Somers, Town in Westchester County, United States
Somers is a town in Westchester County combining residential neighborhoods with open green spaces and scattered historic structures throughout its rolling landscape. The community centers around the repurposed Elephant Hotel building, while tree-lined roads and local parks define the character of this northern county area.
The settlement was renamed Somers in 1808 to honor Richard Somers, a naval officer from the wars against the Barbary States. In the early 1800s, the area became the birthplace of American circus after an elephant was first displayed to the public.
The Elephant Hotel, now serving as Town Hall, embodies the community's connection to early circus traditions and draws visitors curious about this unusual heritage. The town has preserved this connection in its local identity and how residents relate to their past.
The town is accessible by car and served by several train stations linking to Manhattan, including Purdys, Goldens Bridge, and Katonah. The area is relatively flat and walkable in places, with local roads connecting to shops and public facilities throughout the community.
An elephant called Old Bet was displayed here in the early 1800s as the first public animal exhibition in America, marking the start of organized circus. This unexpected link between a rural area and a global entertainment tradition surprises many visitors who might otherwise see this as just another suburban town.
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