley, a famous newspaper editor and U.S. congressman. Today, Chappaqua's high school is named after him.
Many well-known people have lived in Chappaqua. Leo Esaki, a Japanese scientist, won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1973 while living here. Also, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have lived in Chappaqua since the late 1990s.
Contents
Discovering Chappaqua's Past
In the early 1730s, a group of Quakers moved north from Purchase, New York, and settled in what is now Chappaqua. They built their homes on Quaker Road. Their special meeting house, where they held religious gatherings, was built in 1753. This building is still used for meetings every Sunday. The area around it, called the Old Chappaqua Historic District, is a protected historical site.
Horace Greeley's home, named Rehoboth, also stands in Chappaqua. It's another important historical landmark. Other historic places include the Chappaqua Railroad Depot and Depot Plaza, the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and Greeley Grove, and the Greeley House.
How Chappaqua Got Its Name
The name Chappaqua comes from an Algonquian word, shah-pah-ka. This word meant "the rustling land" or "the rattling land." It described a place where you could only hear the wind rustling through the leaves. The Quakers tried different spellings like Shapiqua and Shappaqua before settling on Chappaqua.
Town Development and Industries
On March 18, 1791, the government of New York divided a larger town into two smaller ones. One of these was named New Castle, which includes Chappaqua. The borders of New Castle have mostly stayed the same since then.
Chappaqua had important streams like the Saw Mill River and Roaring Brook. These rivers powered mills that crushed corn and pressed oil from beans. The eastern part of Chappaqua was great for farming, and many Quaker settlers were farmers. This led to high milk production. Other local industries included making shoes, hardware, vinegar, pickles, eyeglasses, and furniture. Sadly, a tornado in 1904 destroyed many early homes and businesses.
In 1846, the New York and Harlem Railroad came to Chappaqua. This made the new train station the center of business. Hotels, stables, a public library, and various shops opened. The railroad also made it possible for people to travel to New York City for work every day.
Chappaqua's Location and Environment
According to the 2020 U.S. census, Chappaqua covers about 0.45 square miles (1.17 km²), all of which is land. The Chappaqua ZIP Code area is quite large and includes parts of several nearby towns.
Chappaqua is easy to reach by car using the Saw Mill River Parkway.
Downtown Chappaqua Today
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Chappaqua has a lively downtown area along King Street and South Greeley Avenue. You'll find many businesses there, like Pizza Station, Little Thai Kitchen, and local shops. South Greeley Avenue is also home to Robert E. Bell Middle School, the Chappaqua Library, and the local police station.
Chappaqua's Population
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 2,598 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, Chappaqua had a population of 2,598 people. The community is known for having a high median household income. In 2008, CNNMoney even listed Chappaqua as one of the "25 top-earning towns" in the United States.
Arts and Culture in Chappaqua
Important Buildings and Landmarks
- The international headquarters of Reader's Digest magazine used to be in Chappaqua.
- The Chappaqua Friends Meeting House, built around 1753, is the oldest Quaker meeting house in Westchester County.
- Horace Greeley built America's first concrete barn on his Chappaqua farm in 1856. It was one of the first concrete buildings in the U.S.
- Part of one of Horace Greeley's homes is now part of the New Castle Historical Society.
- The Shamberg House, a modern building designed by Richard Meier, was built in Chappaqua in 1974.
- A large mansion in Chappaqua was used as a filming location for the 2022 horror movie Bodies Bodies Bodies.
Farmers Market Fun
Chappaqua's downtown area also has a great farmer's market near the Saw Mill River Parkway. It offers a variety of fresh, local vegetables and fruits. The market is open during the spring, summer, and fall harvest seasons.
Education in Chappaqua
The Chappaqua Central School District serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. In 2024, it had about 3,500 students, which is above the national average for school districts.
School History and Growth
Around 1928, Robert E. Bell Middle School was built, originally known as Horace Greeley School. The current Horace Greeley High School was built in 1957. The three elementary schools in Chappaqua were built between 1951 and 1971: Roaring Brook School, Douglas G. Grafflin, and Westorchard.
In 2003, a new middle school called Seven Bridges opened. This allowed the district to move fifth graders from elementary schools to middle schools. The district also added a full-day kindergarten program. In 2024, the Chappaqua Central School District was ranked as the 17th best public school district in New York State.
Current Schools in Chappaqua
The schools currently operating in Chappaqua include:
- Robert E. Bell MS (Middle School)
- Douglas Grafflin ES (Elementary School)
- Seven Bridges MS (Middle School)
- Roaring Brook ES (Elementary School)
- Horace Greeley High School
- Westorchard ES (Elementary School)
Early Schoolhouses
In the 1800s, small, one-room schoolhouses were common. There were eight such schools in the Chappaqua area. These small schools were used until around 1870. That's when the Quakers built a larger school called the Chappaqua Mountain Institute on Quaker Street. After a fire in 1885, the school was renovated and expanded. It was later sold in 1908, and its property is now owned by Children's Aid.
Emergency Services
Chappaqua's emergency services, like medical help and fire protection, are provided by volunteers. The Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps offers basic life support services. Paramedic services come from Westchester EMS. The New Castle Police Department protects the hamlet and is often the first to respond to medical emergencies. The Chappaqua Fire Department, started in 1910, provides firefighting services and has two firehouses.
Famous People from Chappaqua
Many notable people have lived in Chappaqua, including:
- Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, former U.S. President and First Lady.
- Alan Arkin, an Academy Award-winning actor.
- Ace Frehley, the lead guitarist from the band Kiss.
- Jean Craighead George, author of popular children's novels like My Side of the Mountain.
- Horace Greeley, a famous newspaper editor and politician who bought land in Chappaqua in 1853.
- David Ho, a well-known researcher in HIV/AIDS research.
- Sandra Lee, a TV host known for her cooking show.
- Ben Stiller, a popular actor.
- Vanessa Williams, a singer, actress, and former Miss America.
Images for kids
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Location of Chappaqua, New York
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South Greeley Ave (2024)
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Chappaqua Farm, West Chester County, N.Y., The Residence of Hon. Horace Greeley, Currier & Ives, c. 1870
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Statue of Horace Greeley in Chappaqua
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Reader's Digest headquarters at Chappaqua
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Chappaqua Fire Department
See also
In Spanish: Chappaqua para niños
