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.
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