Shenorock is one of five communities in the Town of Somers. The other communities are Amawalk, Baldwin Place, Granite Springs and Lincolndale. The Town of Somers is located in the northern part of Westchester County.
The Mohegan tribe of the Algonquin nation originally occupied Somers. Settlement in Somers began in 1700. The town was originally named Stephentown. However, a town by the same name already existed in Renssealaer County. This lead to the name being changed to Somerstown, and in 1808 to the Town of Somers.
The railroad developed in the 1840's. Somers voted against having the railroad come through town. Consequently, the railroad bypassed Somers, which caused a decline in the rate of growth over the next hundred years. However, the presence of the railroad in nearby communities allowed for a shift from agriculture towards dairy production and fruit growing. Industry continued to thrive, with grist, paper, saw and clothing mills operating in the area. Between 1890 and 1910, the Croton and Muscoot Rivers were flooded to create the New York City Reservoir system, thereby changing the local landscape. After World War II, the rolling hillside country attracted weekenders from New York City. The construction of I-684 in the mid-70’s facilitated additional residential and commercial development. IBM and PepsiCo built large office complexes in the 1980’s.
Today, numerous 19th century historic buildings remain including Mount Zion Church (1794) and the Wright-Reis Homestead (1867). The Somers Historical Society oversees these properties and makes them available for public visitation several times a year.
Point of Interest: In 1804, a farmer and cattle merchant named Hachaliah Bailey acquired an African Elephant he named “Old Bet”. She was one of the first elephants in America. Although Bailey had planned to use the elephant for heavy-duty work on the farm, many people came to Somers to see the elephant. This inspired Bailey to exhibit Old Bet throughout the northeast. His success in this venture attracted numerous partners and rivals from local families, who joined in the business of importing and exhibiting exotic animals. The resulting menagerie business paralleled the development of the circus in America, and by the 1830’s the two forms of popular entertainment merged to form the basis of the modern American circus. In fact, the majority of early 19th century circus proprietors came from Somers and neighboring towns in northern Westchester and Putnam counties. This has led to Somers being titled “The Cradle of the American Circus”.
The Hebrew Congregation of Somers is a Reconstructionist synagogue where all Jews, regardless of their affiliation, are welcomed. We are a congregation committed to helping our members and the communities where they live. We strive for a partnership between traditional Judaism and the present needs of modern Jews.
The Somers Central School District is located at 334 Route 202, Somers, NY 10589 in Westchester County. Somers is located in the northern section of Westchester County, 45 miles north of New York City. The town is bordered on the north by Putnam County, with Connecticut a few miles to the east and the Hudson River to the west. Somers is comprised of the following communitites: Amawalk, Granite Springs, Lincolndale, Purdys, Shenorock and Somers.
Primrose and the High School share a campus; the Intermediate and Middle Schools share a campus; and the District Office is at Bailey Court. The Somers Central School District is comprised of the following schools:
Shenorock is one of five communities in the Town of Somers. The other communities are Amawalk, Baldwin Place, Granite Springs
and Lincolndale. The Town of Somers is located in the northern part of Westchester County.
The Mohegan tribe of the Algonquin nation originally occupied Somers. Settlement in Somers began in 1700. The town was originally
named Stephentown. However, a town by the same name already existed in Renssealaer County. This lead to the name being
changed to Somerstown, and in 1808 to the Town of Somers.
The railroad developed in the 1840's. Somers voted against having the railroad come through town. Consequently, the railroad
bypassed Somers, which caused a decline in the rate of growth over the next hundred years. However, the presence of the railroad
in nearby communities allowed for a shift from agriculture towards dairy production and fruit growing. Industry continued to thrive,
with grist, paper, saw and clothing mills operating in the area. Between 1890 and 1910, the Croton and Muscoot Rivers were flooded
to create the New York City Reservoir system, thereby changing the local landscape. After World War II, the rolling hillside country
attracted weekenders from New York City. The construction of I-684 in the mid-70’s facilitated additional residential and commercial
development. IBM and PepsiCo built large office complexes in the 1980’s.
Today, numerous 19th century historic buildings remain including Mount Zion Church (1794) and the Wright-Reis Homestead (1867).
The Somers Historical Society oversees these properties and makes them available for public visitation several times a year.
Point of Interest: In 1804, a farmer and cattle merchant named Hachaliah Bailey acquired an African Elephant he named “Old Bet”.
She was one of the first elephants in America. Although Bailey had planned to use the elephant for heavy-duty work on the farm,
many people came to Somers to see the elephant. This inspired Bailey to exhibit Old Bet throughout the northeast. His success in
this venture attracted numerous partners and rivals from local families, who joined in the business of importing and exhibiting exotic
animals. The resulting menagerie business paralleled the development of the circus in America, and by the 1830’s the two forms of
popular entertainment merged to form the basis of the modern American circus. In fact, the majority of early 19th century circus
proprietors came from Somers and neighboring towns in northern Westchester and Putnam counties. This has led to Somers being
titled “The Cradle of the American Circus”.
Shenorock History (Somers)
