Preservation 2022

The organic development of hamlets is particular to the mid-Hudson region. By contrast, early New England towns were settled by a homogenous group that organized a central green with "the" church, and roads radiated out in a planned fashion. Locally, hamlet's emerged by the early 19th century usually at a stream that accommodated mills, and a core set of skills and services like blacksmithing, and a post office. Towns like Clinton and Milan never developed a town center. An important part of Dutchess County worthy of preservation, in addition to the Great Estates, in addition to the greater number of smaller buildings, is the underlying landscape unique to the area.

DCHS Trustee David Turner pulls from his expansive collection to feature views into our past. Each post made during the month of May 2022, historic preservation month, will be curated here. Below you will find a report from our 1919 Yearbook, it is a list of early hamlets, many of which do not exist today.

Hover over image for description, click to enlarge:

D.M. Vandewater's Store, Verbank Station, Town of Union Vale, NY c1909. Verbank Station, more commonly known as Verbank Village was a small hamlet just west of the larger hamlet of Verbank. Vanderwater's Store, shown here, specialized in faming equipment, seeds, and fresh vegetables. Located near the small freight station in the hamlet, the store was able to furnish the needs of the many farmers in the area, as they passed by his store on the way to shipping their produce to the city. This building still stands, as a private residence, on Verbank Village Road.

DCHS YB 1919 Original Settlements

Whaley Lake Inn, Town of Pawling, NY. Perched on a hill, the Whaley Lake Inn had a commanding view of Whaley Lake and surrounding hills. The popular hotel still stands today as a private residence on the west side of the lake along Route 292.
Central New England Railroad Engine passing the Glenham Railroad Station, Town of Fishkill, NY. Although the station has long disappeared, the tracks still remain. This view, looking from Old Town Road to Washington Avenue, shows the train heading east away from Beacon and towards Fishkill and further on to Brewster.
The Largest Tree in the County, Wassaic, Town of Amenia, NY c1908. The largest tree in Dutchess County today is the Dover Oak, located where the Appalachian Trail crosses West Dover Road in the town of Pawling.
Ackert Hook, Town of Rhinebeck NY c1908. I believe this was the one room school house for the hamlet. This building, now a private residence, still stands at the intersection of Ackert Hook Road and Primrose Road. In fact, the large tree at the far left of the photo, still stands proudly at that corner today as well.
The New Bridge at Swartoutville, Hopewell Junction, NY c1910. Today this is Route 82 just east of the intersection of All Angels Hill Road. Showing the bridge just after its completion, area residents and workmen line the span, admiring the new addition to the hamlet.
General Store and Post Office in Bulls Head, Town of Clinton, NY c1910. Located at the intersection of Old Bulls Head Road and Pumpkin Lane, this building was once the center of the small community of Bulls Head. The old store still stands today and is now a nicely kept private home.
Red Oaks Mill Road from New Hackensack Road, Town of Lagrange NY c1906. On the left you can see the old mill named after the surrounding red oak trees. The house on the right still stands but is now vacant.
View up the Oblong Valley from Amenia Union, NY c1908. This vintage postcard looks north, showing the farmland along Leedsville Road. The church on the bottom left still stands as a private residence on Amenia Union Road, but without its steeple.