Union Street Historic District

Union Street Historic District is an eight-block area in Poughkeepsie filled with closely packed buildings on small lots that share rear yards rather than side yards. The dense arrangement creates a tightly woven neighborhood where historic houses sit shoulder to shoulder throughout the district.

Union Street emerged in 1767 as the first road that connected Poughkeepsie to the Hudson River. It later became known as Union Store Road because of its importance for moving goods and people between the city and the water.

German, Irish, Polish, Italian, and Slavic families made their homes here across different periods and left their mark on the neighborhood. You can sense these influences in the architecture and the way the streets are laid out.

The district sits southwest of downtown Poughkeepsie, bounded by Main Street to the north and the Hudson River to the east. Walking through the area gives you a sense of the whole neighborhood as one connected place, making it easy to explore on foot.

This district became the first property in Poughkeepsie to receive recognition on the National Register of Historic Places back in 1971. With more than 170 buildings that contribute to its historic character, it stands as an early milestone in protecting the city's heritage.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 41.70306,-73.93361

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:06