National Register of Historic Places listings in Peekskill, New York facts for kids
Peekskill, New York, is a city with a rich history, and many of its important buildings and areas are recognized as special. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This is a list kept by the United States government to honor places that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's worth protecting and learning about.
You can find out more about other historic places in the county by looking at the National Register of Historic Places listings in Westchester County, New York.
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Discovering Peekskill's Historic Treasures
Peekskill has many fascinating places that tell stories from the past. These include old schools, grand homes, busy downtown areas, and even a train station where a famous president once spoke!
Important Buildings and Homes
Peekskill is home to several individual buildings that have been recognized for their historical importance.
Ford Administration Building
The Ford Administration Building at 1031 Elm Street is a significant structure. It was added to the National Register in 2006. Today, this building serves as the main office for the Peekskill City School District. It's a great example of how old buildings can be given new life and continue to be useful for the community.
Thomas Nelson House
The Thomas Nelson House is located at 1231 Seymour Lane. This historic home was added to the National Register in 2001. It stands as a reminder of the city's past residents and their way of life.
Standard House
The Standard House at 50 Hudson Avenue is a cool old building from 1855. It's built in the Italianate style, which was popular back then, with features like tall windows and decorative cornices. This building was once a hotel, and it's one of only two hotels left from Peekskill's industrial past. It has been beautifully restored and now houses the city's economic development department.
Van Cortlandt Upper Manor House
The Van Cortlandt Upper Manor House on Oregon Road is another historic home. It was listed on the National Register in 1981. This house is part of the rich history of the Van Cortlandt family, who were very important in the early days of New York.
Historic Districts and Neighborhoods
Sometimes, it's not just one building that's important, but a whole group of buildings or a neighborhood. These are called historic districts.
Nelson Avenue-Fort Hill Historic District
The Nelson Avenue-Fort Hill Historic District is a large area that includes streets like Nelson Avenue, John Street, and Orchard Street. This district was recognized in 2006. It's a beautiful residential area from the 1800s, filled with many homes built in the late Victorian style. Walking through this neighborhood is like taking a step back in time!
Peekskill Downtown Historic District
The Peekskill Downtown Historic District covers the heart of Peekskill, including Main, Division, and South Streets. This area was listed in 2005. It's the original center of Peekskill from the 1800s. A special feature here is a landmark tower at Division and South streets, built in the Moorish Revival style. This style uses designs inspired by Moorish architecture from North Africa and Spain, making the tower look unique and exotic.
Places of Worship and Community
Churches often play a big role in a community's history, and Peekskill has two notable ones on the list.
Peekskill Presbyterian Church
The Peekskill Presbyterian Church at 705 South Street was built in 1846. It was added to the National Register in 2002. What's really cool about this church is that it still uses the same bell that the congregation had when it was first started way back in the 1790s! That's over 200 years of history in one bell.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
St. Peter's Episcopal Church at 137 North Division Street is another beautiful historic church. It was built in 1892 and is designed in the neo-Gothic style. This style brings back elements of medieval Gothic cathedrals, like pointed arches and tall spires. The church was designed by a famous architect named Richard M. Upjohn. It was added to the National Register in 2003.
Transportation and Public Buildings
Buildings related to transportation and public services also hold important historical value.
Peekskill Freight Depot
The Peekskill Freight Depot at 41 South Water Street was listed in 2004. This building is incredibly important because it's the only original freight depot still standing along the old Hudson River Railroad line. But that's not all! This depot has a very special connection to American history: Abraham Lincoln himself stopped here on his way to become president. He gave a short speech to about 3,000 people, which was more than double Peekskill's population at the time! It was the only time Lincoln ever visited Westchester County.
U.S. Post Office – Peekskill
The U.S. Post Office – Peekskill is located at 738 South Street and was added to the National Register in 1989. This post office is known for its Palladian windows. These are large, three-part windows with a tall arched central section and two smaller rectangular sections on either side. They are not very common in post offices built before the New Deal era, especially those in the Colonial Revival style, making this building quite unique.
