Rural, quiet, and bucolic, the Columbia County town of Claverack is lauded by residents as a peaceful place to call home. Sophie Newsome, one of the owners of local distillery Cooper’s Daughter, has resided in the area for 10 years, and cites its location as a major draw. “The proximity to both the city of Hudson and organic farms is what attracted us to Claverack,” she says. “It’s peaceful and filled with historic homes, yet it is adjacent to so many attractions and wonderful things to do from natural walks, art, shopping, and some of the best restaurants.”
Like many Hudson Valley towns, Claverack (pronounced Claw-vrick, according to the town historian) has Dutch roots—some accounts say its name translates roughly to “clover fields,” an appropriate title given its setting. In 1662, settler Jan Franse Van Hoesen bought a large tract of land from the native Mohicans that encompassed present-day Hudson and Greenport; shortly after, a settlement was established (now part of Claverack) which slowly attracted farmers to the area.
Today, agriculture is still a huge part of the local economy in Claverack and the hamlets and village it encompasses (Philmont). Ruins of former mills stand along the Claverack and Agawamuck creeks, as well as homes of the town’s early inhabitants, including the 18th-century Jan Van Hoesen house on NY-66, which belonged to a descendant of Jan Franse.
Neighborhood Stats
Area 47.56 sq. mi.
Population 5,986
Median value of owner-occupied homes $242,100
Family Life
The town of Claverack does not have its own school system but is instead served by two area districts. Depending on where they live, children will either attend the Hudson City School District, with three schools and a total enrollment of 1,605, or the Taconic Hills CSD in Craryville, which has 1,091 students in two schools. For family-oriented programming suited for all ages, head to the Claverack Free Library on Route 9H. (Stop by on Monday evenings to spend time with Harle, a certified therapy dog.)
On the Town
Claverack’s businesses are scattered throughout the town, rather than focused around one main downtown district. Area farms and makers are the heart of the local economy, and residents and visitors alike gather at spots such as Cooper’s Daughter, a farm-to-glass distillery that crafts seasonal, small-batch spirits (liqueur infused with foraged black walnuts is a winter special).
There’s also the Klocke Estate, a distillery that produces brandy from apples and grapes grown on the property; the onsite restaurant serves upscale New American fare for lunch and dinner. Other spots to grab a bite include Coyote Flaco Mexican Bistro; grab-and-go Filli’s Deli and Jersey Baking; and in Philmont, you’ll find farm-to-table restaurant Local 111, as well as the Curbside Café, which operates from May to October at the Philmont Cooperative farm market. For shopping and more restaurants and cafés, residents can drive to neighboring Hudson, which is only 10-15 minutes away.
Get out There
Other than visiting farms—such as MX Morningstar and Churchtown Dairy—the Claverack area has several locales worth exploring. “The people of Claverack all feel lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world,” says Newsome. The High Falls preserve near Philmont features just over a mile of trails that runs along the Agawamuck Creek, ending at an overlook of the county’s tallest waterfall. The site is great for fishing and birding.
There’s also The Campus, an art gallery that opened last summer in an abandoned high school on NY-217; visit its website to find more info on the next installation. And, in the warmer months, golfers can hit the links at the private Columbia Golf & Country Club.
The Town of Claverack remains largely undeveloped (to the delight of those who love living there), but the area continues to attract residents with its pastoral and welcoming vibe. Over the past decade, Newsome observes that “The community has become more diverse, with people moving here from all over the country and beyond. If you are looking for a peaceful place to live and love the outdoors, there is really no place better to be.”
To find a real estate agent in Claverack or any Hudson Valley town check out near-me.hvmag.com/realtors.
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