From E. M. Vanderburg, County Supt. of the Poor, Dutchess
County
Report to the Board of Supervisors 1866
Dutchess Board of Supervisors Proceedings 1866

. . . I have expended little in alterations to the Building for Lunatics . . . . fully believing that the system of treating Lunatics at the County House is in no way adapted to their unfortunate conditions . . . .


The Legislature of our State has passed a law to erect an Asylum to be located on the Hudson for such persons where they can be taken and receive the benefit of proper and systematic treatment. When this desirable object is attained, the County will be relieved from further trouble on this account.

Dec. 3, 1866 Meeting of the Board of Supervisors:
Mr. Simmons presented the following:

The undersigned, Chairman of the committee of citizens of said city, which committee were invested with the power to adopt such measures as they might deem proper to secure the location in the County of the New York State Asylum, to be erected as some suitable point on the Hudson River ; begs leave to represent that he has been instructed by said committee, to submit for your consideration, the following communication.

It is the general belief that the County of Dutchess would derive many advantages (not necessary now to repeat), from the presence of such an institution within the bounds of this County. It is the opinion of the committee that $50,000 may be required to secure the result.

The State Commissioners are to meet for a final decision in the city of Hudson , tomorrow. And whatever action is to be taken by the county cannot be longer deferred.

Mr. Simmons offered the following resolution:

Resolved that there be raised on the Bonds of the County of Dutchess two-fifths of such sum as shall be necessary to secure the location of a State Lunatic Asylum on the Rosevelt[sic] property and the Davies property, north of the City of Poughkeepsie, said two-fifths not to exceed $34,000, provided the State shall so locate it, and provided the City of Poughkeepsie shall raise such additional sum as shall be necessary to secure its location therein.

Resolved, That our Senator and Members of Assembly be requested to prosure [sic] the passage of a law authorizing the issue of such Bonds, payable in not less than 10 years, nor more than 20 years, with interested payable annually at 7 percent per annum.

[On Amendment - the addition of the Wolcott and Brinkerhoff property in the Town of Fishkill was added as a possible location in addition to the Roosevelt and Davies property]

[Resolution Carried - 11 ayes 2 Nays.]

[From a Historical Perspective, it certainly appears that the Roosevelt and Davies property won out when the State Commissioners met nearly 140 years ago. It further appears that our forefathers had a vested interest in the location of the New York State Asylum in Dutchess County - This is our History! - Ginny - March 2006]
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Sunday Courier
Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co. Newspaper
July 9, 1876
"The contract for erecting a kitchen and an adjoining building at the Hudson River State Hospital has been awarded to Mr. George E. Broas of this city.  His bid was $57,900.  The highest bidders were Baker & Miller, 89,600."

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July 11, 1877 Brooklyn Daily Eagle [Among other items listed under"Current Events"]

The contract for the completion of the centre building of the Hudson River State Hospital, has been awarded to George E. Broas of Poughkeepsie for $48,745. Work will be commenced immediately.

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Sunday August 30, 1914 Sunday Courier
Weekly Newspaper Published at Poughkeepsie Dutchess County, NY
"DEATH OF OAKLEY OSBORN"
[*Mrs. Osborn was Leah M. IRELAND, daughter of Elias Hillhouse IRELAND and
Emma WHITBECK]

The death of Oakley OSBORN occurred yesterday in POUGHKEEPSIE, after a long and trying illness. Mr. OSBORNE was the son of Judge Abijah and Sarah CASWELL OSBORN. He was born in Herkimer, N. Y., April 3, 1839. He attended school at Wilbraham Academy and at the Collegiate Institute on College Hill, now the Riverview Military Academy. He was the oldest living member of the Alumni of this school. As a boy he earned his first money in Herkimer driving cows for his uncle, General Francis SPINNER, who afterwards became United States Treasurer.

About 1844, Judge OSBORN retired to an estate 3 1/2 miles from ALBANY, where he built a unique residence of twenty-two rooms, the building being in the form of a maltese cross. As his three sons married they settled on parts of the estate and together established a roofing business in ALBANY. In 1864, Mr. OSBORN and family moved his family to this city and continued in the same line of work, having offices both here and in New York City. 

Among the large buildings roofed were the Morgan Library. The Infant Hospital on Bedford Island, New York, and part of the main building and some of the cottages of the HUDSON RIVER STATE HOSPITAL, POUGHKEEPSIE.

He was one of the oldest members of the Washington M. E. Church and at one time a class leader there. To him his religion was always a controlling force and he leaves the records of a noble, upright life, true to the highest ideals.

Last November, Mr. and Mrs. Osborn* celebrated the 60th anniversary of their marriage.

Six children are now living: John Cookman, Albert Harvey and Frances of New York City, Mrs. George W. DOBBS, of Yonkers, Miss Harriet L. a missionary to China and Miss Emma N. a teacher in one of Poughkeepsie's public schools.

Circa 2004/5

NOW - Route 9 Spoils the View

Circa 1683/4

THEN - The View the Indians Saw