Church Park Historic District

Church Park Historic District is a downtown neighborhood in Goshen, New York, spanning about 1,020 acres with 107 buildings organized around a triangular park. The structures date from different periods, anchored by a Greek Revival courthouse built in 1841.

The district was first added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and expanded in 2004 to include significant buildings spanning several generations. Architect Thornton Niven shaped its character through his 1841 courthouse design, which defined the dominant architecture of the 19th century.

The First Presbyterian Church with its distinctive spire anchors the north end of the triangle, while government and office buildings shape the surrounding streets. The layout reveals how the community organized public spaces around institutions that mattered to daily life.

The district is subject to design guidelines that require any new construction to match established historical standards. Visitors can walk freely through the area and explore the buildings and park at their own pace.

The historic horse racing track within the district has operated continuously since 1838, making it the oldest uninterrupted racing facility in the country. This track has drawn visitors for generations and links the region's sporting history to the neighborhood's architecture.

Location: Goshen

GPS coordinates: 41.40194,-74.32278

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:41