Yonkers, New York

1646Dutch Settlement: Adriaen van der Donck, a Dutch nobleman (jonkheer), received a land grant. The area took its name from his title, eventually anglicized to 'Yonkers.'.

1853Otis Safety Elevator Invented: Elisha Otis developed and demonstrated his safety elevator at the Otis Elevator factory in Yonkers. The invention made modern skyscrapers and high-rise living possible.

1872City Incorporated: Yonkers incorporated as a city, already established as an industrial center with carpet mills, sugar refineries, and the Otis Elevator factory.

1899Yonkers Raceway Opens: The Empire City Trotting Club opened the harness racing track that would operate for over a century, becoming Yonkers Raceway and later Empire City Casino.

1917WWI Industrial Production: Yonkers' factories pivoted to war production, manufacturing military equipment and supplies as part of the massive American industrial mobilization.

1960Urban Renewal Controversies: Aggressive urban renewal projects demolished neighborhoods and displaced communities, decisions whose consequences shaped the city's racial and economic geography for decades.

1980Housing Desegregation Case: A federal judge ruled that Yonkers had intentionally segregated public housing. The city fought the ruling for years before being forced to build scattered-site housing, in a case that drew national attention.

2006Ridge Hill Development: The Ridge Hill mixed-use development brought major retail and dining to the city's east side, creating a new commercial center.

2014Waterfront Redevelopment: The Hudson River waterfront transformation replaced decaying industrial sites with luxury apartments, a public esplanade, and restaurants, changing the city's character.

2023Population Growth Continues: Yonkers surpassed 211,000 residents, benefiting from New York City spillover as housing costs pushed residents northward.