LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Hamlet
of Bedford Hills, New York, to be celebrated May 14, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the proud and distinguished histories of the communities which
comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Hamlet of Bedford Hills, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The centennial celebration will kick off at the Museum on
Friday, May 14, 2010, with the gala opening of "THEN & NOW", a compar-
ative photographic exhibit depicting Bedford Station pre-1910, and the
Bedford Hills of today; and
WHEREAS, In addition, on Saturday, May 15, 2010, an old fashioned
Community Day will be held at the Depot Plaza, where there will be a
sidewalk sale, vendor and civic organization tables, live entertainment,
a scavenger hunt, an historic self guided walking tour, pie baking
contest, food, fun, games and so much more; and
WHEREAS, In 1847, the railroad came to Bedford Hills, New York, and it
changed everything; with the arrival of the train, the local dairy farm-
ers quickly realized that their milk and other produce could quickly and
easily be transported to the city; the new community was named Bedford
Station; and
WHEREAS, At the time Bedford Station was an appropriate name, for not
only did the railroad provide an efficient delivery system for dairy
farmers, it also established a rapid transit system for Bedford Village
residents; livery services were started to shuttle the residents of
Bedford Village to and from the train; markets sprung up to service the
day-to-day shopping needs of Bedford residents; the growing hamlet was
both the expression of utility and commerce; and
WHEREAS, Around the turn of the last century, dairy farming, and the
transportation of dairy products from Bedford Station were no longer the
dominant activity; Bedford's dairy farms had begun moving northward;
lower land prices, continuing improvements in agricultural technology,
and refrigerated transportation made dairy and produce farming more
attractive to the north and west of New York City; at the same time,
demand by wealthy New Yorkers, locally known as "Hilltoppers", to buy
the farms for use as weekend retreats and prestigious estates was on the
increase; and
WHEREAS, As these demographic shifts were taking place, so was the
character of the Town of Bedford; by the first decade of the twentieth
century, the influence of the "Hilltoppers" was in full swing; many of
their properties were closer to the "Station" than they were to the
Village; their postal addresses reflected this reality and the residents
of Bedford Station sought a different name for their surroundings; and
WHEREAS, Therefore, several prominent residents, William Adams (owner
of the Adams Brothers Store and local hero) and Seth Lowe (former Mayor
of New York City), working with the Town Supervisor E.P. Barrett, led
the movement to change the name to Bedford Hills; and
WHEREAS, It was reported in the NORTH WESTCHESTER TIMES on February
18, 1910: "Bedford Station Will Soon Be Bedford Hills"; on February 9,
1910, the President nominated William B. Adams to be the Post Master for
Bedford Hills, New York; this was the first step needed in changing the
name, and with the official announcement, the completed name change was
expected shortly thereafter; and

WHEREAS, In the Spring of 1910, Bedford Station became known as
Bedford Hills; since that time, Bedford Hills has continued to grow,
eventually becoming the location for both the Town's Community Center
and its Town Hall; and
WHEREAS, With the arrival of the Saw Mill Parkway and the overpass for
Bedford Road came a change in traffic patterns; Bedford Hills began to
spread out as many new businesses developed along Bedford Road and up
Adams Street; the original hamlet remains vibrant, anchored by its
historic homes on Church and Main Streets, its several churches, public
library and elementary school, and its original Bedford Station; and
WHEREAS, Of historic origin, and remaining fruitful over the ebb and
flow of decades of growth and change, the Hamlet of Bedford Hills
continues to provide the quintessential quality of life for its resi-
dents; and
WHEREAS, The residents of Bedford Hills have a bright outlook for the
future of their community, which remains a beautiful place in which to
live and raise a family; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of the Bedford Hills' rich history and endur-
ing contribution to the State of New York, this Legislative Body is
proud to pay tribute to this spirited hamlet upon the occasion of its
100th Anniversary; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Hamlet of Bedford Hills, New
York, recognizing the significance of the role it continues to play in
the life of the community of the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Hamlet of Bedford Hills, New York.