Eastman Terrace
Why it's listed
Eastman Terrace is a row of ten attached townhouses at 1-10 Eastman Terrace in Poughkeepsie, built in 1872 facing Eastman Park. Architect A.G. Thompson of New York City designed the row for Mayor Harvey G. Eastman, who had bought 27 acres of swamp in 1865 and turned them into a landscaped park. The three-story brick houses stand on raised stone basements under mansard roofs with polychrome slate, decorative stone parapets and iron cresting. The facade alternates projecting and recessed sections, with ornate dormers, brackets and keystoned lintels. Eastman planned 23 houses, promoting features such as billiard rooms, wine rooms and dumb waiters, but a weak real estate market left only ten built, and an auction in 1873 failed. Early owners included an engraver, a lawyer and local business figures. The row is regarded as the earliest group of rowhouses in Poughkeepsie and remains notable for its detailed elaboration. Period mantels, woodwork, tilework and plaster ornament survive inside, and the buildings are still residences.
Significance in brief: The row was part of Mayor Harvey G. Eastman's scheme to transform 27 acres of swamp into a park with surrounding development. It is described as the earliest rowhouses in Poughkeepsie and remains unique for its sophistication and detailed elaboration. Only ten of the 23 planned houses were built after the real estate market collapsed.
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 82001133, listed November 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1-10 Eastman Terr., Poughkeepsie |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | November 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001133 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | A.G. Thompson, New York City (architect); Mayor Harvey G. Eastman (builder) |
| Architectural style | English Renaissance or Anglicized modern French (Second Empire mansard form), per Eastman's description |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as good; still used as residences, with additional rear porches added in the early 20th century. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.69688, -73.93123 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 82001133.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5330793
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.