Market Street Row facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Market Street Row
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Looking north along Market, 2008.
Mott-Van Kleeck House is at center. |
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| Location | Poughkeepsie, NY |
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| Built | ca. 1780 (Mott-Van Kleeck House), 1880s |
| Architectural style | Federal, mixed late Victorian |
| MPS | Poughkeepsie MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001149 |
| Added to NRHP | 1982 |
The Market Street Row is a group of three historic houses in Poughkeepsie, New York, United States. You can find them on the west side of Market Street, just south of Hulme Park. They are also right across from the Adriance Memorial Library. These buildings are an important part of downtown Poughkeepsie's history.
One of the most special buildings in the row is the Mott-Van Kleeck House. It's the oldest house in the city built with a wooden frame. The other two houses were built much later, in the 1880s. Together, these buildings show how architecture changed over time in Poughkeepsie.
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A Glimpse into Market Street's Past
Market Street itself has a very long history. It was created way back in 1709! A royal decree made it part of the King's Highway. After the American Revolution, this road became known as the Albany Post Road. It was a major route for travelers.
The Mott-Van Kleeck House: A Pioneer Home
The Mott-Van Kleeck House was built around 1780. It was constructed by a family member of the Van Kleecks, who were one of Poughkeepsie's oldest families. This house shows an early version of the Federal style of architecture. Later, more fancy decorations were added to it. For many years, this house was like a welcome sign for people arriving in Poughkeepsie.
Victorian Neighbors Join the Row
Much later, around 1880, the two other houses next to the Mott-Van Kleeck House were built. These homes were made of brick and had two-and-a-half stories. They featured pointy slate roofs and cool iron decorations. Their porches were built in a style called "Shingle-style."
At the same time, a tower was added to the Mott-Van Kleeck House. It was designed to match the colors and materials of the newer buildings. This helped all three houses look good together.
Market Street in the Modern Era
As cars became popular, Market Street became part of US 9. This was the main road for drivers traveling between New York City and Albany. However, after the New York State Thruway was built, Route 9 was moved to a new expressway.
Saving History: Preservation Efforts
By the 1970s, the Market Street Row houses started to look run down. They were even in danger of being torn down during a city improvement project called "urban renewal." Luckily, people decided to save them instead!
These historic buildings were preserved and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means they are recognized as important historical sites.
New Life for Old Buildings
Today, the Market Street Row buildings have been given a new purpose. They have been changed into commercial offices. This is called "adaptive reuse," where old buildings are updated for modern uses. Other nearby historic buildings, like the Hasbrouck House and the Amrita Club, have also been redeveloped in similar ways.
