Main at Garden & Liberty Streets
Poughkeepsie’s intersection at Main Street of Garden Street to the north, and Liberty Street to the south, appears to have been an interesting and rich area. John Bolding, the self-emancipated enslaved man who was kidnapped by federal authorities and returned to the south, only to obtain his freedom through the collective action of Poughkeepsie residents, worked as a tailor on Liberty Street. Garden Street was one of the several locations of the world class daguerrist Samuel L. Walker. The 1870 fire that consumed several buildings at the north east corner of Main and Garden Streets became the location of Poughkeepsie’s only remaining cast iron building. Here we share a few images of the streets in the 19th century from DCHS Collections. ~ Bill Jeffway
Or take yourself through slideshow:
1834 map of Poughkeepsie.
1834 map of Poughkeepsie with Liberty and Garden Streets called out.
The earliest known photograph of Poughkeepsie, from the entrance of Garden Street looking east to shops on the south side of Main.
The earliest known photograph of Poughkeepsie, from the entrance of Garden Street looking east to shops on the south side of Main.
The north west corner of Main and Garden Streets.
Looking west on Main Street, standing at the entrance of Liberty Street, with the entrance to Garden Street visible at the right.
Looking north at the beginning of Garden Street at Main Street.
From Garden Street looking northwest to shops on the south side of Main Street.
Looking south from Garden Street at shops on the south side of Main Street.
The devastating fire at the north east corner of Main Street at Garden Street.
The newly constructed Cast Iron building in the sprint of 1872.
The Cast Iron building during the famous "Blizzard of 1888."
Looking north up Garden Street from Main Street.
West side of Garden Street near Main Street.
Looking north up Liberty Street toward Cast Iron building.
North side of Liberty Street
North side of Liberty Street.