Clark House
Why it's listed
Clark House is a 2 1/2-story residence at 85 Cedar Avenue in Poughkeepsie, built around 1919. Its first known appearance in the city directories is in 1919, when the owner was C. Ralph Clark, a foreman at the DeLaval Separator Company on the river front. The house is built of concrete block and is considered one of the first two concrete-block dwellings in the Poughkeepsie area, which makes it an early example of that material and building method. Its design blends several styles. A sweeping main roof over a deep porch and a wide dormer reflect the Bungalow Style, while the Doric-columned porch recalls Colonial Revival and the half-timbering reflects Tudor Revival. A rusticated raised basement with a water table adds formality. It is larger and more formal than a 1911 bungalow at 5 Ferris Lane. The house faces west on a large, wooded lot in a residential neighborhood, remains in good condition, and is still used as a home.
Significance in brief: It is described as one of the first two concrete-block dwellings built in the Poughkeepsie area and represents an early use of concrete block and the construction method that followed. It also combines Bungalow, Colonial Revival and Tudor Revival features and sits on a large, wooded lot.
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 82001127, listed November 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 85 Cedar Ave., Poughkeepsie |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | November 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001127 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Bungalow features combined with Colonial Revival and Tudor Revival elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, with no alterations noted, and still used as a residence. |
| Acreage | 1.6 |
| Coordinates | 41.67385, -73.90494 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 82001127.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5127274
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.