$427,400Average Value$279Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
A small community with a nostalgic feel
Surrounded by winding creeks, rugged hiking trails and world-class rock climbing, Tillson is tucked within the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Located in the heart of the Hudson Valley and 2 miles south of Rosendale's quaint Main Street, Tillson is among the many small valley communities that attract residents drawn to dreamy landscapes, affordable prices and a small-town lifestyle with artistic quirks. "It's right between New Paltz and Rosendale, so you get the best of both worlds," says Machree Quaker, principal broker at The Machree Group LLC, who has over 20 years of experience in the industry. Winding country roads lead past historic homes and protected woodlands where hidden arts communities range from traveling theater groups to circus aerial performers. "Not much has changed in the last 30 years," says Greg Berardi, principal broker at Berardi Realty, who has been selling homes for decades. "It's like a fun little town stuck in time."
Historic cement mines turned event venues
Between the mid-1800s and the early 1900s, Tillson was a hot spot for natural cement production. This natural resource was used to build iconic landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and parts of the United States Capitol. "We still have architects from New York that compare the cement to see if it can be used for restoration projects in the city," Berardi says. Today, some mines lie abandoned, while others serve as storage spaces, mushroom farms or performance venues. "Iron Mountain is a well-known records storage facility in town," Berardi says. "They store some pretty cool stuff, like celebrity memorabilia." About 3 miles west, the expansive Snyder Estate Natural Cement Historic District is home to the Widow Jane Mine. Today, this former mine is a unique performance venue for concerts, poetry readings and plays.
Events held inside Widow Jane Mine near Tillson include concerts and plays.
The Widow Jane Mine near Tillson is a former cement mine that now serves as a performance venue.
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Hidden arts community
About 20 miles away, Woodstock is known for its historic art colonies and its role in the 1960s music revolution. Woodstock’s influence as an artists’ haven has seeped into surrounding small towns across the valley, such as Tillson. In town, the nearby Stone Mountain Farm is home to year-round art, healing and environmental communities. Events range from environmental-based youth summer camps to Cirque du Soleil-style shows with flying trapeze artists. Then there's the annual Barning Man, the farm's spin on Nevada’s iconic Burning Man festival. Every attendee is an active participant, whether that involves creating a piece of art or providing a space for morning tea and meditations.
Stone Mountain Farm is an arts community tucked away in the woods near Tillson.
A local relaxes at Stone Mountain Farm near Tillson.
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Hikes along the Wallkill Rail Trail
Along New York State Route 32, the Rosendale Community Center is home to the area’s only outdoor swimming pool, open from June to August. Sports facilities range from tennis and pickleball courts to baseball diamonds and basketball courts. Additional amenities include an outdoor pavilion, a playground and a small building for rotating activities like yoga, Zumba and ukelele jams. Across Rondout Creek, Rosendale’s Main Street is home to Pilates and yoga studios. Willow Kiln Park is just behind the local movie theater and offers picnic tables canopied by weeping willow trees that make for a tranquil afternoon.
Willow Kiln Park is also home to trailheads that lead to the expansive, 500-foot-tall Joppenbergh Mountain. Rugged paths weave through woodlands, passing by caves and offering scenic overlooks of Rosendale and Rondout Creek. The creek is also a popular spot for kayakers and anglers. Winding trails eventually lead to the Rosendale Trestle, a 940-foot-long pedestrian walkway that passes over the creek along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. The rail trail meanders along the region's old railroad tracks and spans 22 miles through Ulster County. "The trail starts in Kingston and leads to New Paltz," Berardi says. "In Rosendale, you can get off the trail and explore the village or the creek." With its proximity to the Catskills, Tillson residents are also surrounded by forested areas like Mohonk Preserve and Shaupeneak Ridge Park, where miles of trails, world-class rock climbing and scenic views await.
Winding trails lead up the 500-foot-tall Joppenbergh Mountain in Rosendale.
There are great fishing spots along the Rondout Creek in Tillson.
