Brownstoner Upstate: Historic Towns in the Hudson Valley
Beacon, N.Y., streetscape. Photo via Wikimedia Commons Raise your hands if you love exploring historic towns. You can’t see it, but we’re all raising our hands along with you. There’s certainly no shortage of them in the Hudson Valley. In fact, if you want to get technical, every town played a part in the state’s rich history,…
Beacon, N.Y., streetscape. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Raise your hands if you love exploring historic towns. You can’t see it, but we’re all raising our hands along with you.
There’s certainly no shortage of them in the Hudson Valley. In fact, if you want to get technical, every town played a part in the state’s rich history, but this week we’ll be exploring a few of those towns that are known for their historic buildings, homes, museums and landmarks — no tri-corner hat or leather breeches required.
Beacon building. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Beacon, Dutchess County: What later became the city of Beacon played a major role in helping fledgling America win the Revolutionary War. From their fortifications at West Point in 1775, the Continental Army saw the fires across the Hudson River in Mt. Beacon signaling that the British were coming, and they were spoiling for a fight.
The invasion was thwarted, thanks to those fiery beacons (hence the name of the city), and today Beacon is still…well, a beacon, attracting artists and creative types from all over with artists’ loft co-ops, galleries and the Dia:Beacon. One such creative type drawn to Beacon was Pete Seeger, who spent seven years living in the city before he passed away and, during that time, became Beacon’s most famous ambassador.
In addition to streets lined with historic architecture, Beacon has a waterfront park popular with the kayaking crowd, indie shops galore and a Dr. Who–themed cafe. If you feel like delving deeper into Beacon’s past, stop by the Beacon Historical Society in the Howland Cultural Center. It’s the brick Gothic Victorian straight out of a fairy tale located at 477 Main Street. You can’t miss it.
Main Street, Hurley. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Hurley, Ulster County: The hamlet of Hurley in central of Ulster County isn’t known for sophisticated cultural offerings or lively nightlife. In fact, it’s a quiet, mostly rural area just outside of Kingston that’s known for its history. Once a Native American settlement, then the headquarters for General George Clinton during the Revolutionary War, Hurley’s Main Street consists of a number of 18th-century stone houses on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Hurley Heritage Society. Photo via Hurley Heritage Society
Hurley Stone House Day makes these houses open to the public, or visitors can pop into the Colonel Jonathan Elmendorf House, a stone house built in the late 1700s that is now home to the Hurley Heritage Society, a local museum that houses a collection of Revolutionary War memorabilia and walking tour maps. The Heritage Society hosts a number of special events, including haunted history tours and lectures.
Since Hurley hamlet is all about history, it doesn’t have much in the way of shops or restaurants (aside from the Hurley Mountain Inn). That’s what Kingston, just a few miles away, is for, and you can get there on bicycle using the Hurley Rail Trail located across Route 209 from the hamlet.
Delaware & Hudson Canal Museum. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
High Falls, Ulster County: If it weren’t for High Falls, there might not have been a Brooklyn Bridge or a Statue of Liberty. Both were constructed using natural cement mined in the hamlet during the 19th century, one of the many fruits of the mini–Industrial Revolution that took place along the Delaware & Hudson (D&H) Canal — a canal, incidentally, that was fashioned almost entirely by hand. Well, hands holding pick-axes, but still.
The 108-mile D&H Canal connected the Hudson River with northeastern Pennsylvania, where barges carrying anthracite coal eventually made their way to NYC, from 1828-98. Most of the canal has been filled, but a handful of sections remain, five of them in High Falls. Visitors can take the Five Lock Walk to see them all, starting at the Delaware & Hudson Canal Museum and following the half-mile path.
D&H Canal lock at High Falls. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
No longer an industrial enclave, High Falls is now a popular weekend destination packed to the gills with good food (currently, there are six restaurants and cafes for a population just over 600), boutiques and art galleries, as well as a weekend flea market and a multitude of weekender rentals. Oh, and just in case you weren’t sure, there’s a waterfall in High Falls and it’s a beaut.
582 County Route 6 Kyserike Road, High Falls: $367,500
This 1940s red farmhouse has been completely renovated. We love the gleaming wood floors, wood stove, French doors and open floor, but we’re particularly keen on the additional two-story barn that’s been refurbished into a studio with an office and two baths. Located on an acre of land just outside of High Falls hamlet, the property looks lush and nicely landscaped. Beds: 3. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 1,680. Lot Size: .9 acres. Est. Taxes: $4,109. 582 County Route 6 Kyserike Road, High Falls (Coldwell Banker Village Green) GMAP.
82-84 Glenford Wittenberg Road, Hurley: $169,000
Here’s a two-fer in Hurley. The property, which is in the town of Hurley about 15 minutes from Hurley hamlet, includes a main farmhouse plus a separate cottage. Here’s the rub: The cottage needs work. In fact, the listing says it may need rehab financing. No pictures of the cottage, so we’ll take their word for it. All in all, for the price, a big four-bedroom farmhouse with a guest house is a good deal. Sits on a half-acre close to the Ashokan Reservoir and includes seasonal views. Beds: 4. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 1,841. Lot Size: .51 acres. Est. Taxes: $4,763. 82-84 Glenford Wittenberg Road, Hurley (Westwood Metes & Bounds) GMAP.Â
32 South Street, Beacon: $289,900
When in Beacon, why not live close to the action? That’s part of what we like about this cedar-shake cottage in the heart of Beacon city. Just off Main Street, it’s walking distance to just about everything, and the Metro-North station is about five minutes away by car. What else do we love? The bamboo floors, brick fireplace, granite countertops in the kitchen and the fact that it was renovated within the past 10 years. But mostly it’s all about the bamboo floors. Beds: 2. Baths: 1.5. Square Feet: 1,186. Lot Size: .07 acres. Est. Taxes: $6,861. 32 South Street, Beacon (Realty Executive W.S.R.) GMAP.
Just to brag about Hurley a little, note that the Hurley Mountain Inn is the center of some lively night life. There is a charming Hurley Country store and two antique shops. Annual events include the Stone House Day in July and the Corn Festival in August. On weekends through October visitors may visit the new farming history exhibit — “Hurley Harvest: By Hand and By Horse”. And once a month there is a guided walking tour of the Dutch colonial homes on Main St. A special event this year is an auction of the Hurley Roosters — local artists’ renditions of the iconic Hurley rooster weather vane. It’s happening in Hurley this year! For more information on these events, go to the website http://www.hurleyheritagesociety.org
Apologies for being pedantic here, but Pete Seeger lived in (well, technically outside of) Beacon for about 65 years, not 7.
All fixed!