Stockade District in Kingston in Ulster County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Story of Historic Kingston

Then & Now

Elston's and The Elks Club Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2024

1. Elston's and The Elks Club Marker

Inscription.

The Story of Historic Kingston. Then and Now. , When the Stockade was established in the 17th century, a narrow lane called Dover Street ran from John Street to North Front Street. By 1830, Fair Street had been added and Dover Street lost its name and became a continuation of it, as noted on the Miller Map. Fair Street was extended to Greenkill Avenue in 1840 and Fair Street Extension opened when the O&W Railroad built its Kingston depot. , The Fair Street Historic District was designated in 1988 to acknowledge the area between St. James Street and Franklin Street that is home to the former residences of affluent business leaders who began building homes in the 1850s in a variety of architectural styles, including Italianate, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival. The Saint James Methodist Church is included in the historic district. , Elston’s was an electronics and hobby shop that started in the Kingston Opera House on Fair Street and moved across the street to the location seen above right and at top. , It was chock-full of merchandise and is fondly remembered by Kingstonians to this day. One recalls that her family opened an account that allowed her to buy only books. Others anxiously awaited the new collection of Lionel trains every Christmas. The latest radios and televisions were available as well as puzzles, toys, and games for the kids. Bicycles, chemistry sets, dolls, records, Scout uniforms, base-ball gloves, you name it , Elston's was a fun store to peruse. , The Elks Club was located in the building next to the steamroller in the top photograph. The letters B.P.O.E. stand for Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. , The fraternal order was originally founded as a social club in 1868 in New York City. The Kingston location was demolished circa 1970 and replaced by the parking lot to your left. , Excerpted from our 500-page book, The Story of Historic Kingston, featuring 950 images. The book is for sale online and at local shops. Information about all Blauweiss Media's books, films, exhibitions, presentations, walks, talks, and more can be found on our website (below). , Designed and created by Blauweiss Media. Printed and installed by Timely Signs. , HudsonValleyHistoryAndArt.com

When the Stockade was established in the 17th century, a narrow lane called Dover Street ran from John Street to North Front Street. By 1830, Fair Street had been added and Dover Street lost its name and became a continuation of it, as noted on the Miller Map. Fair Street was extended to Greenkill Avenue in 1840 and Fair Street Extension opened when the O&W Railroad built its Kingston depot.

The Fair Street Historic District was designated in 1988 to acknowledge the area between St. James Street and Franklin Street that is home to the former residences of affluent business leaders who began building homes in the 1850s in a variety of architectural styles, including Italianate, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival. The Saint James Methodist Church is included in the historic district.

Elston’s was an electronics and hobby shop that started in the Kingston Opera House on Fair Street and moved across the street to the location seen above right and at top.

It was chock-full of merchandise and is fondly remembered by Kingstonians to this day. One recalls that her family opened an account that allowed her to buy only books. Others anxiously awaited the new collection of Lionel trains every Christmas. The latest radios and televisions were available as well as puzzles, toys, and games for the kids. Bicycles, chemistry sets, dolls, records, Scout uniforms, base-ball gloves, you name it — Elston's was a fun store to peruse.

The Elks Club was located in the building next to the steamroller in the top photograph. The letters B.P.O.E. stand for Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

The fraternal order was originally founded as a social club in 1868 in New York City. The Kingston location was demolished circa 1970 and replaced by the parking lot to your left.

Excerpted from our 500-page book, The Story of Historic Kingston, featuring 950 images. The book is for sale online and at local shops. Information about all Blauweiss Media's books, films, exhibitions, presentations, walks, talks, and more can be found on our website (below).
Designed and created by Blauweiss Media. Printed and installed by Timely Signs.
HudsonValleyHistoryAndArt.com

Erected by Blauweiss

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Media and Timely Signs.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 41° 55.993′ N, 74° 1.091′ W. Marker is in Kingston, New York, in Ulster County. It is in the Stockade District. It is on Fair Street just south of John Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is mounted at eye-level on the west/front facade of the former Elston's building at this location. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 260 Fair Street, Kingston NY 12401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Hudson Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

Marker detail: Looking down Fair Street toward Main Street, 1940’s. image. Click for full size.

Bob Haines Collection

2. Marker detail: Looking down Fair Street toward Main Street, 1940’s.

The Singer store is at far left, Elk’s Club is behind the steamroller, Elston’s is to the right, followed by Kingston Trust Company. At far right is the old Ulster County Building and tower of St. James Church.

A different marker also named The Story of Historic Kingston (here, next to this marker); One Hundred and Twentieth Infantry New York Volunteers (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Blockhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Kingston (within shouting distance of this marker); “The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the Town of Kingston in Ulster County” (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Story of Historic Kingston (about 300 feet away); George Clinton (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingston.

Marker detail: Elston’s, circa 1948 image. Click for full size.

Courtesy City of Kingston

3. Marker detail: Elston’s, circa 1948

From a series of photographs taken by the City Assessor’s Office for tax purposes.

Marker detail: Elks Lodge, circa 1910 image. Click for full size.

Blake Jackson Collection

4. Marker detail: Elks Lodge, circa 1910

(left) Elks Lodge; (right) Looking down Fair Street toward Main Street from Elks Lodge

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2024

5. Elston's and The Elks Club Marker

This marker is the leftmost of two interpretive panels mounted on the right-front window of the former Elston’s building at this location.

Elston's Building (2024) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2024

6. Elston's Building (2024)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 203 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.