Yonkers History

Yonkers is the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 211,569 (according to the 2020 census). Following the 2020 census, Yonkers edged out Rochester to become the third most populous city in New York. Yonkers borders the New York City borough of The Bronx and is 2 miles (3 km) north of Manhattan at the cities' two respective closest points. (Courtesy of wikipedia.org)

Yonkers, having been founded over 300 years ago, is a city full of history. Throughout the early and mid-twentieth century, it was a city with considerable social, economic and political clout. Companies such as the Alexander Smith & Sons Carpet Co., Otis Elevator Co., the Waring Hat Co. and the Federal Sugar & Syrup Refinery dotted the landscape of the city. Famous people of the day such as William Boyce Thompson and John E. Andrus called the city their home. However, after the 1950s, manufacturing companies started leaving the city in droves, and, with them, the families who made Yonkers what it was.

Yonkers is currently going through a renaissance in the Getty Square and downtown areas, which will hopefully bring this city back to its former glory.

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Check under the Yonkers Obituaries section for the obituary index to the Herald Statesman.