1974 Annual Pilgrimage

1974 ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE

Members of the Dutchess County Historical Society and their guests were invited to participate in the annual pilgrimage which was held in the Town of Stanford on June 15, 1974. The pilgrimage was under the auspices of the Town of Stanford Historical Society. The Town of Stanford was founded in 1788. Buses left the Innis Avenue parking lot of the Poughkeepsie Savings Bank at 8:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 15th, and arrived at the Stanford Grange Hall at approximately 9 A.M. At this point those who drove their own cars to Stanfordville were taken aboard the buses. The Grange Hall is located in the Village of Stanfordville on the west side of Route 82. Itinerary for trip: Bangall Road to Amenia - Federal Square - return to Bangall by Hunn's Lake - then to 82A to Stissing (Stissing Junction). Continue to Shelby Hill Road across Bull's Head to Market Lane. Return to Grange Hall for lunch. After lunch - Old Railroad Station - inspect old mill then on to Grist Mill Lane - Route 82 - past Stanford Library, then to Sister's Hill Road. Last stop Mrs. Roberts (stop on the underground R.R.). The assessment per person was $2.00 for which each person received transportation, and coffee and dessert during the lunch period, each person having brought his own lunch. Our Society owes many thanks to the Town of Stanford Historical Society for its great work in arranging an itinerary and providing knowledgeable guides for each bus and on several sites. We were lucky in the weather and the sun smiled on us as warmly as the people of Stanford. There follows a map and a list of stops in order of the trip as planned by the Stanford Society. It was prepared as notes for a bus guide who kindly let me have her copy.

TO \A/N OF TAN FC,RD 19 74

The Town of Stanford - population 2479.. .area 50.10 sq. miles is second in size only to the Town of Washington in Dutchess County. This may seem odd to you if you have read in the newspaper that Stanford does not have enough population to quality for a single Representative on the County Board of Representatives. The town has two large lakes, Hunns Lake and Upton Lake, two Post Offices, Stanfordville and Bangall and residents are also served by rural routes from Pine Plains, Amenia, Millbrook and Clinton Corners; also by five telephone exchanges. In the last sixty years - except for new developments and ,4reas around the two lakes - there have been very few new houses built. Therefore, a majority of the houses you will see range in age from 60 to 100 years or more. We will try to point out those of some particular interest.

MORNING TRIP 1. One of the oldest houses in Stanford has been preserved as part of a large house at the corner of Pumpkin Lane. A picture of this house, built by Paul Upton before the Revolution, is in the "History of Dutchess County, 1877" by Philip H. Smith, a printer from Pawling. This is how Upton Lake got its name. 2. At the turn of the century Upton Lake was a popular resort and excursion trains ran to special stop "Hoag's Crossing". This was near Hoag's Boarding House which has since been torn down to save taxes. 3. New Guernsey development. Mrs. Henry Drake preserved the east end of Upton Lake against new development for many years but at last it has come. 4. Former Germond house. Now home of Austin Knickerbocker, a big league baseball player (but a local boy) who married Helen Germond. 5. Colonial house of Eugene Sheldon, built by Rufus Smith. 6. At the next corner, near the site of a small new house, was the Willowbrook Railroad Station. 7. Across the fields on Market Lane is the home of Newton D. Deuel formerly owned by Helen and Harvey Wing. This was the old Willowbrook Post Office. Part of the house was built in the 18th century and the rest in 1837. 8. Next is the "Germond Murder House." On the eve of Thanksgiving Day in 1932 all four members of the James Germond family were murdered. The mystery was never solved. Present owner is Mrs. M. I. Busha. 9. Turning left on Route 82 we pass several old houses, one of which was owned by Mrs. Dorothy Kistinger until it was sold recently. Another, now owned by Dom Tirante was the home of Judge Ellis Robinson, a colorful character of Stanford. 10. We have passed the United Church of Christ, organized in 1837 and the Stanford Cemetery. 11. "Hobby Acres" home of Joseph Resnick, was built in the early nineteenth century. There was once a ballroom on the 3rd floor. PROCEED TO GRANGE HALL WHERE MRS. GRACE THORPE, MASTER OF THE STANFORD GRANGE, WILL SERVE COFFEE. 12. First house on left is the former Mary Arnold Henry house, built in 1869. This was the boarding house for the students at the Christian Biblical Institute. "Trash & Treasures", well known antique shop is now operated by Mary Henry Shockley. 13. On right is the former Stanford School - now the Stanford Town Hall. 14. Newton Post house built 1810. Moses Haight made beaver hats here. DISMOUNT AT BANGALL SQUARE 15. Immaculate Conception Church (formerly a Baptist church) founded 1919. 16. Sutherland-Bullis "Landmark House" now owned by Robert Renshew. Built in 1815 and restored in the early 1960's by a very skilled young man, George Burroughs and the Renshews have completed restoration. Inspection from the outside is permitted. 17. Opposite is former Bullis Hall which once housed the Bangall Post Office and there was a recreation room on

