Garfield Place Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Garfield Place Historic District
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Houses on Garfield Place, 2008
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Poughkeepsie, NY |
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| Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Built | mid-19th century |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000832 |
| Added to NRHP | 1972 |
The Garfield Place Historic District is a special neighborhood in southern Poughkeepsie, New York, United States. It's about 20 acres (8.1 ha) big. This area includes all the homes on Garfield Place, which is two blocks long. It also covers some parts of nearby Montgomery and Barclay streets. In 1972, this district was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means its buildings and history are important to the country.
Contents
How Garfield Place Began
Long ago, the land where Garfield Place is now was part of a larger area. It was called the "Little Commons" and belonged to the van Kleeck family. This was back in 1799, when Poughkeepsie became a village.
In the early 1800s, Poughkeepsie grew quickly. A man named Bronson French bought some of the Little Commons land. In 1836, he sold it to four local businessmen. They thought this land would be perfect for fancy homes. It was close to the village center and on a hill. This hill offered amazing views of the Hudson River.
Planning the Neighborhood
The businessmen carefully measured the land. Then, they divided it into smaller pieces called building lots. They held an auction to sell these lots. On average, each square foot sold for about $25.
However, a big economic problem called the Panic of 1837 happened soon after. This slowed down building plans. No new homes were started until the early 1850s. Joseph Corlies, one of the businessmen, decided to build his own house first. His home at 28 Garfield showed others what kind of beautiful houses could be built there.
A New Name and Growth
More people started to build homes on the street. Advertisements for the area highlighted how quiet the streets were. They also mentioned the great river views and how close it was to downtown Poughkeepsie. By the 1880s, most of the street was built up.
In 1881, the street's name was changed. It became Garfield Place to honor President James A. Garfield. He had recently been assassinated. The very last building lots were developed in the early 1900s.
Protecting History
The houses on Garfield Place remained very popular. They were some of the most desired addresses in the city. Later, a building that was once a carriage house (for horses and carriages) was changed. It became another home at 30 Garfield.
Garfield Place was one of Poughkeepsie's first historic districts. Its success inspired people on nearby Academy Street to seek the same status in 1982. Today, the Garfield Place Historic District has special rules about how buildings can look. These rules are put in place by the city's Historic District and Landmark Preservation Commission.
