Suffern, incorporated in 1896, is the gateway to the Ramapo Pass. Thirty miles from New York City, the village is at the confluence of several major interstate highways and the Ramapo River. By the 1840s, this rural farming community was transformed with the arrival of the Erie Railroad. Trainmen, tradesmen, ironworkers, and businessmen all found Suffern to be an ideal location for their modest homes. The region quickly gained a reputation as a pleasant summer resort and with that came the influx of wealthy New Yorkers who built summer estates. A thriving business district developed around the rail depot, and an official village government was established. Through it all, Suffern's main street has remained a vital hub in the community. Its residents, both past and present, have contributed to make this community of friendly neighbors what it is today.