History of Westchester County, New York, Vol. I

Washington Heights, which crown the ridge near the site of Fort Washington, are the site of many fine residences.

The Spuyten Duyvel, it is said, derives its name from a legendary anecdote narrated by Washington Irving, who ascribes the performance from which it arose to Anthony Van Corlaer, trumpeter to the doughty Governor Stuyvesant. The original legend asserts that a valiant Dutchman, obstinately bent on crossing the stream in a storm, attempted to swim across " en spyt den duyvel "(in spite of the devil), but midway sank and was seen no more.

1 From " Hudson River IlliiHtrateil." Copyright, 187.'). By D. Appleton & Co.

The approach to the city of Yonkers is extremely interesting and picturesque. Handsome knolls and ranges of hills line the edge of the valley, and, on a fine eminence, is the large stone mansion of the Van Cortlandts, tlic road to which lies through the wooded range known as "Cortlandt's Ridge." It passes over a deep ravine, through which flows a sparkling brook, and is lined by masses of jagged rock. In front of the mansion a handsome view is obtained of the valley of Yonkers, and at the foot of the hill flows Tii)i)et's Brook. On the west side of the ridge is a charming view of the Hudson River, the Palisades and adjacent hills. The ancient residence of the Cortlandt fiimily stands in the valley below, about a mile from King's Bridge. A portion of the estate has been laid out as a park.