Grey Hook
Why it's listed
Grey Hook, at 5 Ferris Lane in Poughkeepsie, is a small concrete block bungalow completed in 1911. Raymond H. Bushnell designed and built it and first lived in it. He was only nineteen at the time, and the house reportedly cost as little as $1,200. In the 1910 city directory he described his business as concrete construction, and two years later he listed himself as an architect. The house is regarded as the first concrete block dwelling built in the Poughkeepsie area. It has one and a half stories, two bays, a wide dormer, and a roof that sweeps out over a porch with concrete block columns and a bold balustrade. Other features include stained glass windows and a plaster fireplace surround with plaster cherubs. A 1915 issue of Concrete Cement Age publicized Bushnell's method of construction. His use of block was later followed in other local homes. The house remains a residence, with rear additions.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the first concrete block house built in the Poughkeepsie area. It reflects an innovative use of building materials in early-20th-century Poughkeepsie that was later followed in other local residences. It also represents one man's complete involvement in designing and building his own home.
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 82001141, listed November 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 5 Ferris Lane, Poughkeepsie |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | November 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001141 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Raymond H. Bushnell (architect and builder) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and still used as a residence; rear additions are noted as the major alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.68837, -73.91707 (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 82001141.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5608176
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.