
PHOTOS: The Rare ‘Gnome Houses’ On Route 9 Explained
If you've spent any time driving on Route 9, you may have noticed some mysterious structures on the side of the road that look like they were pulled straight out of a fairytale.
While some things in the Hudson Valley seem to leave as soon as they get here (looking at you, Spirit Halloween), others are tied to rich history that goes back hundreds of years. That's where these tiny "houses" come into play.
Mystery "Houses" Along Route 9
"Could anyone tell me what these are along Route 9? They’re so interesting!", came a recent question in a community Facebook group. The small structures (below) drew a lot of speculation.
Guesses About the "Gnome Homes" in the Hudson Valley
"Abandoned gnome houses", joked one commenter. "I always thought they were gravestones but I could be totally wrong!", ventured another. The answer goes all the way back to the 1700s.
Historic Postal Mile Markers in the Hudson Valley
These objects are actually historic mile markers that were used by the United States Postal Service. Protective stone masonry was built around some original markers in the 1930s, giving the appearance of a small houses. Here's how they worked:
The History of Albany Post Road
The mile markers, which can be found along Route 9 between New York City and Albany, would denote how far a postal worker had travelled, and helped calculate how much postage was owed. Route 9 is also known as Albany Post Road... as in the road postal workers would take to Albany. But why are some in cages?

The majority of these markers were created in the 1700s, and the remaining examples are not only rare, but in need of protection. In 2015, an additional fence was erected around the protective "house" at 2323 South Road in Poughkeepsie to keep the marker intact.
These aren't the only antique mile markers in the Hudson Valley. Users of local rail trails may have noticed what might appear to be gravestones along their walks (above). Instead of helping postal workers, these mile markers denote how far a train has travelled north from Grand Central Station.
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