According to Jaap Ketting in “Bedford Hills – a Brief History of Bedford Hills. Town of Bedford, NY” it took a train to make a Town.

Prior to the advent of the Train, Cherry Street was the hub of local activity in the area south of Katonah. There the needs of the residents were met by Squire Wood’s General Store. Squire Wood owned a mill, a saddling place and organized the local farmers to sell their produce to New York. He delivered it via two sloops on the Hudson from The Village of Singsing - now known as Ossining. He also served as Postmaster for many years. There was the Cherry Street School House and the older students went to Katonah for High School. School was part time so that the children could help on the family farms.

The arrival of the train in 1847 brought about the naming of the stop Bedford Station which was comprised of merely a platform for the waiting passengers and freight bound for New York City. Now farmers were able to ship produce directly from their local farms and include fresh milk. Eventually cattle cars were added to the freight trains en route to the New York City slaughter houses. The Post Office then moved to the Station in 1848. There was a stage coach that would run between Bedford Village and the Station to pick up and drop off passengers. The first station car?

The street was then known as New Street until after 1935 when it was renamed Adams Street after the “Adams Brothers General Store” the largest general store in the area. It stood along the tracks where we have the Post Office today. There also was a large Hotel run by Mrs. O’Brien where the large brick Depot Plaza Building now stands.

Bedford Station was renamed to Bedford Hills in 1910.

The Bedford Hills Station area has had a renaissance over the past few years complete with stylish shops and restaurants.

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom