Bronson, Dr. Oliver, House and Stables

Set on the brow of a steep rise above the Hudson River, this country house in Hudson, New York, looks west toward the Catskill Mountains. It began as an elegant Federal-style dwelling, probably built before 1820 by an unknown builder. Dr. Oliver Bronson bought it in the late 1830s and hired architect Alexander Jackson Davis to remodel it in 1839 and again in 1849. Davis added projecting bracketed eaves, designed a Palladian-form stables south of the house, and later built a west addition with an Italianate tower, octagonal ends and bay windows. The brackets on both buildings are unusual, and the stables are the only Hudson River bracketed-style stables known to be Davis's work. Inside, an elliptical stair spirals through three stories, and the northeast parlor has a notable Federal doorway and mantel. The house later became part of a state training school's grounds and was vacant when nominated, still keeping a largely rural setting.