Runyon Heights, Yonkers facts for kids
Runyon Heights, also known as Nepperhan, is a neighborhood in the city of Yonkers, New York. It's located in the northwestern part of Yonkers, USA. This area has a special history as one of the first middle-class neighborhoods mainly for African American families. You can find Runyon Heights along Tuckahoe Road, between the Saw Mill River Parkway and the New York State Thruway. Important places here include Saint Mary's Cemetery and Kardash Park.
History of Runyon Heights
Runyon Heights, also called Nepperhan, started as a small part of the Tenth Ward in Yonkers. Back then, the city of Yonkers was split into twelve different areas called wards.
How the Neighborhood Was Designed
A unique thing about Runyon Heights is that it has many dead-end streets. These streets helped separate the neighborhood from other areas nearby. Before World War I, Runyon Heights was planned to be one of the first suburban areas mainly for Black families. It had very few streets that went through to the neighboring white communities.
Community Life and Politics
In Runyon Heights, places like barber shops and beauty salons were more than just businesses. They were important meeting spots for the community. People living there were very active in local politics. Voters from Nepperhan were known for thinking carefully about their choices. They often voted for candidates from different political groups, not just one.
Their votes were based on important issues that affected their lives. This made them very powerful in close local elections. The people of Runyon Heights believed in a simple idea: they should vote for the candidates who would do the most good for their community. They didn't just vote for one political party without thinking.
