For centuries, U.S. Route 209 was one of the busiest roads in the entire region, a major thoroughfare between the Hudson and Delaware rivers. In the late 1600s, several communities cropped up, including quaint Stone Ridge in central Ulster County.
A registered historical district, Stone Ridge’s Main Street (on 209) is lined with limestone buildings dating to the 18th century, including the circa-1767 Cornelius E. Wynkoop House (which hosted General George Washington in 1782), the 1798 Stone Ridge Library, and the 1750 Hasbrouck House, which is now an upscale restaurant and inn.
A hamlet of Marbletown, Stone Ridge encompasses six square miles, and as of the 2020 census, has a population of 1,234. Laurel Sweeney, who owns BHHS Nutshell Realty and Stone Ridge Wine and Spirits with her husband Tim, has been a resident since 1984 and cites the community as the reason she’s stayed put. “Everyone gets along, from the most prestigious in their industry to the most modest. All of us love our vistas, our open land, our forests, and the small businesses.”
The Culture
Stone Ridge’s arts scene is small but impressive. On Main, Marbletown Multi-Arts (MaMA) hosts a variety of creative and wellness classes, like Rhythm Kids music sessions for ages 4–8 and adult meditative dancing. The art studio Merge hosts rotating exhibits in their space on Schoonmaker Lane, and Blue Marble Arts shows the work of local painter Marilyn Reynolds in the Old Stone Ridge Firehouse.
At Stone Ridge Orchard (Route 213), you can enjoy concerts and festivals throughout the year, and there’s live music every Saturday night at Lydia’s Café on Old Highway 209—the Bob Meyer Trio jazz band will be performing on Saturday, December 2.
Family Life
Children attend the public Rondout Valley Central School District or the private High Meadow School, which educates students from preschool through 8th grade. High Meadow also provides programs for the public, including afterschool care, parent-child classes, and summer camp. Stone Ridge is also home to the main campus of SUNY Ulster. In addition to offering college classes, the public institution offers a variety of private music and art lessons, driving safety courses, and language classes.
On the Town
“We’re really fortunate for a small town to have so many great restaurants along the Route 209 corridor,” says Marbletown supervisor Rich Parete. These include: Black Dot, a café with specialty coffee and breakfast plates; The Roost and Hash eateries, which serve up classic American breakfasts and sandwiches; Upstate Taco for authentic Mexico City fare; retro roadside Cherries for ice cream, burgers, and fries; Momiji Sushi & Grill for rolls and bento boxes; and Butterfield, a farm-to-table restaurant at Hasbrouck House.
Shopping options range from Field & Barn, a pop-up antique shop, Homegrown Floriculture for custom floral arrangements, and Stone Ridge Wine & Spirits to Stone Ridge Orchard’s farm stand for local produce and pantry goods, and MyTown Marketplace grocery.
Surrounded by wilderness, the hamlet is close to a variety of recreation options such as the 27-mile O&W Rail Trail, which connects Kingston to Ellenville and runs through Stone Ridge, fishing at Stone Ridge Pond, and additional hiking trails a short drive away in High Falls, Rosendale, and throughout Marbletown.
According to Parete, a lifelong resident, Stone Ridge has seen an influx of newcomers, especially since the pandemic, which he thinks is a good thing. “I find that new people just love this town so much and appreciate our history,” he says. Sweeney’s advice to those considering making Stone Ridge home? “Come, enjoy, and stay! Say hello to everyone you see, check out our farm markets, and walk the rail trail. There truly is something for everyone.”
To find a real estate agent in Stone Ridge or any Hudson Valley town check out near-me.hvmag.com/realtors.
Related: Upstate Taco Dishes Mexico City-Inspired Eats in Stone Ridge
