PHOTOS: Surprise History Behind Famous Hudson Valley Restaurant

One of the most popular restaurants in the Hudson Valley is hiding some surprising history.

As one of the oldest towns in New York state, Newburgh, NY has fascinating stories around nearly every corner. While George Washington's Headquarters might be its most famous landmark, another building just down the block is associated with another world-famous name.

Hudson Taco in Newburgh, NY has some very famous history (Google)

Famous History of Hudson Taco in Newburgh, NY

It seems like Hudson Taco in Newburgh, NY hasn't seen a slow night since they opened in 2018. No matter the time of day or day of the week, cars and motorcycles are always parked outside their building on South Water Street. What diners may not know, however, is the famous history of the building itself.

When it was first built in the early 1900s, the building at 27 South Water Street in Newburgh, NY used to be a train station (Google)

Hudson Taco in Newburgh, NY Used to Be a Train Station

It shouldn't come as a surprise that the building that houses Hudson Taco and the Pizza Shop (both part of the Cosimo family of restaurants) used to be a train station. While the nearby tracks now carry freight trains with stacks of shipping containers, they once used to bring curious tourists from New York City to enjoy the beautiful Hudson Valley. Then there's the detail about who designed the building...

The Famous History of Hudson Taco in Newburgh, NY

The West Shore Train Station (no points for creativity, as they were feet from the western shore of the Hudson River) opened in the early 1900s and was designed by a firm called Warren and Wetmore. While the name itself may not be recognizable, the firm is attached to one of the most famous buildings in the country.

From the 1950s to 2009, the former West Shore Station in Newburgh, NY sat abandoned. Now, it houses one of the Hudson Valley's favorite restaurants (Google)

Newburgh, NY's Tie with Grand Central Station

Founded in 1887, Warren & Wetmore lent their names to more than 300 projects, but none may be more renowned than the bustling structure still in use in New York City. Four years after Newburgh, NY's West Shore Station was built, Warren & Wetmore went on to design Grand Central Station.

The same architectural firm that design the building that now houses Hudson Taco in Newburgh, NY also designed Grand Central Station (Google)

History of Newburgh, NY

While a fire in 1958 forced the closure of the West Shore Station, history was thankfully not done with the building. Trains may no longer stop at the "station", but customers at Hudson Taco are continuing the tradition of enjoying Newburgh, NY every time they walk in the door. Check out some other great waterfront options in Newburgh below.

Newburgh New York Water Front Restaurants

It has boats. It has entertainment and boy does it have an amazing selection of food and drink. Take in the beautiful Newburgh Waterfront on the historic Hudson River while enjoying top-shelf food and drink. Fine and casual dining with a backdrop of the Hudson River from the Newburgh Beacon Bridge to the north and Bannerman's castle to the south. Watch the river and the boats go by while enjoying every type of food you can imagine from pizza to seafood to steaks to barbeques even tacos you can have it all at these Newburgh Waterfront restaurants.

Gallery Credit: Paty Quyn

LOOK! Abandoned Orange County Chopper HQs in Newburgh-TLC's 'American Chopper'

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

In 2003, a father-son business reality show hit the Discovery Channel. It was called American Chopper and it followed the custom motorcycle-building business of the Teutul family out of Newburgh, NY. Paul Sr. owned the shop with sons Paul Jr. and Mikey working in the business. There was a slew of cast and characters. The center of the show wasn't just the amazing custom motorcycles built for celebrities and others, it was the volatile relationship between Sr. and Jr. The show ran for 12 seasons before the two could no longer get along. It ended up in lawsuits and the two not talking for ten-plus years. In the past few years, the business moved to Florida. This left the 61,000-square-foot headquarters for sale and abandoned. Take a look at what remains of Orange County Choppers.