by Art Hansen and Kieron Kramer
This classic brick building on NY 67, referred to by some as the David Matthews House and by others as the State Line House, was built by Matthews in 1794. The New York-Vermont border runs through the middle of the property and the house. [private]The New York portion is recorded as Deed #1 in the Rensselaer County book. The stone border marker is easily seen in front of the house.
Matthews died in 1811. In 1905 the owners were the Allens. The house had 9 bedrooms at that time. It was a night spot in the seventies with liquor served on the NY side of the large first floor room and dancing on the Vermont side. The drinking age in NY was 18 then while it was 21 in Vermont. The building was damaged by fire in 1984.
It had been placed on the Hoosic Valley Historic Register before the present owner, Floyd Cottrell, purchased it in 1986 and refurbished it.
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