Ethol House
Why it's listed
Built around 1910 at 171 Hooker Avenue in Poughkeepsie, this shingled and cobblestone bungalow was designed by local architect André Reid, who also designed the neighboring house at #167. The 1-1/2 story house has a raised basement, stone foundations, a large 28-light window, a glazed porch with stick-style struts, a large dormer with a triple window, and a prominent stone chimney. Inside, boxed beams, original oak woodwork and a fieldstone fireplace survive intact. The grounds add to its character: fir trees give a rustic feel, while plantings made by a local nurseryman in 1916 and a weeping cherry tree create a more formal yard. A driveway winds to a period garage at the rear. Harry J. Ethol, President of the Pioneer Button Company, moved in during 1924. The house and its neighbor are considered among the most sophisticated and significant early twentieth-century residences in the city.
Significance in brief: It is described as one of the most sophisticated Bungalow-style residences in Poughkeepsie and one of the most significant residences of its period in the city. It was designed in 1910 by André Reid, together with the neighboring house at #167. Its park-like setting, plantings and intact interior add to its importance, and Harry J. Ethol, President of the Pioneer Button Company, lived there from 1924.
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 82001134, listed November 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 171 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | November 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001134 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | André Reid of Poughkeepsie (architect) |
| Architectural style | Bungalow |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, on its original site, with no major alterations; in residential use and with an intact interior. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.68845, -73.91599 (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 82001134.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5404407
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.