Pawling, New York

Pawling, a town located in Dutchess County, New York, is filled with rich history.  Surrounded by beautiful country landscapes and distinctive architecture, Pawling is near interstate transportation and has two Metro-North train stops. 

The Quaker Meeting House, which is registered on the National Register of Historic Places, still stands today and welcomes visitors.  George Washington established his headquarters at the John Kane House for two months in 1778. Pawling also is home to the oldest public golf course in the United States, the Dutcher Golf Course, which is still in use. The Pawling Corporation, which manufactures rubber and plastic products, is headquartered there.

According to the town’s website, residents enjoy tennis courts, two lakes and more than 300 acres of parkland.  “The Great Swamp, Appalachian Trail and Nature Conservancy offer outdoor enthusiasts opportunities aplenty. In a community steeped in benevolence, dozens of volunteer organizations provide everything from tours of Washington's headquarters to a staffed Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center.”

 Pawling also has been home to many celebrities and well-known people.  “Admiral John Lorimar Worden, the captain of the ironclad Monitor lived on Quaker Hill as did General Lew Wallace, the author of Ben Hur,” notes the town’s website.  “Governor Thomas Dewey moved to Pawling in 1938 at the urging of his friend Lowell Thomas, who developed Quaker Hill in Pawling as we know it today. In 1944 the two presidential candidates, Thomas Dewey and Franklin Roosevelt were both from Dutchess County! Edward R. Murrow made Pawling his home as did Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking.”

 The town also has many excellent private and public learning institutions, houses of worship and theatres.

Photo Credit: Rolf Müller