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Architecture and Real Estate In Cold Spring-on-Hudson
Cold
Spring-on-Hudson, NY -- "From castles to cottages" characterizes the range
of diverse architectural styles found in and around the scenic riverfront
village of Cold Spring-on-Hudson. Distinctive homes, shops, restaurants,
real estate offices, churches and inns date mostly from the 19th
-Century, such as the more than 200 historic buildings found in the Main
Street area landmark district. But some pre-date the Revolutionary War,
while others are post-War modern or contemporary. Even Hollywood added its
special touches in 1967.
Before
the American Revolution, Dutch and English Colonial styles predominated in
the Hudson Valley. Then, the
Federal Style,
inspired by the new federal government, was popularized by the first
generation of professional, European-trained architects. It was shortly
followed by
Greek Revival,
which could be called the first truly "American" style. The
Gothic Revival Style
took its decorative cues from Medieval European cathedrals and castles.
In the
mid-1800s, wealthy New York businessmen began to buy property in the Valley
for summer and weekend retreats. The railroad even made commuting into the
city a realistic possibility. Politicians, bankers and railroad magnates
began to make their marks here. Financier J. Pierpont Morgan, New York
Governor and U.S. Senator Hamilton Fish, National City Bank president James
Stillman, architect Richard Upjohn and Union Pacific railroad president
Edward H. Harriman were just a few of the area's new inhabitants
At this
same time, architectural styles became more eclectic. Italian villas
inspired the
Italianate Style,
the French Second Empire inspired the
Second Empire Style,
and English Tudor cottages inspired the
Queen Anne Style.
Our country's centennial caused a look at the past and revived details from
earlier Georgian and Federal styles, creating the
Colonial Revival or
Georgian Revival Style. The
Bungalow Style,
with its front porch for a more casual lifestyle, became a popular
early-20th century house style.
These
styles live on in Cold Spring and Garrison. Some are privately owned and may
only be viewed by respectful passersby; others are open to the public (noted
in boldface). One of the oldest structures in the area today is the 18th
Century Colonial inn, the Bird and Bottle Inn on the Old
Albany Post Road in nearby Garrison. It was built in 1761 as Warren's
Tavern. One of the nation's most significant Federal style homes is
Boscobel Restoration, begun in 1804 by States Morris Dyckman and
completed by his widow in 1808. The elegantly restored mansion now houses an
important museum of decorative arts. It was rescued, moved to its present
site and opened to the public in 1961.
An
example of Greek Revival is the 1850 home, Woodlawn, now the Hastings
Center, on Route 9D, built by Richard Upjohn. Gothic Revival buildings
include the Cold Spring Cemetery Gatehouse on Peekskill Road;
Plumbush Inn, built in 1865 by George Harney, and the 1867 Hurst-Pierrepont
Estate by Alexander Jackson Davis.
Fair
Lawn, built by Hudson Valley School painter Thomas Rossiter in 1860, is an
excellent example of Italianate design. The Lane Gate home built for the
Rev. Walter Thompson in 1883 reflects the Tudor Revival design. The 15
buildings in the landmark district of Garrison's Landing reflect late
Victorian style, including the home that now houses the Garrison Art
Center. These buildings got new gingerbread in 1967, courtesy of
Hollywood, when they portrayed the town of Yonkers in the film, Hello
Dolly, with Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau.
Life in Cold Spring in the 19th Century revolved around the busy
West Point Foundry, established in 1818. Its founder donated a site on bluff
overlooking the Hudson River to build a Catholic Church, now known as
Chapel of Our Lady Restoration,
for iron workers. He commissioned a 16-year old architect, Thomas Kellah
Wharton, to design the chapel. In 1834, the Greek Revival-style building was
dedicated as St. Mary's, the first Catholic Church north of Manhattan. In
1867, the chapel was enlarged and two Victorian steeples were added to the
original structure. In 1906, the parish erected a new church, Our Lady of
Loretto, to replace the smaller chapel it had outgrown. The abandoned chapel
fell into disrepair and in the 1930's was nearly destroyed by a fire.
However, in 1966, a restoration effort began and in 1977, restored to its
original classical style, was rededicated as a non-denominational chapel
that is now used for weddings, musical concerts and ecumenical services.
A "real" Scottish castle, now in ruins, dominates the riverscape from its
perch on Pollepel Island to the north of Cold Spring. Built in 1901 by David
Bannerman to house his family business' surplus of military goods and serve
as a summer residence, Bannerman's Castle was eventually donated to the
Taconic
Parks Commission in 1967. Seven years later, the castle was destroyed by
fire. Now it’s a fanciful landmark for boaters and a popular kayak tour
destination.
Another
unique location is Manitoga/The Russel Wright Design Center,
home to Dragon Rock, its adjacent studio and acres of cultivated landscape
that preserve the legacy of noted industrial designer and environmentalist
Russel Wright. The innovative design includes roof gardens on both the home
and studio, virtually unknown 50 years ago but now a major component of
environmentally friendly design, known as the Green Roof. The site is listed
on the National Register of Historic Places as an outstanding example of the
Modern architectural style and is undergoing an extensive, sensitive
restoration program.
Andrew
Jackson Downing, author of The Architecture of Country Homes which
was published in 1850, asked, "What, then, are the proper characteristics of
a rural residence?" Several Cold Spring area Realtors have the answer for
those seeking a country home or vacation rental in today's world.
Houlihan Lawrence Inc., the largest Realtor in Westchester and
Putnam Counties and the exclusive affiliate of Sotheby's International
Realty, specializes in unique homes and luxury properties. Limited
Editions Realty, with more than 40 years of combined experience in
Hudson Valley real estate, offers highly personalized service for those who
want to find just the right property. A.D. Preusser, Inc. Real Estate
has specialized in country real estate for four generations and is uniquely
qualified to assist discerning buyers find private, luxurious rural retreats
that suit their personal lifestyles, and offer the charm and simplicity of
the past with the accessibility and convenience of today.
Cold
Spring-on-Hudson is an enjoyable getaway year-round. One of the earliest
visitors is said to have been George Washington, who, according to local
legend, appreciated a drink from the area's "cold spring." The aptly named
village is now home to a wide variety of unique shops, including more than
20 restaurants that serve everything from gourmet picnic fare, homemade
fudge and traditional burgers to regional French, Italian, and New
American cuisine. Several charming inns offer lodging, while many other
types of accommodations can be found in nearby communities.
Easily
accessible by car, train or plane, Cold Spring-on-Hudson is just one hour
north of New York City and minutes from major thoroughfares, such as the New
York State Thruway, Palisades Interstate Parkway, Taconic State Parkway and
Interstate 84. Metro-North Railroad's scenic Hudson Line offers frequent
train service from New York's Grand Central Terminal and the Cold Spring
train platform is a short stroll to Main Street. Stewart International
Airport (SWF), in nearby Newburgh, offers the closest air travel options
with service by American Airlines, ASA/Delta Connection, Comair, I-Jet,
Southeast Airlines, US Airways Express and Vacation Express. Rental cars are
available at the airport.
For more
information on Cold Spring-on-Hudson and "Main Street America", please
visit www.coldspringonhudson.com or call toll-free,
1-800-470-4854.
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