Lillian Nordica and Croton's Artistic Heritage — by Marc Cheshire, Village Historian

Source: https://www.crotonhistoricalsociety.org/blog/2025/8/7/lillian-nordica-and-crotons-artistic-heritage

Lillian Nordica never actually lived in Croton despite being honored on commemorative banners along Maple Street. Between 1907 and 1909, she purchased approximately 40 acres in the Harmon development. Developer Clifford Harmon named Nordica Drive, Nordica Boulevard, and Nordica Hill in her honor. Her actual residence was Villa Amanda at 65 Field Terrace in Irvington's Ardsley-on-Hudson section. A Brooklyn Daily Eagle reporter met Nordica at Harmon's Nikko Inn in June 1907. She described how she had "toured the country about the Hudson for hundreds of miles in her automobile" before choosing Harmon for her "American Bayreuth" opera school. Wood, Harmon & Co. capitalized on her involvement, distributing materials showing the "site selected by Madame Nordica for the 'American Bayreuth.'" Contralto Katherine Fisk purchased nearby property. Only the Administration Building materialized from her grand plans. Designed by architect W.H.