About Tuxedo Park

Tuxedo Park is a village in Orange County, New York, that was founded in the late 19th century as a private gated community for the wealthy elite. The village is located in the Ramapo Mountains and is named after Tuxedo Lake, which is situated within its borders.

In the mid-1800s, a wealthy tobacco merchant named Pierre Lorillard IV purchased a large tract of land in the Ramapo Mountains, which he used as a hunting and fishing retreat. He built a small stone lodge on the shore of Tuxedo Lake, which he used as a base for his outdoor activities.

In the 1880s, Lorillard's son, Griswold Lorillard, inherited the land and decided to transform it into a private community for the wealthy elite. He hired the architect Bruce Price to design a plan for the village, which included large estates, a clubhouse, and a hotel.

The village was designed to be a self-contained community, with its own water supply, sewer system, and fire department. It was also designed to be a place where the wealthy could escape from the noise and pollution of the city and enjoy the natural beauty of the Ramapo Mountains.

The first residents of Tuxedo Park were mostly wealthy New Yorkers who built large estates in the village. Some of the notable residents included the Vanderbilt family, J.P. Morgan, and William Astor. The village also attracted artists and writers, including Mark Twain and Edith Wharton.

Tuxedo Park became famous for its social events, which included polo matches, horse shows, and balls. The Tuxedo Park Club, which was founded in 1886, became the social hub of the village and hosted many of these events.

During the early 20th century, Tuxedo Park continued to attract wealthy residents, but its popularity began to decline after World War II. The village's population declined, and many of the large estates were sold or subdivided.

Today, Tuxedo Park remains a small, exclusive community with a population of around 600 people. The village is still known for its beautiful homes and natural surroundings, and it continues to attract wealthy residents who value privacy and seclusion.