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Walking Tours of Cold Spring Offer a Glimpse Back In Time
Walking tours are conducted on Sundays at 2
p.m. through the end of November. They start at the foot of Main Street, near
the Visitor's Center in Cold Spring, and are
led by volunteer guides. There is no charge for the tour but a donation to
benefit the sponsor of the tours, The Putnam County Historical Society &
Foundry School Museum, is appreciated. Please note that this page is only a
poor reflection of the walking tour, there is no substitute to taking the
tour in person. Guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. A real flavor
of Cold Spring is transmitted person-to-person.
Here are just some of the places that have
been included in past tours:
75-81 Main St.
c. 1825-1835
(crnr Main and Rock Sts.)
These 3 adjoining structures are
supposedly the first business structures along Main Street. The corner
store is currently occupied by Staley/Gretzinger Clothing.
10 Fair St.
c. 1840.
Birthplace of Emily Warren, 1843.
She married Washington A. Roebeling in 1865 in Cold Spring. He was the Chief
Engineer of construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Upon his severe illness.
Emily assumed many of his responsibilities, and was enormous help in
completing the bridge. The Roebelings are buried in our Cold Spring Cemetery,
Peekskill Road. This is currently a private resident.
89 Main St.,
(Martalaer’s Court)
c. 1820.
The house in the courtyard, presently occupied by an Antiques Shop, was brought to Cold Spring from the Highland Falls
area across the
Hudson River during the winter.
93-97 Main St.,
c. 1857 (approx.).
This is one of two
structures, the other at 49 Main St., whose upper stories are sheathed in cast
iron, or another related metal. Many other such "ironclads" were
manufactured in New York City, but these particular facades may have been made
right here in Cold Spring at the West Point Foundry. Such fronts are rare
today.
Main Street/Kemble Avenue intersection.
c. 1825-1830.
A
row of six houses on the west side of Kemble Avenue are original "foundry
houses", erected 1825-1830. These structures along with several others
throughout the village, were built by the West Point Foundry for their
machinists and laborers and their families. This intersection was one of the
main entrances to the foundry, c. 1818.
Depot Square:
A plaque on the grounds outside the Depot
Restaurant at the foot of upper Main St. states that General George Washington drank from a spring,
presently running under this property, and commented on it being a "cold
spring," thus giving our village its name. Washington was known to visit
this area on occasion, since a large campground for his troops was situated on
the hill where our present day Haldane School is. This encampment, c. 1777-78,
oversaw the erection of defenses at West Point.
The name of our village could also have
derived from the fact that many boats plying the river some years before the
American Revolution had entered in their logs and charts that this particular
landing offered extremely clear and cold spring water with which to fill water
casks.
Market Street:
The Chapel Of Our Lady
Restoration. The
chapel, which is the first Catholic Church erected in this area north of the
Manhattan Diocese, was erected in 1833-1844, and originally named St. Mary's.
The West Point Foundry built it for their workers and their families. The
structure was designed by 16 year old Thomas Wharton. In 1930 the building was
destroyed by fire. Restoration efforts began with the help of benefactors such
as Helen Hayes, the first lady of the American Theatre, and the Chapel was
rededicated for use by all faiths in 1977. It is used today for occasional
weddings, concerts, and ecumenical services..
19 Market Street
c. 1830.
Much of the original house
remains. A former owner was descended from Gouverneur and Lewis Morris. One a
signer of the Declaration of the Independence and the other a penman of the
U.S. Constitution. This is currently a private residence.
20 Market Street,
c. 1820-1825.
Birthplace of Gouverneur
Kemble Warren. 1830. He graduated West Point, 1850, and became a Major
General. He distinguished himself at Gettysburg, 1863. Toward the end of the
Civil War he was accused of "excessive deliberation and inexpertness in
bringing his troops to action in a particular battle". He was cleared of
all charges 16 years later, about a year prior to his death. This is
currently a private residence.
1 Market Street.
c. 1820
(Limited Editions Realty) This is one of
the oldest buildings in this part of Cold Spring, dating back to when Cold
Spring began a village in terms of a concentrated settlement of houses,
stores, saloons, etc.
West Street: "Hudson House"
c. 1835-37.
This
structure, first named the Pacific Hotel, is the 3rd oldest continuously used
inn in New York State. Following several years of disrepair, the entire
building was restored, including raising the entire structure to accommodate a
new foundation. Restoration completed in 1982.
The entire Town of Philipstown is rich in history, and a
delight to the eye. The tour outlines only a portion of the interesting places
in Philipstown. Over two hundred structures in Cold Spring are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, and Nelsonville and Garrison are also
full of buildings and houses which have figured in history or have a unique
history all their own. A trip to the Foundry School Museum on Chestnut Street
(845-265-5090) will provide enough information for many walking tours!
(Courtesy of Donald MacDonald)
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