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Waccabuc, New York facts for kids

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Waccabuc, New York
Waccabuc Country Club
Waccabuc Country Club
Waccabuc, New York is located in New York
Waccabuc, New York
Waccabuc, New York
Location in New York
Country United States
State New York
County Westchester
Town Lewisboro
Area
 • Total 3.34 sq mi (8.66 km2)
 • Land 3.34 sq mi (8.66 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Population
 • Total 851
 • Density 254.9/sq mi (98.27/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
10597
Area code(s) 914
GNIS feature ID 968618

Waccabuc is a small community, also known as a hamlet, located in Lewisboro, Westchester County, New York. It is known for its beautiful lake. Many people consider Waccabuc to be a "secret suburb" of New York City. This is because many famous and successful people live there, enjoying its quiet and private atmosphere. One well-known landmark in Waccabuc is called Castle Rock.

Waccabuc started as a special vacation spot. It was created by the Mead family, who were one of the oldest and most important families in Westchester. They wanted a peaceful and healthy place for people to relax. Some of the roads in Waccabuc, like "Tarry-a-Bit," are named after the old vacation houses they once served. The main building of the Waccabuc Country Club is even built where one of these original vacation homes used to be.

A famous event happened in Waccabuc on July 1, 1956. The movie star Marilyn Monroe married writer Arthur Miller there. Their wedding was a private Jewish ceremony held at the home of Miller's agent, Kay Brown. About 30 friends and family members attended the celebration.

Two important buildings, the Mead Memorial Chapel and The Homestead, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are officially recognized as important historical sites. The entire Waccabuc Historic District was also added to this list in 2015.

Waccabuc's Community and Homes

Waccabuc is a small community with only 851 people. It is the smallest of the four hamlets in Lewisboro. The community has special rules about building homes. These rules help Waccabuc stay quiet and keep its low population. This makes Waccabuc feel very unique and private compared to other areas.

In 2010, the average income for families in Waccabuc was very high. The average home value was also very high, around $1,243,423. This high value earned Waccabuc a spot on Forbes magazine's list of "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes." It was even listed above other well-known towns in Westchester like Scarsdale and Chappaqua. Even homes priced at $600,000 might be considered "teardown projects" by real estate agents. This means the land is worth more than the house itself.

Protecting the Land in Waccabuc

Waccabuc has special rules for its properties. All homes must be built on at least two acres of land. On most streets, this minimum is even larger, requiring four acres. This helps keep the area beautiful and natural.

To further protect the environment, the residents of Waccabuc worked together. They bought a large 100-acre piece of land. This land is now used for conservation, which means protecting nature. It also provides hiking trails for everyone to enjoy.

The Mead Memorial Chapel and The Homestead are important historic places. The entire hamlet of Waccabuc is also a designated historic district. This helps preserve its unique character and history. The local Post Office is also a special place. Residents have worked hard to keep it open and maintain it as a community gathering spot.

Famous People from Waccabuc

Many well-known people have lived in Waccabuc. Here are some of them:

  • Kay Brown: A talent scout who helped find new actors in Hollywood.
  • Elliott Carter: A famous composer who wrote music.
  • Sean Combs: A well-known rapper, producer, and actor, also known as Diddy.
  • Blythe Danner: An actress.
  • Alfred DelBello: A former Lieutenant Governor of New York.
  • William H. Donaldson: A former chairman of the SEC, which is a government agency that protects investors.
  • Hélène Grimaud: A talented pianist.
  • Bryant Gumbel: A television journalist and sportscaster.
  • Charles S. Haight, Jr.: A federal judge.
  • Allen Hershkowitz: A scientist who helps sports and Broadway become more environmentally friendly.
  • Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsoe: The owner of Evil Twin Brewing Company.
  • William P. Lauder: The CEO and President of Estee Lauder, a big beauty company.
  • O. Winston Link: A photographer known for his pictures of steam trains.
  • David Marks: An original member of the famous band, the Beach Boys.
  • Stanley O'Neal: A former CEO and President of Merrill Lynch, a financial company.
  • Bruce Paltrow: A director and producer.
  • Gwyneth Paltrow: An actress and singer.
  • Jake Paltrow: A director.
  • Marion Pritchard: A brave person who rescued Dutch Jews during World War II.
  • Ogden R. Reid: A United States Representative and Ambassador to Israel.
  • Roger Stone: A political strategist.
  • Christine Tucci: An actress.
  • Stanley Tucci: An actor.
  • Jean-Georges Vongerichten: A famous French chef and cookbook author.
  • Jeffrey Tambor: An American actor and comedian.
  • Scott Vaccaro: The founder of Captain Lawrence Brewing Company.
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