Taconic State Parkway an important route in the Hudson Valley
The Taconic State Parkway connects Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess and Columbia Counties in New York State's Hudson Valley Region. It is approximately 105 mile scenic route and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
President Franklin Roosevelt, himself a Duchess County resident, was instrumental in getting this project going. The plan was that this route would give easy access to the local parks.
The construction started in 1927 in Westchester County, followed by the section in Putnam County and Southern Dutchess County. Next, construction continued in the rest of Dutchess County and Southern Columbia and finally the remainder of the parkway in Columbia County was completed in 1963. So, the entire project took about 36 years to complete.
The Taconic State Parkway or, simply the Taconic as it is referred to, was the road to take when someone wanted to take a Sunday drive in the country. Besides being scenic it is also a narrow winding road. Over the years efforts have been made to widen it and make it less steep in certain sections. Other changes over the years included closing certain cross streets due to safety issues.
As people migrated to Dutchess County in large number to get away from the higher home prices and cost of living in the counties further south, the Taconic became even more important to the economy of the region. Although housing was less costly in Dutchess many still had to commute to Westchester for work and for many the Taconic was the route of choice. I know this to be a fact as I was one of those commuters.
This is also the route many from New York City and Westchester take to go to their second homes, so traffic is usually very heavy heading north on Friday night and heading south Sunday afternoon. The Taconic is the type of road you might be tempted to go fast on, however, keep in mind it is well covered by the New York State police so your joy ride could be spoiled by a ticket.
This is the Taconic Parkway in Southern Dutchess near Fishkill
Taconic Parkway at Salt Point NY
Taconic State Parkway in Northern Dutchess County
Jennifer Fivelsdal - JFIVE HOMES REALTY LLC - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com
www.jfivehomes.com or www.midhudsonhomevalue.com
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Copyright © by Jennifer Fivelsdal, all rights reserved-Taconic State Parkway an important route in the Hudson Valley
Jennifer Fivelsdal - JFIVE HOMES REALTY LLC - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com
www.jfivehomes.com or www.midhudsonhomevalue.com
Great photos and lots of great information, Jennifer. Although I do have one complaint - must you flaunth the greenness when I'm really sick of desert brown right now? LOL
So cool to know the history. I drive on the Taconic very often (but usually in Westchester). I'm from Chappaqua, so everytime I go home or to my BNI mtg in Pleasantville or to my customers in Pleasantville, Briarcliff, Ossining or Yorktown I go that way.
When I was younger, we would always drive there to go to my grandparents' in Yorktown and I remember driving upstate on this road when going to camp, so it always has nice memories for me.
thank for sharing the great picts. I've been there!
I guess the old scenic road has changed from what it used to be although it still is quite scenic!
Again you show me that NY is not all bricks, sidewalks, skyscrapers and traffic jams! I will make a return trip!
Juli but I enjoy your beautiful desert pictures. In a few weeks the fall foliage will be in full swing and a ride up the Taconic is worth the trip.
Debbie I can see how your trip up the Taconic would produce some fond memories.
Bill - It has. I remember after passing Peekill Hollow Road heading north, the Taconic was so steep, narrow and a bit scary. With some blasting it was widened and made flatter.
Gary - New York State has lots of wide open spaces. I think you would enjoy a trip here.
What a great route to take a Sunday stroll on... beautiful and lush looking, should be on the top ten things to do.
Jennifer, this really looks like a beautiful and relaxing route to take into the congested areas around NYC. You have such beautiful country where you live!
I love these posts with a bit of history. I never new these type of scenic road existed in New York... What a lovely drive.
Jennifer - I continue to enjoy your historic glimpses into special places in your area. You represent your area so very well!
I always like driving underneath the stone built overpasses, they definitely have give off that nostalgic feeling to me of a historical area.
Jennifer I don't think that I have ever been on the Taconic State Parkway, but it looks like it would be a beautiful scenic drive.
Great job Jenn. Yes the Taconic is definitely a place to get tickets for sure. The state police are a heavy presence there from beginning to end. It is a great road to drive in the fall because the foliage view is just extraordinary.
Jennifer - I love the scenic drive on the TSP, however there is no margin for error. It can be a very dangerous highway when people exceed the speed limits. Thank goodness this road is so well patrolled.