the 2nd floor. See post card pictures taken in the early part of this century. Now the building has been converted to apartments. 18. Another large building, formerly the Bangall Hotel, "Mrs. Viola Germond, Proprietress", (See page 29 of the "Town of Stanford in History".) has also been converted to apartments. 19. The store, now operated by Roger Lougheed, dates back over 75 years. Former owners were Charles Humphrey, I. B. Couse, Fred Churton and it is now owned by Robert Churton who rents it to Roger. 20. The Bangall Railroad Station was removed about 20 years ago to a site on Bulls Head Road about half a mile past Market Lane corner. 21. Bangall Memorial Square was founded shortly after World War #1. The land had been purchased from the New York New Haven & Hartford Railroad by John Battistoni, Sr. and he donated the land for the Square and the cannons to the Town of Stanford. Memorial services are held here on Fourth of July and Memorial Day. (John Battistoni, and later his son Henry, ran a very popular "eating & drinking" place where a specialty was Turtle soup.) 22. The Stanford Historical Society, Inc. has recently fallen heir to Bangall Post Office building. We are just moving in so the appearance leaves much to be desired but we are very grateful to Barbara Knickerbocker, daughter of Harrie Knickerbocker the former owner who has turned it over to us. 23. Next procedure will be up Bangall Amenia Road, past little old house formerly owned by Jay Knickerbocker - mail carrier when Bangall had a rural route - and later for Salt Point. Jay was Austin Knickerbocker's father. 24. Pass Verney Farms - estate of James Cagney. Lanny Ross was a former owner and a lovely old colonial house was torn down then. There are no buildings of particular interest unless we get a glimpse of his herd of beef cattle. Mr. Cagney has extensive acreage. 25. Pass Ruth Bontecou's house. This was formerly owned by the family Of Evelyn Nesbitt - "the girl in the red velvet dress" involved in the 1920's murder of famous architect Sanford White by wealthy Harry Thaw. At the trial Harry Thaw was committed to Matteawan Hospital and then released. 25a. Proceed to corner of Pugsley Hill Road past large house built in 1770 by Cornelius and Nancy Pugsley. Present owner is Mrs. Mary Gordon. 26. Next right turn to the Millbrook School - formerly for boys only but now girls are admitted as day students. Guides from the School will meet us at the old Grist Mill (converted to an Art Studio) and escort us thru the campus. (DISMOUNT AT MILL TO INSPECT FIRST FLOOR) 27. Pass Thimble House - estate of Mrs. Paul Peabody. 28. Back to Pugsley Hill Road and proceed to Wethersfield, estate of Chauncey Stillman. Murray Pulver will show us the gardens and - hopefully - the carriage collection. (Mr. Stillman regrets that he cannot greet us in person.) 29. Enroute in bus - still at Wethersfield - note former Albert Kellar colonial house, and opposite the original District #1 school house both of which have been restored by Mr. Stillman.

