City of Beacon   Distance to NYC: 74 miles Area: 4.78 square miles   Beacon was named in honor of the signal fires patriots lit atop Mount Beacon to warn the Continental Army of British troop movements.   Beacon, formed as a city in 1913, has a rich historical river front history. During the Industrial Revolution, Beacon hummed with activity of mills and factories and the Mount Beacon Incline Railway was one of the world's steepest when it opened in 1902. For Revolutionary War buffs, the area offers re-enactments and historical tours such as those at Mount Gulian Homestead built in the 1730's. Madame Brett Homestead, the oldest house in Dutchess County was built in 1709.   Beacon is home to growing arts institutes such as the Dia Arts Center, regional galleries and outdoor sculpture gardens. Tallix, a world class art foundry and sculpture park, offers workshop tours.   Nestled along the scenic Hudson River, Beacon offers it all, from hiking to paddling the shoreline & is convenient to I-84 and the Newburgh Beacon Bridge for commuting.   Beacon's Harbor boasts a public boat launch and a nearby river-front park offering picnicking and play areas. Part of the Hudson River Greenway working with the Rivers and Estuaries Center at Dennings Point, the center offers scenic views of the Hudson, walking trails and prime bird watching sites. The center has a dock to host research vessels.   St. Francis Hospital, based in Poughkeepsie has a 100 bed facility in Beacon.   Educational Facilities The Beacon School District provides education from Pre-k through 12th grade and has a newly completed High School facility.   Recreational Facilities The recreation department provides safe and positive recreation programs to the residents of Beacon. Sports programs available include volleyball, softball, baseball, basketball, jazzercize, football, soccer, tennis and karate. The Beacon Community Center Program for Teens offers Friday evening dances, movies and use of the gym. A 6-week summer program is held at Memorial Park & Green Street Park. The Center has senior activities.   Houses of Worship Baha'l Faith, Bible Fellowship Church, Beacon Hebrew Alliance, Beacon Christian Assembly, Beacon Light Tabernacle Seventh Day Adventist, Beulah Baptist Church, Christ Church, United Methodist, Everlasting Covenant Church, Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, First Presbyterian Church, By God's Grace Ministries, Inglesia Cristiana Tabernaculo De Cristo, Masjid Ar-Rashid-Islamic Teaching Center, Reformed Church of Beacon, Salvation Army Church, Springfield Baptist Church, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, St. James A&M Zion Methodist Church, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, St. Lukes Episcopal, and Star of Bethlehem Church.