Rhymes with Orange

Goshen & Middletown

by Atticus Lanigan and photographs by Steffen Thalemann, March 29, 2011

To view a photo slideshow of Middletown & Goshen, click here.
At the center of Goshen lies a busy intersection with five arms leading to various points in Orange County. Daily traffic slides through, past a row of sycamore trees, the red-bricked sidewalk, and a large public green known as Village Square. The village spreads out from there into a neighborhood that includes original commercial buildings and large Victorian homes. Goshen grew up due to its proximity to the Black Dirt region, its role in the rise of dairy farming, and the development of its rail station in the 1840s, and its central location. Goshen’s early glory can easily be detected in its historically significant structures, examples of which include the 19th century townhouses known as Lawyer’s Row, the 1913 Tudor style Harness Racing Museum and Trotter Hall of Fame, the 1841 Greek Revival Courthouse, and the 1871 First Presbyterian Church whose spire can be seen for miles outside of town.

Underlying Goshen’s success is its status as county seat, designated in 1878. Testimony to its importance is Main Street’s Orange County Government Center, a 1970 brutalist work designed by Paul Rudolph. Although the striking edifice is revered by architectural enthusiasts, it has been subject to criticism due to structural inefficiency. Many of its 87 roofs leak and the cost of heating it is prohibitive. County Executive Edward Diana has been a proponent of replacing the complex, saying in 2010, “If I took a poll in town, it would be demolished tomorrow.”

The threat of demolition has spurred a movement, spearheaded by Nancy Kearing, a former member of the architecture firm I. M. Pei & Partners. Kearing says of the Rudolph building, “When I walk into it I am in awe of that space; how the light comes in such powerful ways.” Kearing has caught the attention of several preservation organizations including the National Trust for Historical Preservation and Preservation League of New York and will be holding a forum with architectural experts on the building’s historic value on April 16 at the Seligman Homestead in Sugar Loaf.

Slow-Motion Goshen
Midday, midweek Goshen thrives. Aside from the daily activities of its nearly 5,600 people, the village bustles with businesses that are within walking distance of the Government Center. There are professional offices that house lawyers, title insurance companies and engineers. There’s Baxter’s Pharmacy, Joe Fix It’s Bike Shop, High Withers Wine & Spirits, two hardware stores, and Linda’s Office Supply for those running lunch errands. There are eateries that span from upscale Italian to take-out, to those offering Greek, Mexican, Asian, and American fare.

Government brings daily visitors but, at the end of the workday, the center of town falls asleep. One entrepreneur is looking to change the habits of fellow Goshenites and draw people out in the evening. Dave Prosser grew up in Goshen but spent most of his adult life living in various locations around the country. He describes how he returned after 25 years to find a bedroom community: “A lot of buildings have been restored. What used to be farms are now fields of huge homes. The village has become ‘drive-thru’ versus the ‘walking’ village it once was.” In response to his encounter with “slow-motion Goshen,” Prosser opened Big Dave’s Barbecue to expand the pool of options for Goshen families. His menu is dominated by Eastern North Carolina barbecue for meat lovers and vegetarian selections like build-your-own mac & cheese. He also brings a spark to the center of town by offering evening music events Wednesday through Saturday where parents can have a night out with their children.