30. Down Pugsley Hill (superb view) past the "Century" farm operated by John and Paul Keaver. 31. Turn left and pass the Thompson "Square" cemetery. The names Df people buried there are listed in the book "Thompson Lineage". 32. Turn right on Hunns Lake Road and pass home of Mrs. Alexander McNab built by Caleb Thompson in 1783. 33. Pass former home of Mrs. Grace Bird - also of ancient vintage - now owned by Peter Hoppner, an architect. 33a. Continue to corner of the Square and turn right on Rt. 82A. This was the site of the Federal Square Post Office. (We have now crossed the Stanford line into the Town of Northeast.) On opposite side of 82A is the BockeeWheaton cemetery. 34. At the next corner we pass a large brick house built in 1767, formerly owned by Frank Tripp - an ancestor of Dr. Franklin Butts. 34a. Continue around Square (back into Stanford) and turn left on Hunns Lake Road. Pass brick house, owned by Morgan Culver, Sr. - built by Ezra Thompson in the 18th century. Morgan Culver, Jr. has a dairy operation of over 1000 acres. 35. At the top of Carpenter Hill pass monument to five generations of Carpenters, erected by nephew Henry Clarke who lives in the new house. The historic Carpenter house burned in 1945. Willson Carpenter and his sisters Julia and Louisa were the last owners. (Morgan Carpenter bought the land.) In the early 20th century Willson operated 5 farms and for a time he was president of the Farmers National Bank in Poughkeepsie. 36. Pass Greek Revival house owned by Mary and Marguerite Bird. This is also a "Century" farm. (Operated by the same family for over 100 years.) 37. "Uplands" home of Emily (Terbush) Stout, built in 1870 by Col. John Thompson. Original homestead deeded by the "Crown" to Amos Thompson in 1750. (Carport is part of old house.) (DISMOUNT AND WALK THRU FIRST FLOOR.) 38. Turn corner and pass brick house now owned by Vincent Lind, present Dutchess County Commissioner of Finance. This house was built about 1800 by Stephen (?) Guernsey. Shortly after the Civil War it was purchased by Robert Sutherland, son of Supreme Court Judge Josiah Sutherland (Who built the Landmark house in Bangall). Robert's daughters Blanche & Sarah lived in the house until 1933 when they moved to Poughkeepsie. 39. At the head of the lake is the Hunn house built before 1858. After this house was built the name of the lake was changed from Thompson's Pond to Hunns Lake. The buildings are now being converted into apartments. 40. Continue around lake and pass house once owned by Herbert Thomsen well known Poughkeepsie Journal editor, until his recent death. 41. Pass "Cliff House" a 4 story boarding house operated by Mr. & Mrs. George Dillinger back in the teens and twenties. 42. Opposite is the former Dillinger's Hall" blow the home of Walter Churton). People came here from all over the County for square and round dancing. No liquor was allowed on the premises.

43. Next former Anna Simon boarding house with 24 bedrooms - now operated as a home for disabled veterans. 44. Continue down Hunns Lake Road past the former "Florence Cottage" on the left side of the road. This was also an old time boarding house and at one time the "Hulls Mill" post office. 45. Pass "Roseland" a resort operated by the Fichera family. This property was formerly owned by Edwin Knickerbocker, a Justice of the Peace and Supervisor of the Town of Stanford. 46. Continue to Bangall. Pass house built by Judge Daniel Guernsey about 1870. This house had fallen into disrepair but is now being restored by Ethan Jackman, who operates the Central Press in Millbrook. 47. Next on left is a house formerly owned by I. B. Couse who at one time operated the store in Bangall, now run by Roger Lougheed. Current occupant is Anthony P. Collins (known as "Toby") who is a "Bookseller" and deals in paintings and antiques as well as old books. 48. On right Bangall Methodist Church built in 1843. AFTERNOON TRIP 1. After lunch, retrace route to Bangall and turn left on Millis Road, named for Frank Millis, a barber who had his shop bridging Bangall Brook. He lived with his mother, Beanna Millis, in the house (2nd left) now owned by Ed. Carr, who restores furniture. Frank was known as the "Mayor of Bangall". 2. Farther on right is an old mill now owned by Mrs. Mary Palmer which is falling to pieces. On the right, next to the mill is "Mill Lane". Out of sight around a bend is another mill where Frank Alling made paper out of rye straw. This building with a large pond and waterfall has recently been renovated by Bob Keefer and Arthur Marquis. Ann Alling Martin, who is living now at Hunns Lake was born in the Mill. 3. On left on Millis Road is an old Baptist church that has been remodelled into a beautiful home. The owner, Don Goodwin has invited us to inspect the interior. 4. The second house beyond, on left is the former parsonage of the Baptist church, now owned by the Misses Stemmerman. 5. Next - the present Keyser house - is very well preserved. A separate building in the back (2 stories) housed Miss Sackett's school. Many students from this school went on to the Eastman Business School in Poughkeepsie. 6. At right on corner of Rt. 82 is a very old house which was the Baptist parsonage preceding the house we just passed. When Mr. Dinsmore bought this house recently he found that he had also acquired an old Baptist cemetery. 7. A left turn on Cold Spring Road takes us past another, larger Baptist cemetery. This is open for inspection if desired. 8. Take next right, back to Route 82. Pass BAG Press (named for former Bangall Art Guild) where Elizabeth Williams publishes the "Mid County Mart". 9. Proceed on 82 to Stissing Road. First house on right is very ancient. This is the home of our Publicity Director, Mrs. Dorothy Ahern. 10. We are now approaching the site of Stissing Junction. Note third house on right, a thick hedge of trees. This was planted as a protection against the trains that went close by.

