Beacon is a city located on the Hudson River in Dutchess County, New York, United States.

The Rombout Patent was partitioned in 1706, and Brett received and maintained approximately 28,000 acres (110 km2) along the Vis Kill.

Brett sold some of her land to other settlers, often retaining the right to build a flour mill on the property.

In 1748 Brett and a group of other settlers agreed to build the Frankfort Store House near the water at the "Lower Landing" north of Dennings Point.

John Peter DeWint, owner of 2,000 acres at Fishkill Landing, helped further raise its status as a port by building the Long Dock in 1815.

The city's name came from signal fires lit atop nearby Mount Beacon.

The Matteawan Manufacturing Company was the first in the area devoted to hat production, employing 500 workers.

This resulted in a severe and ongoing economic downturn that lasted from about 1970 to the late 1990s, during which almost 80 percent of the city's commercial business spaces and factories were vacant.

Located on the eastern shore of the Hudson River, Beacon is noted for its proximity to numerous historic sites and large cities.

Beacon is just 20 minutes south of the Hudson Valley Region capital city, Poughkeepsie.

A grist and saw-mill were subsequently built on the site but torn down by Lewis Tompkins in 1878 when the Hat Works were erected.

There was a grist mill at Groveville from a very early day, owned about 1820 by Samuel Upton, a Quaker.

Upton also erected on the opposite side of the race a stone building which he used as a fulling mill.

Sometime after 1840, the property, was sold it to the Glenham Co., who converted it to a woolen mill, and did carding, spinning and weaving.

[10] The first several blocks of Main Street east of its junction with South Avenue constitutes the Lower Main Street Historic District and features many small businesses located in vintage Italianate-style buildings.

The Government section of the city's website includes information about current elected and appointed officials.

[25] The interior includes the “Common Clay” relief sculpture mural, a community art project conceived by Mika Seeger; a colorful Main Street mural painted by Rick Price; and a South Cedar Street literary mural in memory of artist Audrey Chibbaro by Beacon High School art students.

All calls for fire or medical assistance are dispatched by the County Department of Emergency Response.

Commuter service to New York City is available via the Beacon Train Station on the Hudson Line, served by Metro-North Railroad.

From 1996 until 2022, the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society worked to reopen the attraction, but ultimately could not raise enough funds for the project.

[27] Between August 27, 1892, and April 20, 1930, an electric streetcar system connected Beacon with the Village of Fishkill, NY.

In the nearby Town of Wappinger, the Dutchess County Airport services local commuter flights.

[37] The purpose of the club is "to promote and encourage interest in sound ecological practices affecting the Hudson River and its environs;" "to organize and arrange associated recreational activities such as picnics, crafts, festivals and other community gatherings on the waterfront of Beacon, New York;" and "to promote interest in sailing and foster good fellowship and safety in boating: to encourage the sport of boating: to promote the science of seamanship and navigation, and provide access to information and training in the skills and techniques thereof: and to provide and maintain a suitable clubhouse and anchorage for the use and recreation of its members.

[40] BCAN's first campaign focused on banning natural gas in new constructions in Beacon, NY.

[41] BCAN crafted this campaign in the fall of 2022 and organized action through canvassing, public events, educational outreach, partnership with local environmental advocacy groups, and civic engagement with Beacon City Council.

On March 20, 2023,[42] the Beacon City Council unanimously voted in favor of passing Local Law No.

With passing this local law, Beacon became the third municipality in New York State to ban fossil fuels in new buildings, and the first in the Hudson Valley.

Beacon High School has a Fitness Center and 25-yard swimming pool run by the Athletic Department that is open to the public for membership.