Upstate

Two 19th Century Charmers in Chatham for Under $400K

It’s a bit inland from awe-inspiring views of the Hudson River, but the town of Chatham and its associated hamlets are rich in history and, important for a house hunter, some character-filled architecture.

by Susan De Vries

03/29/2019 0

Located about a 30-minute drive from the train station at Hudson, Chatham is a township with a number of hamlets, including Old Chatham, North Chatham, East Chatham and Chatham Center to name just a few. It’s in Columbia County, an area originally inhabited by the Mohican people. European settlers arrived soon after Henry Hudson sailed up his namesake river in 1609. By the 18th century, the area was dotted with formally organized towns, including the town of Chatham, which was established around 1795.

The various hamlets are rich in 19th century architecture and we’ve found two houses — one from the beginning of the century and one from the tail end. Both are fairly modest in scale and are listed for under $400,000.

First up is the cottage at 4253 State Route 203 in North Chatham. According to the designation report for the North Chatham National Register Historic District, the frame building was constructed circa 1800 and was altered in the 1920s, giving the house a bit of a Craftsman style to it.

Those 1920s alterations didn’t obliterate the early 19th century character on the interior. Some of the rooms sport wide planked floorboards and beamed ceilings. There’s at least one fireplace which, according to the listing, is in working order.

The roughly 1,680 square foot house includes an eat-in kitchen with some cottage-style cabinetry and what looks like new appliances.

There are two baths and three bedrooms. According to the listing, the master, with an en-suite bath, is on the first floor. The rest of the bedrooms are on the upper story with atmospheric sloped ceilings and painted wide planked floorboards.

Like the other mostly early 19th century homes in the historic district, this petite house is set close to the main thoroughfare. It has a picket fence out front with what the listing photos show to be a lush garden. Out back there’s more garden space and a detached two-car garage.

The house is listed for $279,000 by Jonathan Hallam of The Kinderhook Group.

In Chatham is a house a bit more vertical in proportion at 168 Hudson Avenue. Constructed circa 1890, it’s a modest example of a Stick Style house. Characterized by decorative wood trim used horizontally, vertically and even diagonally across a facade, it was a popular picturesque style in the late 19th century.

Here it is a bit of a blend of Queen Anne in form with a tower, bay and porches and Stick Style horizontal and diagonal siding and trim. Some of the trim is picked out in bright yellow and red, lending a pop of color to the otherwise sedate blue and gray facade.

The period charm continues inside with stained glass, wood floors, moldings and pocket doors. There’s a touch of whimsy too — rather than the expected mantel a working wood burning stove has been installed. The listing photos show there’s at least one other wood burning stove in the house.

In addition to the parlor, listing photos seem to show a fairly spacious first floor with a number of rooms, including a study, dining room, modest kitchen, full bath and a bedroom.