Peekskill's community is its foundation: See its longtime businesses and residents

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Pedestrians cross the intersection of Division Street and Central Avenue on Sept. 26 in downtown Peekskill. Peekskill was established as a village in 1816 and was incorporated as a city in 1940. The population was 25,431 at the 2020 U.S. census. In 1609, the explorer Henry Hudson anchored his ship, the Half Moon, along the banks of the Hudson River Peekskill. During the Revolutionary War, Peekskill was an important manufacturing center, supplying needed supplies to the Continental Army.

The Ford Piano Building, located on South Division Street in Peekskill, might become a downtown arts center and be affiliated with the Paramount Hudson Valley Theatre. The Ford Piano storefront traces its roots to the late 19th century, when the Ford family started their piano business.

Mark Cooperman walks his dog Yogi on Sept. 19 past The Golden Mean, a sculpture by artist Carole A. Feuerman, at Riverfront Green Park. The Golden Mean is one of several sculptures on permanent display at the waterfront park. The sculptures were originally part of Project V, a 2012 arts festival that brought artwork out of galleries and museums and into public spaces throughout the city.

Alex Delarosa, owner of The Cousin Barber Shop in downtown Peekskill, cuts the hair of Jose Cabrera of Cortlandt on Sept. 26. Delarosa has owned the barber shop, one of several barber shops and salons in the downtown area, for 11 years.

Lefty, a friendly customer greeter, looks out from his perch Sept. 26 in the window of the Speakeasy Tattoo Studio and Art Gallery in downtown Peekskill. Lefty is owned by shop owner and tattoo artist Pat Conlon, who has been a tattoo artist for 30 years and has owned the shop for the past 10 years.

Alex Mendia, owner of Gaucho's Steakhouse on North Division Street in Peekskill, sets out tables and chairs for outdoor dining Sept. 21, 2023. The steakhouse, specializing in Brazilian and Argentinian creations, is one of a variety of restaurants on North Division Street. Other culinary options include Mexican, BBQ, Caribbean, Italian, and American pub fare.

Annel Salazar, 22, Sean Ortega, 22, and Nicholas Carchi, 21, spend part of an afternoon at the Peekskill Coffee House on Sept. 20. The coffee house, located on South Division Street, is a longtime gathering spot for Peekskill residents, offering specialty coffees, baked food items with vegan and gluten free options as well as paninis and crepes. The coffee house also hosts local artists as well as live music.

Marcus Lutter, head brewer at Peekskill Brewery, removes spent grain from a vessel called a mash tun as he brews beer Sept. 29. Lutter, who has been head brewer for three years, says that the brewery has four core beers that are always being brewed, along with a selection of seasonal beers. The brewery is also a full-service restaurant.

Crossing Guard Rosalind Sharpe helps a child on her way home from school cross Sept. 26 at the intersection of Main Street and Decatur Avenue. Sharpe, a lifelong Peekskill resident, has been a crossing guard for two years. She said the best part of her job is how respectful the children are to her as she assists them on their way to and from school.

Rogjay Richards, 15, Alexander Golebiewski, 14, and Hector Blondet, 15, spent time after school playing video games Sept. 26 at the Field Library in Peekskill. The library hosts after school programs for teens on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, including movies, crafts, role playing games, and cooking. The library also has a newly renovated children's room.

About Seth Harrison: A voracious consumer of the news and passionate about covering the news, Seth is also an admittedly obsessed, oft-injured marathon runner. Seth can often be found in New York City, often for work but mostly for pleasure, where he is constantly amazed that after living in the metropolitan area for most of his life, he continues to discover treasures of the city that he never knew existed.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Peekskill NY sites and places to visit: lohud on location