Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

May 8th, 1974

400 Years of History

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 30, 2019

1. May 8th, 1974 Marker

Inscription. On May 8, 1974, a fire started on the Poughkeepsie side of the bridge. The fire's intense heat caused the track to warp. Burning debris fell from the bridge, starting small fires on the ground.

Background photograph by John Fasulo.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is May 8, 1974.

Location. 41° 42.635′ N, 73° 55.856′ W. Marker is in Poughkeepsie, New York, in Dutchess County. Marker can be reached from Parker Avenue (New York State Route 9G) ¼ mile east of Washington Street (New York State Route 9G), on the left when traveling east. Marker is mounted at knee-level on the north railing of the old Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, 1/4 mile west of the Parker Avenue parking lot for Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 49 Parker Avenue, Poughkeepsie NY 12601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mid-Hudson Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Nearly 3000 Men (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Signal Towers (about 300 feet away); Dutchess County (about 500 feet away); Named for Englishman Henry Hudson (approx. 0.2 miles

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away); Intercollegiate Rowing Association (approx. 0.2 miles away); The River that Flows Both Ways (approx. 0.2 miles away); Back on Track (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Poughkeepsie.

More about this marker. Originally built in 1889, today the repurposed Poughkeepsie Highland Railroad Bridge carries a scenic pedestrian walkway over the Hudson River.

Also see . . .
1. The Bridge Burned on May 8th of 1974. This would be the last morning that the mile long, 220 feet high, railroad bridge over the Hudson River at Poughkeepsie, would ever serve railroad traffic. Just after noon a freight with E-L colors on the point crossed over heading eastbound. An hour later a fire would close the bridge to all railroad traffic. The bridge would stand, frozen in time until it was reopened as a public walkway some three decades later. (Submitted on February 3, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge - National Archives. National Register of Historic Places documentation (Submitted on January 29, 2024, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)

May 8th, 1974 Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 30, 2019

2. May 8th, 1974 Marker (wide view)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.