Situated
25 miles north of Manhattan, White Plains New York is one of the
top suburban office and retail centers in the nation. It is the
Westchester County seat and the center for business, retail, and
Federal, State and County courts and offices. White Plains ranks
5th in New York State for annual retail sales volume and features
major retail establishments such as Sak's Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's,
Nordstrom's, Macy's and Neiman Marcus. It offers a comprehensive,
efficient, multi-modal public transportation system and is the
gateway to both metropolitan and upstate New York, New England
and other major northeaster markets. It is no surprise that White
Plains is viewed by resident and visitor alike as one of the most
attractive and desirable cities in the state, and proudly displays
the flag, "Tree City U.S.A."
Early History of White Plains: White Plains was first settled
by the Weckquaeskeck tribe, members of the Mohican nation, who
called this area Quarropas. The name was descriptive of the fogs
that hung above the swamplands and remained suspended for days
on end like a white opaque blanket. Translated, Quarropas means
"the white marshes" or "the white plains."
The land White Plains now occupies - settled by New England colonists
who bought it from the Mohican Indians in 1683 - has been a focal
point in the history of New York State and the nation. The White
Plains Armory on South Broadway stands on the site of the original
County Courthouse where, on July 11, 1776, the Declaration of
Independence was read publicly in New York State for the first
time. This historical event supports the claim that White Plains
is the birthplace of the State of New York. George Washington
later established headquarters here, and the Battle of White Plains
marked a turning point in the struggle for independence. In 1778,
White Plains became county seat of Westchester by legislative
act. On April 3, 1866, White Plains became an incorporated village
and in 1916 the Village was incorporated as a City. |
