Ossining Vacations, Ossining Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Ossining Vacation Guide

Located on the banks of the Hudson River about 30 miles north of Manhattan, Ossining is a village filled beautiful scenery and great history. The land was purchased in 1685 from the Sint Sinck Indians (part of the Mohegan Tribe) by Frederick Philipse and in 1813 the Village of Sing Sing was incorporated. In 1901, the town changed its name to Ossining in an attempt to distance itself from the reputation of Sing Sing Prison which was constructed on the village's waterfront during the 1820's.

Today, Ossining is home to approximately 37,000 residents. It is home to the notorious Sing Sing Prison, home of the 1st electric chair and responsible for coining the phrase "sent up the river", referring to being sent to jail (up the river) from NYC.

The Old Croton Aqueduct passes through Ossining. During the mid 1800's, the aqueduct brought much needed fresh water from the Croton Reservoir to Manhattan, helping to fuel the city's tremendous growth. Ossining is also home to the worldwide Maryknoll Catholic missions.