Wykagyl, New Rochelle, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wykagyl
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Westchester |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.00 sq mi (15.5 km2) |
| • Land | 5.00 sq mi (12.9 km2) |
| • Water | 1.00 sq mi (2.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 120 feet ft (36.57 meters m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 14,146 |
| • Density | 2,357.67/sq mi (910.30/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
10804
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| Area code(s) | 914 |
| FIPS code | 83327 |
| GNIS feature ID | 71774 / 71775 |
Wykagyl is a community in New Rochelle, Westchester County, New York, United States. It is known by its ZIP code 10804. This area covers a large part of New Rochelle's 'North End'. In 2010, Wykagyl's 10804 ZIP code was ranked among the most expensive in the U.S. It is also known for its high average household income. Many adults in Wykagyl have college degrees.
Contents
What is Wykagyl Like?
Wykagyl is mostly made up of large residential areas. These areas have many planned communities. They were built in the early to mid-1900s. You can find big, older-style homes here. These homes often have beautiful gardens.
Architectural Styles in Wykagyl
The houses in Wykagyl show different building styles. Some are like old English homes, called Elizabethan or Cotswold Tudor. Others look like Mediterranean villas. There are also classic colonial homes. In the northern part of Wykagyl, you will see homes from the 1950s and 60s. These include colonial, ranch, and split-level houses.
Community Hub
At the center of Wykagyl, there is an 18-hole golf course. This course is part of a country club. There is also a small area with shops and offices. You can find apartments and condos here too. Wykagyl has public and private schools. There are also many places of worship.
Where Did the Name Wykagyl Come From?
The name Wykagyl is pronounced WIKE-uh-gihl or WICK-uh-gill. People believe it comes from two Native American words. Wigwos means birch bark. Keag means country. The name likely came from a shorter version of a name. This was the name of an Algonquian-speaking group called the Lenape. They lived in this area a long time ago.
Wykagyl's History
Around the late 1800s, this part of "Upper Rochelle" was mostly farmland. The Wykagyl Country Club was one of the few exceptions. It moved to its current location in 1905. By 1912, New Rochelle was growing fast. New homes were being built northward. North Avenue was the main road.
How Wykagyl Grew
A group of bankers and investors started buying large areas of land. This land was around the golf club. They called their company Wykagyl Reservation. This area was perfect for new transportation. The New York, Westchester and Boston Railway commuter line had just been finished. Alfred Feltheimer designed the railroad's stations. He named the "Wykagyl" station after the golf club. The new train line helped the area grow. It brought new buildings and businesses. This led to a big increase in people living there.
Developers quickly started building houses on the farmland. They sold these homes to new residents. "Wykagyl Gardens" was one of the biggest apartment complexes at the time. It was built right next to the train station.
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Early development map
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Homes in Wykagyl Park
Who Lives in Wykagyl?
In 2010, about 14,146 people lived in the Wykagyl ZIP code area. There were 4,961 households. Most of the homes (94.8%) were owned by the people living in them.
Population Details
Most people in Wykagyl are White (85.2%). Other groups include Black or African American (7.9%) and Asian (4.1%). About 3% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (1,808) had children under 18. Most families (3,689) were married couples. The average family size was 3.3 people.
Age and Education
The population in Wykagyl is spread out by age. About 27% are under 18 years old. About 17% are 65 or older.
Many residents are in school. About 16% are in pre-school or kindergarten. About 40% are in elementary school. High school students make up 22%. College or graduate students are 17%. A large number of adults (85%) have completed college or higher education.
Income and Work
Only about 2% of the population lives below the poverty line. Most people who can work are employed (97.8%). The average household income in Wykagyl is high. Many households (62%) earn $100,000 or more each year.
Education in Wykagyl
Wykagyl has both public and private schools.
Public Schools
The City School District of New Rochelle serves the area. It has one public high school. There are also two junior high schools and six elementary schools.
Schools located in Wykagyl include:
- Albert Leonard Middle School (grades 6-8)
- Henry Barnard Early Childhood Center
- New Rochelle High School
- William B. Ward Elementary School (pre-kindergarten to grade 5)
Private Schools
Several private schools are also in the Wykagyl area:
- Iona Grammar School (grades 1-8)
- Iona Prep (grades 9-12)
- The Ursuline School (grades 6-12)
- Thornton-Donovan School (kindergarten to grade 12)
- Hudson Country Montessori School (pre-kindergarten to grade 2)
Places to Visit in Wykagyl
Historic Sites
Wykagyl has several places that remember Thomas Paine. He was an American writer and hero of the Revolutionary War. You can visit his home, where he was buried, and a museum.
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- Thomas Paine Cottage: This house was built in 1793. It is on land that used to be part of Paine's farm. The house is a National Historic Landmark. Today, it is a museum.
- Thomas Paine Memorial Museum: This building was built in 1925. It holds the library and museum collection of the Thomas Paine National Historical Association.
- Israel Secord House: This house is at 1337 North Avenue. The oldest part of the house was built in the 1770s. It was built by Israel Secord. During the Revolutionary War, a British general used this house as his headquarters. There used to be a large oak tree behind the house. People say it was used to execute prisoners during the war. The house has been changed over the years, but it still has many old parts.
- The Brewster Schoolhouse: This is one of the oldest buildings in Westchester County. It dates back to the 1700s. It is about 15 feet by 20 feet.
- Norman Rockwell's studio: This was the home and studio of the famous artist Norman Rockwell. He created many of his well-known Saturday Evening Post artworks here.
- St. John's Wilmot Church: This is a historic church. It is located at the northern end of the city.
Parks and Recreation
- Wykagyl Country Club: This is a private club. It has hosted professional golf tournaments.
- Ward Acres: This preserve has untouched forests, wild lawns, and meadows. It has many hiking trails. There are also old horse stables and cemeteries. It covers about 62 acres.
- Leatherstocking Trail: This is a 2-mile long hiking trail. It connects New Rochelle and Mamaroneck. It is part of a larger trail system called the Colonial Greenway Trail.
- Sheldrake Lake: This used to be a water reservoir. Now it is a 60-acre park. It helps people learn about the local environment.
- Twin Lakes Park and Nature Study Woods: These two areas together cover about 220 acres. They have woods, marshes, lakes, and ponds. You can find many trails for walking here.
- Lake Isle: This is a man-made lake. It is in the northwestern part of Wykagyl. It is used for swimming and boating. You can find many types of fish here. A horse trail was built around the lake in 1988.
Wykagyl in Movies
Wykagyl has been a filming location for movies.
- Goodfellas: Some scenes from this movie were filmed on Alfred Lane. This street is near Albert Leonard Middle School. The house of Henry Hill's wife, Karen, is on Alfred Lane. A scene where Karen makes a phone call was filmed near the Wykagyl Country Club.
- Catch Me If You Can: This movie is based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr. It is set in New Rochelle in the 1960s. In the film, the Abagnale family lives in Wykagyl.
Images for kids
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Early development map
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Homes in Wykagyl Park
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Census map of Wykagyl
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Thomas Paine Cottage
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The Thomas Paine Monument
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Israel Secord House, 1946 photo. (Sheehy family collection)
