The school and recitation rooms are large and pleasant, with high ceilings, well ventilated, and built with a proper regard to the health and convenience of both teachers and students.

Besides these institutions, there are the St. Gabriel's school, (Episcopal), the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels, (Roman Catholic), and Miss Germond's school for young ladies.

The near proximity of Peekskill to New York city makes it easy of access by the Hudson River Railroad all the year around, and in the summer by steam boats. Some seventeen trains daily leave Peekskill going north and south, whilst ten leave New York City for Peekskill.

Here is the market centre of an extensive manufacturing country, but the chief business is the manufacturing and working of iron. The history of the iron business in Peekskill may be said to have begun fifty years

1 16 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

ago, when Stephen Gregory commenced melting iron in a crucible for the purpose of making plow castings. His place was located on Main street, on property now occupied by Southard, Robertson & Co. (The People's Stove Works.) He was succeeded by Wyley, Conklin & Co., who, in 1826, commenced the erection of new buildings, put in machinery, and largely increased the business.

The plow works of Wyley & Conklin having been sold to Henry Robinson, the manufacture of grates and mantles for dwelling houses was commenced. Mr. Robinson was succeeded by Thos. Southard, dee'd, in 1840, who commenced the manufacture of stoves. Some eight or ten years afterwards, upon the death of Mr. Southard, the present farm of Southard, Robertson & Co. came into possession, and the imprint of the People's Stove Works may now be found upon work of their manufacture all over the land.