Booth, O. H., Hose Company
Why it's listed
Built around 1908 at 532 Main Street in Poughkeepsie, this three-story yellow brick fire house was designed by local architect William J. Beardsley. The company took its name from Oliver H. Booth, the fire chief who organized it in 1853 after an earlier company was disbanded. The facade has bracketed cornices, grouped one-over-one windows and a wide, story-high red brick arch on the third story that contrasts with the yellow brick. Although plainer than the Lady Washington and Niagara fire houses designed by Percival Lloyd, the arch gives it distinction. Inside, a brass pole, tiled first floor and pressed metal ceilings survive. It is the only one of three fire houses in its group still serving its original purpose, and its upper floors remain a firemen's club, where Beardsley's rendering hangs. The only noted alteration is a new front garage door replacing three original doors. It anchors upper Main Street as a civic landmark.
Significance in brief: It is the only one of three fire houses in the Poughkeepsie nomination group that still serves its original use, with upper floors still used as a firemen's club. Its large red brick arch against the yellow brick facade is a unique feature, and the building is a focal point of upper Main Street. It shows how functional civic structures were planned with attention to architectural interest.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82001123, listed November 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 532 Main St., Poughkeepsie |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | November 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001123 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | William J. Beardsley, of Poughkeepsie (architect) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a fire station; condition listed as good, with an intact interior; the only alteration noted is a new garage door replacing three original doors. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.70107, -73.91722 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82001123.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7072114
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.