Brownstoner Upstate: Garrison Grandeur

Gorgeous, green Garrison. The Putnam County hamlet is about a tony as it gets in upstate New York, and it’s no wonder. In 2012, the American Community Survey ranked Putnam County the seventh most affluent county in the U.S. based on median income, and Garrison is the seat of plenty of that affluence. To discourage traffic, the roads aren’t paved, beautiful estates dot the land, and even the most modest of homes are way outside of our price range. But, if you can afford it (and the property taxes, which are kind of scary), Garrison is a lovely place to settle down. The schools are good, and it’s a stop on the Metro-North. Garrison is located in the town of Philipstown, approximately one hour, 15 minutes from Brooklyn.

Here’s a little modern serenity in the country, a whole lotta country, in fact, in the form of a five-acre lot. It just wouldn’t be a contemporary without a wall of windows, and sure enough, this one’s got it. We like that there are fireplaces in the living room and library, but we’re not nuts about the very ’80s carpeted staircase in the middle of the main living space. What we’re really loving, though, is the landscaping. The little footbridge over the fern-bordered stream is the perfect touch. Beds: 3. Baths: 3.5. Square Feet: 3,559. Lot Size: 5 acres. Est. Taxes: $16,274. 

342 Avery Road, Garrison (Robert McCaffrey) GMAP

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This property is not an old barn, but the interior is reminiscent of one, and we happen to like that particular look. It’s rustic without being ramshackle, and those high ceilings offer such a feeling of spaciousness. The additional 700 square foot guest house is pretty sweet, too. Back stilted deck looks like it will provide plenty of room for entertaining. Lot size is six acres and listing says it’s creek-side. Beds: 5. Baths: 3.5. Square Feet: 3,800. Lot Size: 6 acres. Est. Taxes: $16,660.

992-996 Old Albany Post Road, Garrison (Agnes A Donohoe Preusser Inc.) GMAP

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Feel like ditching your car? You could do it with this Dutch Colonial-style house, which is walking distance to the Garrison train station, schools, churches, the library, and the Garrison Arts Center at Garrison Landing. Lot size is a full acre, which is great for being right in the hamlet. Interior looks just fine and well-maintained, but a half-a-million still seems a bit on the steep side for us. At least the taxes stay in the four-figure range. Beds: 2. Baths: 1.5. Square Feet: 1956. Lot Size: .92 acres. Est. Taxes: $8281.

32 Grassi Lane, Garrison (Robert McCaffrey) GMAP

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Here’s an honest to goodness midcentury modern, built in 1956 and renovated in 2013. Interesting choice to add old-fashioned barn doors to this otherwise quite contemporary design, but we respect bold design decisions. Speaking of design decisions, notice the trees “growing” up through the first floor to the second? We don’t think they’re actually alive. Lots of stone accents inside, and outside there is an in-ground pool with a waterfall. Located across the road from Boscobel and Constitution Marsh, both great places to explore. Beds: 4. Baths: 3.5. Square Feet: 2874. Lot Size: 2 acres. Est. Taxes: $14,262.

1524 Route 9D, Garrison (Agnes A Donohoe Preusser Inc) GMAP