At the beginning of the 20th century, John E. Andrus was one of the wealthiest men in America. Yet he was known as the millionaire straphanger for his indifference to fancy externals. "Straphanger" refers to the fact that he would ride the streetcars to work - where the riders held on to the the straps for stability. He was an extremely charitable man, and in 1931 he set aside 45% of his fortune to endow an orphanage and home for the elderly. His intent he said was "to give opportunity for youth and rest for the aged". In 1934 he established the Julia Dyckman Andrus Home for Children, and in 1953 his daughter, Helen Benedict, built Andrus on Hudson as a memorial to her father. It was to be "a home where elderly men and women may find security, comfort, considerate care and release from responsibility".

Andrus on Hudson was a state of the art facility when created, and it retains that stature today. All rooms at Andrus are private accommodations. The facility has a beautiful dining room, libraries, art room, game room, auditorium for performances and coming soon - an on site Chapel. The top floor of the building is a breathtaking solarium with views up and down the Hudson river. Residents love to visit with family in this room. Andrus evokes a warm atmosphere of home and community.