Have you ever dreamt about living in an old train station? Every now and again old, restored train stations converted into residences appear on the market. The Harlem Division’s former Sharon station is one such example that we’ve posted on the site before. Today’s station was previously featured once before, but in the years since we last visited there have been more renovations, and the place looks gorgeous. In fact, it is practically ready for you to move right in!

Lagrange station… the spot where I’m standing is where the tracks once were.

Really though, the place is full of history. What train buff doesn’t love that? The station here was first established in 1869 as part of the Dutchess and Columbia Railroad, which later became the Newburgh, Dutchess and Connecticut Railroad. Although Lagrange (also called Lagrangeville at times) was certainly not the most important station on the line, it warranted the construction of a small station building which had a ticket window and waiting area for passengers.

Timetable which shows Lagrange station from 1873

Timetables which shows Lagrange station, circa 1900 at left, and an excursion train from 1869.

A collection of historical items from the station’s long history.

After selling his business in Pennsylvania, Pete Roberts bought the old station in 2007, with the goal of restoring it to “keep busy.” Over the subsequent years he restored the station to beauty, and converted it into a residence. The old ticket window still exists, though the ticket office has been turned into a kitchen. The former waiting area is now a perfect living room/sitting area. A hidden foldaway staircase provides access to a loft above the old ticket office. The loft has space for a bed, but could be used for other various purposes.

  
   

Some of the later restoration work on the station. Unfortunately there were no photographs taken of the station before the restoration began.

Since our last visit, the most changes have happened with the loft. Formerly accessed by a big and clunky ladder, the loft now has a railing and a hidden folding staircase. Along with the furnishings, which also were absent the last time we visited, the place really looks like a home. For anybody interested in learning about the place, or giving in to their secret desire to live in an old train station, you can find info here and here. Alternately, you can email Pete directly at pete@theharlemline.com.

 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 

Anyways, here are some photos, and historical photos, of the station in LaGrange, NY. It was once part of the Newburgh, Dutchess and Connecticut Railroad, but the tracks were removed a long time ago. It is amusing to me that there are many towns in New York (and other states) that have roads named for the railroad, even though in many of those places the railroad is gone. In this former station’s case, it sits on Depot Lane… and from the outside that may be the only clue as to what this building was once used for.

The building has been beautifully restored, and the inside still has the old ticket window. There is also an artificial fireplace, and when the doorbell is rung it makes train sounds. If you have more money than this poor blogger, it is also for sale. It is actually owned by Lou Grogan’s brother-in-law… who I think is probably one of the funniest people I’ve ever met in my life. He did a pretty great job of having this place restored… an extant former train station in this condition is always a great find, and an even better place to take photos. :D

I’m going to go back to sleep now. Maybe that will make the room stop spinning.