In 1661, a merchant named John Richbell purchased some land from the Siwanoy Indians -- with a collection of tools, kettles, clothing, and wampum (shell beads sometimes used for money or for making decorative belts). The area purchased for these sundry items was Mamaroneck, a Native American name that means, "the place where sweet waters fall into the sea."
Today, the bayside community of Mamaroneck provides a picturesque town nestled in the trees and wrapped around harbor-side parks and yacht clubs. The absurdly quaint mixed-use downtown area features a variety of locally-owned shops and restaurants in historic buildings along wide, tree-lined sidewalks. To be in the heart of this district, look for apartments along Mamaroneck Avenue and East Boston Post Road.
Mamaroneck is located about 22 miles northeast of Manhattan.