HUDSON VALLEY RUINS
Forgotten Landmarks of an American Landscape
_____________

Thomas E. Rinaldi  ~  Robert J. Yasinsac

HUDSON VALLEY RUINS UPDATES   
The authors submitted Hudson Valley Ruins: Forgotten Landmarks of an American Landscape to the publisher in October 2005; the University Press of New England released the book in August 2006. Since then, a number of changes have occurred at sites documented in the book. Many buildings are still abandoned and remain endangered by decay, but some have been demolished while others have been restored, or restoration is underway. This list will be updated as we are made aware of changes at the sites included in the book. 
UPDATED: JANUARY 15, 2010.

Powell and Minnock Brick Company, Coeymans, Albany County - A marine salvage terminal has opened at the former brickyard. The scove kiln sheds and gantry crane were demolished over the winter of 2007-2008. The brick barn was converted to an office.

District No. 1 Public School, Athens, Greene County - Restoration begun but suspended. 

New York Central Railroad Station, Stuyvesant, Columbia County - Restoration underway, building in use for public events as of 2007.

Oliver Bronson House, Hudson, Columbia County - Restoration fundraising underway; house leased to Historic Hudson, Inc., in May 2008.

Summit Mills, Philmont, Columbia County - Restoration efforts begun.

Hudson River State Hospital, Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County - Main hospital building partly destroyed by fire, May 2007.

Luckey Platt & Company, Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County - Renovation into stores and apartments completed; first tenant moved in in December 2008..

Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge, Dutchess County - Renovation into public walkway began in May 2008. Expected to open to the public in late 2009.

Bannerman's Island Arsenal, Pollepel Island, Fishkill, Dutchess County - Nearly three-quarters of the "Tower" of Bannerman's Island Arsenal (Bannerman's Castle") collapsed in two storms in December 2009 and January 2010.

Dutch Reformed Church, Newburgh, Orange County - Restoration efforts underway in 2007. Initial work is focusing on the columns and windows.

West Shore Railroad Station, Newburgh, Orange County - Renovated and reopened in late 2010 as the Railroad Playhouse.

The Lancaster, Hastings-on-Hudson (Maritime Ruin) - Partly destroyed/partly buried,  2008.

Belden House, Carmel, Putnam County - Restoration plans under consideration, 2008.

Centennial Hose Company No. 4 Firehouse, Peekskill, Westchester County - Destroyed August 21, 2008. Collapsed during attempt to move building.

FL9 Locomotive No. 2005, Croton-Harmon, Westchester County - Destroyed for scrap metal. 


SITES DESTROYED/ALTERED BEFORE PUBLICATION OF BOOK
The authors photographed the subjects of Hudson Valley Ruins between 1994 and 2005. During that time, a number of these buildings were demolished, while restoration/stabilization efforts were considered or completed at others.

  • F. Sheffdecker House, Bethlehem Center, Albany County - Demolished c. 2001.

  • Dutch Reformed Church, Nassau, Rensselaer County - Demolished 2001. 

  • American Valve Company, Coxsackie, Greene County - Demolished 2002. 2 small ancillary buildings remain.

  • Hop-O-Nose Knitting Mill, Catskill Green County - Demolished c. 1999. Chimney demolished c. 2007-2008. Stair tower remains. 

  • R & W Scott Ice Company Powerhouse, Newton Hook, Columbia County - Stabilized 2001.

  • Stott Woolen Mills, Stottville, Columbia County - Mill No.4 demolished beginning in 2002. Mills Number 1 and 2 demolished in the 1970s; Mill Number 3 largely destroyed by fire in 1994.

  • Jacob Forst Packing Company, Kingston, Ulster County - Demolished September 2005.

  • Kingston City Hall, Kingston, Ulster County - Restored 2000.

  • Pleasant Valley Finishing Company, Pleasant Valley, Dutchess County - Destroyed by fire 1994, demolished in 1995. Office and mill foundation ruins remain.

  • New York Rubber Company, Beacon, Dutchess County - Destroyed by fire August 2005 and subsequently demolished.

  • New York Central Railroad Barge, Peekskill, Westchester County (Maritime Ruin) - Demolished January 2004.

  • Henry M. Peck House, West Haverstraw, Rockland County - Destroyed by fire, July 2002.

  • Tappan Zee Playhouse, Nyack, Rockland County - Demolished April 2004. 

  • Mount Saint Florence, Peekskill, Westchester County - Most buildings demolished 2001. Chapel and St. Germaine Home renovated for residential development.

  • Briarcliff Lodge, Briarcliff Manor, Westchester County - Partly destroyed by fire September 2003, subsequently demolished with all ancillary buildings.

  • Immaculate Conception Church, Irvington, Westchester County - Demolished March-June 1996.

  • Anaconda Wire and Cable Company, Hastings-on-Hudson, Westchester County - Most buildings demolished 2000-2005. Four factory buildings and the powerhouse and water tower remain.


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