350 YEARS OF HISTORY
State extends period of significance in city’s Stockade District to 1965
Forty-two years ago, the Stockade District in Uptown Kingston was designated as a national historic landmark district.
In nominating documents with the state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the focus of that 1975 selection was “on the history and architecture of Kingston’s seventeenth-century stockade.”
And while the 300 block of Uptown’s Wall Street was included in that original designation, it was only last year that the “period of significance” was extended all the way to 1965, according to a state official.
“The 300 block (of Wall Street) was included in the original nomination; however, the original period of significance only documented the district for its significance in the city’s settlement and early development period,” said Dan Keefe, deputy public information officer for the state Office of Parks, Recreation,
and Historic Preservation. “Last year, the district was amended to extend the period of significance to 1965 and document the influences of commerce through the mid 20th century.”
Following are the state amended listing and descriptions of some buildings, which have been altered over the years, located in the 300 block section of Wall Street:
• 300 Wall St., The National Ulster County Bank, circa 1832, altered in the 1940s, now the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center.
Description: Three-story commercial, two-bay by fivebay building; retains strong Art Deco design. Tapestry brick. Art Deco features include use of triangular patterns in brick along parapet, decorative concrete rim capping pilasters and at recessed doorway. Wall Street elevation includes two sets of windows at second and third floors; recessed wood panels between windows. On John Street side, four pilasters divide five banks of windows identical to façade; four historic sconces and pendant light.
• 301 Wall St., State of New York National Bank, circa. 1870; altered in 1947, formerly Tonner Doll Co., with plans for new boutique hotel.
Description: Three-story, two-bay by seven-bay commercial Beaux Arts building. Façade divided horizontally into base of first floor, with second story shaft capped by stone cornice and parapet; refaced in stone classical bank style with heavy rustication on first floor, smooth face above. State of New York National Bank sign visible over Pike Plan awning.
• 302 Wall St., Charles Schmerhorn, Tailor, circa 1870; altered mid-20th century, now Stockade Martial Arts.
Description: Three-story, three-bay brick commercial, Italianate building. Storefront glazing consists of three panels with commercial entrance, minimal aluminum framing. Set of two paired sash windows and three individual windows with flat lintels and sills repeat across second and third floors. Ornate wood bracketed cornice with incised decoration.
• 304 Wall St., Winne and Winchell Hardware, circa 1877; altered mid-20th century, now Murphy’s Realty Group.
Description: Three-story, three-bay commercial, brick Italianate building. Asymmetrical storefront glazing with black granite lower window panels, centered; facade is divided into three sections by simple brick pilasters with arched pattern under cornice. Four windows with incised decorative hoods on second and third levels; two narrower windows paired in central bay. Incised decoration in cornice where large brackets appear at each vertical division and modillions.
• 306 Wall St., Up to Date Department store, circa 1880; storefront altered mid-20th century, now Pardee’s Insurancce Agency.
Description: Three-story, three-bay, commercial brick Italianate building with bracketed cornice; central entrance with transom, brick knee wall underneath plate glass windows, minimal aluminum framing.
• 307 Wall St., W.T. Grant’s Dept. Store, ca. 1870; a glazed terra cotta façade added in early 20th century; four businesses are now located ground floor.
Description: Three-story, five-bay, commercial building. Classical revival; storefront altered, new glass doors with bronze framing in 1986.
Doric pilasters divide bays on second and third stories; capped by heavy entablature. Vertical wood casement windows with three or four windows in each bay on second and third floors.
• 309 Wall St., Nekos Brothers, circa 1906; plate glass storefront altered in 21st century; now Exit Nineteen.
Description: Three-story, two-bay brick commercial building. Three sided double oriel windows on second and third stories; arched, stepped brick detail on third story. Stamped metal cornice with swags and classically inspired moldings.
• 311 Wall St., F. W. Woolworth Co., crica 1870; substantially altered 1957; now planned for Kingston Food Exchange.
Description: Two-story, four-bay brick commercial building. Common bond brick veneer over 19th century commercial building; massive storefront is composed of symmetrical, plate glass display windows with minimal aluminum framing; two symmetrically aligned entrance doors meet the street. Polished granite paneling along window base and sides.