Walter Brewster founded the Village in 1848 motivated by nearby mines, an abundant water supply, and the railroad's plans to pass through the area. The railroad helped to foster two local industries, iron mining and the dairy industry. By the 1870's, Brewster was a thriving community, due in large part to the success of these local industries. The transit-oriented theme originated by Walter Brewster in 1848 is still prominent today, as the Brewster Train Station, on MetroNorth railway, is one of the focal points of the Village.

At the turn of the century, construction of the Croton Reservoir System had significant repercussions on Brewster’s economy and landscape. The best farmlands were flooded, while other properties were condemned to protect the purity of the watershed. Today, growth restrictions and other regulations related to the reservoir system continue to have an impact on planning. 130 years after the watershed challenged the survival of the Village, it is its existence today that is now defining the regional importance of the Village of Brewster.

Just a half square mile in area, the Village of Brewster is located approximately 50 miles north of New York City.

The Village of Brewster has suffered from a phenomenon where traditional, main street-centric community life has shifted to a highway-based existence. As a result, there has been tremendous residential growth surrounding the Village from 1968 until the present, and particularly over the last decade. Putnam is currently the fastest growing county in New York State.

Residential acreage in the Town of Southeast increased by 125% between 1968 and 1991, while the population increased by only 15% over the same period. Residential acreage grew an additional 79% between 1993 and 2000.




Brewster became an incorporated Village in 1894. Given this legal status, the Village of Brewster is considered a political subdivision of the State of New York. Brewster is not an agent of the Town despite existing completely within the boundaries of the Town of Southeast. Like the Town and Putnam County, Brewster is a municipal corporation: it is an autonomous local government that has been granted broad "home rule" powers by New York State that allow it to regulate the quality of life of its community and to provide direct services to the people.



In 1997, the Memorandum of Agreement contract was signed between New York City and the Croton and Catskill/Delaware watershed communities to ensure the long-term protection of New York City drinking water. In 2000, the Village entered into a contract with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to construct a new wastewater treatment plant and sewage system to replace antiquated and failing infrastructure. The Village recieved $25 million for the redevelopment.

By agreeing to the contract, Brewster assumed responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant, which also represents an opportunity to improve quality of life simultaneously with infrastructure improvements.




Brewster’s demographics set the Village of Brewster apart from the surrounding areas. Within the Village, there is a higher foreign-born population, a lower median income, and a significantly higher portion of renter-occupied housing. Additionally, within the past decade, a large number of Hispanics have immigrated to the Village, accounting for nearly 1/3 of the population. These findings suggest that the specific needs of the Brewster population differ greatly from its surrounding context.
 

Residential use is by far the largest land use within the Village. About 34% of the total square footage within the Village contains either single- or multi-family residential uses. This is followed by open space, which accounts for 19% of the total square footage.