Voorheesville in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Voorhees House

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, March 7, 2020

1. Voorhees House Marker

Inscription. Built By Alonzo B. Voorhees
Ca. 1867; Elegant Summer
Boarding House of S.V.R. &
Mahula Hoes Ca. 1879 - 1893

Erected by Village of Voorheesville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 42° 39.325′ N, 73° 55.794′ W. Marker is in Voorheesville, New York, in Albany County. Marker is on Prospect Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Voorheesville NY 12186, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Connecting People With Communities (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail (about 400 feet away); Grove Hotel (about 400 feet away); Cider Mill (approx. ¼ mile away); Site of Grist Mill 1787 (approx. 0.4 miles away); First P.O. 1868 (approx. half a mile away); Schoolhouse No. 10 (approx. half a mile away); Methodism (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Voorheesville.

Regarding Voorhees House. Alonzo B. Voorhees was an Albany lawyer who built his house in 1867 on a five-acre property overlooking the junction of Prospect and Main streets. Through two later land buys, he amassed a total of 16 acres.

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Although Voorhees lived in the village for only four years before returning to Albany, the village was named for him after he successfully convinced the postmaster general in 1868 that the train stop in New Scotland needed a post office.

In 1879, the Voorhees House became a boarding house run by Mrs. Mahula Hoes, wife of Steven Van Rensselaer Hoes. Mr. Hoes was an Albany native who was engaged in the manufacture of fine gentlemen's clothing, and importing fine French and English woolens and cassimeres. According to the Sullivan book on the history of Voorheesville, the house attracted wealthy vacationing Albanians who took the train to Voorheesville to escape the city’s heat in late summer, and who appreciated the house for its convenient location near the train depot. It was a pretentious residence, subsequently owned by Charlotta Coughtry.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2020, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 861 times since then and 140 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 18, 2020, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.