Tag Archives: Poughkeepsie

Upper Landing, Poughkeepsie, NY

According to a plaque on the gate of the property, Upper Landing has been used for over 200 years. The site is located at the mouth of the Fallkill River, where it meets the Hudson River. The site was first used as a mill at the Fallkill River by Dutch settlers circa 1700. Soon after, it was used as a working commercial dock. The Hoffman House was built circa 1740-1780 as a residence, and by 1800 became home to the families that used Upper Landing for mercantile pursuits during the Industrial Revolution. The Reynolds House circa 1820 served dual purposes as a residence and general store at the hub of shipping and passenger services.

This area has recently been re-done as a public park.  The structures have been preserved.  My photos are from before the public park was created.

Map:  Location on Bing Maps

Farm at 53 Salt Point Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY

I had the opportunity to photograph a disused farm property at 53 Salt Point Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY.  It stands out among the modern development around it.  A railroad once passed along the northern border of the property, but the railroad bed has now been converted to a rail trail.  I was excited when the owner of the property showed me an old photograph that showed a train traveling along the railroad, and also an old photograph showing a house that formerly sat at the top of a hill on the property.

The owner told me an interesting story about the house at the top of the hill:  In the depression era (and prohibition era), the house was rented out to some gentlemen.  One day the people left and the property owners went into the house to see what its condition was.  They discovered that the renters had removed most of the floors and ceilings of the three-story house so as to place a gigantic distillery that was taller than two stories.  Needless to say, the house was no longer rentable and eventually it burned down.  Now only stone remains are left.

Map: Location on Bing Maps Bird’s Eye view

Abraham Fort Homestead, Route 9, Poughkeepsie, NY

The land on which the homestead sits was sold in 1759 by Christopher VanBommel to Johannes Abraham Fort. The house was built either by the Van Bommel Family between 1742 and 1759, or by Johannes A. Fort about 1760. Johannes Fort’s son Major Abraham (1750-1822) was locally prominent in the Revolutionary War and also lived in the house. The land was a working farm and included orchards and gardens. The Fort Family is buried in the Fort Family Burial Ground located across Route 9.

Several others have owned the house since the Forts, including IBM. Find more information about the preservation of this structure here.

Map: Location on Bing Maps Bird’s Eye view

11 Collegeview Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY

This structure was originally residential and then converted to have a commercial bottom floor.  The filed map at the Dutchess County Clerk is dated July 26, 1900 that shows the area along Collegeview Avenue subdivided, so that is likely the approximate time that the building was constructed.  The building was demolished in November 2013.

Map:  Location in Google Maps