Cortlandt, town in Westchester County, New York, USA
Cortlandt is a town in the northwest part of Westchester County, New York, situated along the Hudson River. The terrain is hilly and covered with forests and streams, giving the town a noticeably natural character.
In 1609, Hendrick Hudson's ship stopped at Verplanck's Point, making it one of the earliest European contacts with this area. The Van Cortlandt family began buying land here from the late 1600s and shaped the development of what would become the town.
The name Cortlandt comes from the Van Cortlandt family, who acquired large tracts of land in the region from the late 1600s onward. Historic buildings and street names throughout the town still carry traces of that early settlement period.
The town is best explored by car since its communities and natural areas are spread out across hilly terrain. Walking along the Hudson River or following trails through the wooded sections are the most natural ways to spend time here.
The Croton Dam, located within the town, is built from stone and channels water from the surrounding hills into a large reservoir. What many visitors do not expect is that you can walk across the top of the dam and look directly down at the water flowing over the spillway below.
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