The village of Croton-on-Hudson retains the beauty that graced the shores of the Croton and Hudson Rivers nearly four hundred years ago, when Henry Hudson's ship Half Moon sailed by in 1609. Incorporated in 1898, the village originally had a population of one thousand residents. Most people worked on farms surrounding the area, in the brickyards at Croton Point, or on the railroad. With the construction of the New Croton Dam in the early 1900s, the hamlet grew, attracting European artisans, whose descendants live in the area today.

A special mood infuses the village. It is small-town America in spite of its proximity to New York City. When Riverside was Main Street, tranquility, individuality, decency, simplicity, and peace of mind were common. These same features still attract newcomers, who add greatly to the quality of life. They are here because of the trees and highlands, the diverse population, and the location between two splendid rivers. Old Riverside was made up of buildings that tended to be sturdy rather than architecturally distinguished. The solid working-class community had a newspaper that echoed the interests of the people. The economy featured a mix of small industries, retail shops, and service establishments. Regardless of how wages were earned, most people participated in village life.