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Homes for year-round residents and vacation rentals
Much of the tiny hamlet of Tillson is comprised of late 19th-century and early 20th-century homes. Residential streets dotted with towering maples and oak trees give way to a mix of colonial-style farmhouses. Narrow colonials sit next to small cottages and the occasional Cape Cod, while newer bi-level and ranch-style homes are scattered in between. Subdivisions on the western portion of Tillson consist of uniform streets with 20th-century Colonial Revivals, bi-level and ranch-style homes. Private driveways lead to attached one- and two-car garages, while lots are roomy but close enough to wave hello to passing neighbors. Depending on interior updates, house prices in Tillson can range from the upper $300,000s to the upper $600,000s. Surrounded by outdoor recreation, Tillson is also a popular spot for second homes and weekly rentals. "Tillson is one of the few areas around the valley that are very open to vacation rentals," Quaker says. "Surrounding towns have either limited or completely banned them."
Other roads in Tillson feature modest 20th-century bi-levels and ranch-style homes.
You will find beautiful older homes in the Tillson community.
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9-mile drive to Kingston High
Kingston City School District, which earns a B rating from Niche, serves Tillson, and the schools that students are zoned for is about 9 miles away. Kindergarteners through fourth graders may attend Robert R. Graves Elementary School, which scores a B-plus and is ranked as Ulster County’s best public elementary school on Niche. Fifth through eighth graders may attend the B-minus-rated M. Clifford Miller Middle School. The A-minus-rated Kingston High School boasts an active varsity crew team that regularly competes against local high schools along the Hudson River.
Tillson students then go on to M. Clifford Miller Middle School, which earns a B-minus on Niche.
Students from Tillson finish their secondary education at Kingston High School, rated A-minus.
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Main Street's quaint eateries and shops
At night, pink lights illuminate Darlings, an eclectic roadside diner that fronts New York State Route 32. "It's kind of in a random place where no other restaurants are around, but it gets a lot of foot traffic," Quaker says. "It's a nice place to go with friends. They sometimes have karaoke nights, DJs and live music." Patrons can enjoy local musicians in the outdoor garden dotted with pink picnic tables and umbrellas. The color theme continues in its famous appetizer, beet-pickled deviled eggs, which also come in hues of pink. About 2 miles north, Rosendale's tiny Main Street is lined with locally owned eateries and quaint shops. Santa Fe Burger Bar's showstopping milkshakes include strawberry shakes topped with an entire piece of pound cake and fresh strawberries. "The Garden House is another really fun place," Berardi says. "They have live music, an outdoor bar and kitchen, and little tables scattered around the grass. It's laid-back and hippy-like, which fits the town's vibe."
Main Street's retailers include tattoo shops, thrift stores and the occasional art gallery. At Postmark Books, blooming flower bouquets for sale are scattered around stocked bookshelves. Residents can shop for vintage finds at Clubhouse Vintage, while others can peruse gourmet products at The Big Cheese. Route 32 is home to shops like Dollar General and MyTown Marketplace for everyday essentials. "The market is like a step back in time,” Berardi says of MyTown, where the 1990s interior looks the same as it did 30 years ago. “It hasn't changed a bit, but people love it.” Locals can also shop for fresh produce at the Rosendale Farmers Market every Sunday from June to October.
Getting around on Route 32
Tillson is a car-dependent community, as public transportation options are limited. About 1 mile away, Rosendale is home to one Ulster County Area Transit bus stop along New York State Route 32. The Trailways bus also runs through Tillson and Rosendale, attracting day trippers from New York City. This small hamlet also borders the New York State Thruway, which leads residents about 64 miles north to Albany International Airport and 90 miles south to New York City. New York Stewart International Airport is about 31 miles away but has a limited flight schedule. Residents are also about 9 miles from Kingston's HealthAlliance Hospital.
Written By
Lillie Duston
Photography Contributed By
Jerome Strauss
Video By
Tyler Newbold
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Steven Asher Cohen,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Tillson, NY sell after 61 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Tillson, NY over the last 12 months is $470,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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