Dutchess Manor
Why it's listed
Dutchess Manor is a two-story brick residence built in 1889 on Breakneck Road in Fishkill, facing Route 9-D with woodlands separating it from the Hudson River. It was part of the estate of Francis Timoney, an Irish immigrant who bought a brick yard in 1886 and became a wealthy brick manufacturer with three yards along the railroad line beside the river. The house shows Second Empire character through its mansard roof with decorated exposed rafters, brick quoins, rounded-head windows with projecting brick surrounds, gabled dormers with quatrefoil cutwork, and four arcaded chimney stacks. A two-story brick carriage house with a cupola, now apartments, stands to the north, and a former gatehouse completes the complex. Later additions for restaurant use do not seriously detract from the original buildings. The property is considered the most architecturally distinguished residence of its type and period in the Hudson Highlands survey area, and it reflects a significant local industry.
Significance in brief: The house is described as a fine example of the Second Empire style as interpreted in the Hudson Valley, with picturesque details such as scrollwork trim and gabled dormers. It is called the most architecturally distinguished residence of its type and period in the multiple resource area. It is also linked to Francis Timoney, a prominent local brick manufacturer.
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 82001131, listed November 23, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 400 Breakneck Rd., Fishkill |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | November 23, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001131 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect and builder unknown |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition fair; now used as a restaurant, with the carriage house converted to apartments. Large one-story additions on the north and west sides are non-contributing. |
| Acreage | 18 |
| Coordinates | 41.46036, -73.98194 (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 82001131.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5317489
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.