Situated on 4.2 square miles in southern Westchester, Mount Vernon (3rd most populated city in Westchester ) is strategically located close to NYC, Long Island and lower Connecticut. Two railroad lines service the city. Known as the "city of homes," Mount Vernon offers a myriad of housing types in diverse neighborhoods. Mount Vernon has a broad economic base, from major manufacturers, research facilities and distribution centers to small specialized firms. 
      In 1642, Anne Hutchinson brought her family to a place near what is now St. Paul's Church and established one of the county's first settlements; she was fleeing religious persecution in Boston and Provence! In the late 1600's, the northwest portion of Mount Vernon was purchased from the Indians under the long reach land agreement, which became part of the Town of Eastchester; a royal patent from Queen Anne was bestowed in 1708. 
       the Village of Mount Vernon was formed in 1851, when John Stevens bought up 94 acres from Eastchester for his Home Association No.1 and began developing lots for housing sites. He wanted to call it Monticello after Jefferson's lovely Virginia home, but that name was already taken in New York State. Next best, he selected Mount Vernon in honor of Washington's home. At the same time, other parts of Eastchester was being sold off for community development.
    West Mount Vernon was settled by Teutonia Homestead, comprised almost entirely of Germans, as was the cooperative association of East Mount Vernon. Some areas were part of a lottery, such as central Mount Vernon, which was drawn by a poor baker who then sold it off to make some money. Chester Hill was the brainchild of Charles Crary in 1869; his lot site drove surveyors to despair, but Crary's pickier and more restrictive planning made for a lovelier community with nicer houses. All parts of Mount Vernon were finally joined together in 1892 when the city was incorporated. 
      After the civil war, Mount Vernon social scene was active with theatre, parties, balls, concerts and festivals. three impressive hotels were popular. During the late 1860's and early 1870's, Mount Vernon had fair share of shaky politicians. Tweed, Corson and sweeny widened and straightened streets, but left a $300,000 hole in the budget. then in the 1870's, they started the Eastchester National Bank with $300,000, but it folded when boss Tweed's Corruption was discovered in NYC. thisepisode didn't seem to affect things to badly, as Mount Vernon went on to grow and prosper; at Present Mount Vernon has 24 banks-10 commercial, 17 savings and7 savings & loans. Mount Vernon today has quite a dynamic Industrial Development Agency which offers financial incentives to encourage industrial growth in the city. 
      At one time, Mount Vernon was a theatre mecca for people in Westchester and upper NYC. the Proctor theatre was the "Palace theatre of the Suburbs" were almost every big act played-Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, George M. Cohan and Irving Berlin.

This is an excerpt taken from:
"The Best of Westchester" Marian Hamilton, Marken Publishing, Armonk, New York