A number of people have expressed interest in the toll houses on the North Plank Road. There were three, two of which are still, in varied reincarnations, existing. So, for everyone who has been asking, with the help of a few other people who enjoy and promote our history, here are the three of them.

The first one was where George’s Store is, right on the Town of Newburgh / City of Newburgh line, as you turn into North Plank Road from Route 9W. This building is still active and serving our community, though I don’t believe they collect tolls any longer.

The next one is where the Golden Rail is now located. Part of the original toll house is now part of the present building, about where the pool table is I would guess. I personally remember the old building before it was renovated and converted into the Golden Rail. This was done in the 1970’s. Today, no tolls are collected, but you can find an ice cold beverage on a hot summer day.

The third, and last, was where Benedict’s Store was at the corner of Quaker Street and Route 300. The building had been vacant for a number of years prior to it burning down either in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s.

One question which has been posed a couple of times was “was the whole road made of wooden planks?” No, it wasn’t. Planks were used in the low areas which could be soft and muddy due to rains and would cause the wagons or carriages to become stuck. Rather a simple, yet effective solution for the times. And, what better way to pay for maintenance and repair than with a toll for those using the road.

Way back, a trip from Wallkill to Newburgh could take days and if wood planks were not there, people would spend a lot of time trying to maneuver around the really soft areas where both horse and buggy would sink. And, we complain about potholes which slow us down today. Even slowing down today for these, I know the time for the same distance is only probably 20 minutes.

Do you think, those old timers would complain? Not one bit! They’d be doing the happy dance and celebrating!