11. Turn right and proceed to home of Herbert Yahraes. We will stop here and Mrs. Ahern will give us some history about the old railroads and Stissing history. The house will not be open. 12. Then turn left on Stissing Road past the "Old Beckwith Place." See picture in Stanford History book. 13. Past the "big" Beckwith house - the home of our Stanford Historian Mrs. Elinor Beckwith. 14. Continue to junction with Cold Spring Road oast former Wright house, recently renovated. 15. Then on to home of Alfred Butts on corner of Shelly Hill Road. Mr. Butts invented the game "Scrabble." He is one of the Founders of the Stanford Free Library. 16. Up Shelly Hill Road past Lyle Replogle's home - a beautiful Greek Revival house formerly owned by the Bowen family. This is on the corner of Decker Road. Mr. Bowen raised sheep. 17. Down Shelly Hill, past a new development to Bulls Head Road. A large white house with columns is the home of Henry Staats. Former owner was Dr. Cornelius. Mr. Staats had run the farm and when the owner died Henry acquired it. Now he and his sons have a thriving milk tank delivery business. 18. Across Bulls Head Road and down Market Lane past the former Burton Fradenburgh house. Mr. Fradenburgh was the Stanford Town Clerk and for many years - not so long ago - Town Board meetings were held in his kitchen with kerosene lamps and heated by a wood or coal stove. The house was sold recently and has been restored to its colonial beauty. 19. Next on right is the old Sutherland cemetery. Josiah Sutherland, the Supreme Court Judge who built the "Landmark" house in Bangall, is buried here. The Dutchess County Commissioner of Finance has a trust fund for the care of this cemetery. (See copy of the Will of Hannah Sutherland, sister of Josiah, Lib. 9, page 56, in the Dutchess County Surrogate's Court.) 20. At Bear Market corner is a Mansard Roof house built about 1900. Elaine and Gordon Budd recently sold it and have converted a hugh barn into a 3 story home with a place to play basketball on the top floor. 21. Turn left on Hicks Lane to Bulls Head Road and go back toward Stanfordville, passing several eighteenth century houses which have been restored. 22. Continue to Route 82 and turn left. Pass a blue 3 story apartment house. This was the dormitory of the Christian Biblical Institute. (See Stanford History page 17) 23. Next is a sadly neglected house which was the President's Mansion of the C.B.I. Dr. Strong from Long Island maintained it well until about 1945 but the present owners have let it go into disrepair. 24. Pass through Grange property (without stopping) -The C.B.I. school was on this property but it burned in 1944 and the present building replaces it -- and go down a private road through the Stanford Recreation Area, sponsored by the Stanford Lions Club. 25. Left on Creamery Road past the Stanford Free Library. 26. Next is the home of Marge Willis, Stanford Town Clerk. This was formerly a Quaker Church.

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