Starr Institute 1907
Built in 1862, Rhinebeck’s first true library. A gift to the town from Mrs. Mary R. Miller and named in honor of her recently deceased husband, the Hon. William Starr Miller. It had an auditorium/gym, theater, pool, and bowling alley in it at a later point. Note the YMCA reference on the last card, that started in 1907. Everything but the original building and the theater (now Upstate Films) was demolished in 1972. It’s full history can be found here. The library finally moved out in 1975 and the building was sold to private investors. It’s been a restaurant for at least the last 10 years (of late called called Liberty), but it closed down in 2020 due to covid (and I’m sure other reasons). It’s empty today and it’s currently being shopped for a new tenant. See starrinstitute.com.
Astor Home for Children
Established 1914 by the Astor family. Postcard undated but likely early 1930’s
Old Firehouse, 1914
Home of the Kip House company, where the famous old pumper “Pocahantas” resided. Site of the first movie house in town. Now owned by the Banta family, who own the Beekman Arms and several other properties in town.
Delamater House
Also owned by the Banta’s and part of the Beekman Arms business. A gothic revival style house designed by Alexander Jackson Davis. It was built in 1844 for Henry Delamater, founder of the First National Bank of Rhinebeck (now M&T bank).
First National Bank (now M&T Bank)
Rhinebeck Savings Bank
Old Gristmill Country Store
Inside this structure they recreated a gristmill using timbers and the stones from the 18th century Dickinson gristmill in Hyde Park. It then became a Chinese restaurant, Victoria Peak, roughly around 1983, then later it became the Rolling Rock, then the Double O, and most recently, the Eveready Diner. It burned down, suspiciously, in 2014. It’s still sitting there like a train wreck. It was a really good diner, I wish they would rebuild it.
Old Powerhouse
This is north of the hospital on Montgomery St. You can still see the retaining walls for the coal piles behind the house. Presumably this was an asset of the “Dutchess Light, Heat, & Power Co.,” a predecessor of Central Hudson.
Locust Grove
Constructed in 1919. 41 Locust Grove Road, selling for $1.2m in Apr 2023.
41 Locust Grove Rd, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 | MLS #414879 | Zillow
Stonecrest and Renzelver
Both of these old guest houses are right next to each other just off the Old Post Road ( south of town. #26 and 22 Old Post Rd.) It’s private property so these are the best quick photos I could get.
Stonecrest
Renzelver
1939 Post Office
Designed after the old Beekman House in Rhinecliff. Notes on its design/construction can be found in the FDR library. Also see here.
1930 post card, 1920's picture, Reality Building
Right across from the Beekman Arms, I believe owned by Tracy Dows during the 20’s/30’s (he had an office in this building). I believe it was also know as the Red Hook Telephone Co. building for many years. Torn down, guessing late 70’s, to make room for the monstrosity you see here today. FDR would not be happy (see link above).
Hamlin Store, 1905 postcard
Also known as the IOOF lodge building. The Jersey barriers they erected around town in 2020, useful as they seem, are hideous looking. They should just extend the sidewalks out, European style, and put up bollards for safety.
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) House
c1773 Home of Janet and Richard Montgomery as they were building their mansion, later called Grasmere, just south of town. Per the plague on it, this small house was moved from Montgomery St. to this spot at the end of Livingston Street in 1859.
1774 Jan Pier House
Parts of it could have been built as early as 1761, Just off 308/East Market as you are leaving town. The mansard roof is c1881 and not original to the design. It’s too bad this house wasn’t set back 20 or 30 feet. It’s hard to see any of it (or photograph it) with the six foot fence that is smack dab in front of it today. I understand the Jan Pier family were loyalists.
Update: the house is being offered for sale Dec, 2023 for $1.5m. See: The Jan Pier Residence Historic Circa In Rhinebeck, New York, United States For Sale (13211443) (jamesedition.com)
Old High School (Old Union Free School, 1869)
The front (older) end burned in 1939. What remains is the third addition made to it.
Misc pictures to be processed later
Horan's Bar, 9G
Horan’s was on 9G, just above the Hyde Park Line. I was in it once as a kid, it seemed like a nice place. We’ve all watched it sit there and decay for 30-40 years now.
House in Wurtemburg
Gardener/Corke House (Rt.9 south of village)
Civil War Monument
Border of Red Hook (Rt.9)
I’m going to guess the top structure with the gas pumps was located where the roughed up depression in the land you see.
Hamlet of Schultzville
East of town, a hamlet of Clinton (where Fiddler’s Bridge Road & Centre Rd/18 cross). The “new” picture is dated, this building is now the Golden Russet café and grocery.
