Indian Paths in the Great Metropolis
This was the district which later became the township of Westchester, the refuge of those fleeing from religious persecution in New England. The native stations occupied several advantageous positions within Westchester township, and one of them, which was situated on the old Bear Swamp road (13), was maintained by the dwindling native population as late as 1782. On crossing Bronx river at Acqueegenom in Bronx Park, near Pelham parkway, the path headed directly for that settlement, following the line of the Bear Swamp road, which has been maintained to our times.
The irregular course of this old roadway can still be traced as it proceeds from the White Plains road in a southeasterly direction. The native village (13) was situated on a sheltered slope of land on the east side of Downings brook, a small tributary of Bronx river, which has its source in the Bear swamp.