UNIFORM RENTAL SERVICES FOR POUGHKEEPSIE, NY

Poughkeepsie, NY Businesses trust Dempsey.

Back in the colonial period, road communications with interior settlements far from coastal waters were practically nonexistent. Thankfully, the mighty Hudson River facilitated both communications and trade and was ideally suited for this purpose. The Hudson is quite deep, easily navigable, and rarely freezes over in winter. Poughkeepsie’s nickname, Queen of the Hudson, is highly appropriate. As a critical nexus that connected the interior settlements to New York City and the world beyond, Poughkeepsie was a key trading hub. Its prominence only increased with the construction of the Erie Canal in 1820 and the development of railroads in the 1830s. Trade drove economic development via grain mills, logging, and other manufacturing processes, driving Poughkeepsie’s growth and contributing to the nation’s prosperity.

By the 19th century, Poughkeepsie had become a major industrial hub. When Matthew Vassar arrived from England, he took a great interest in development. He founded the brewery M.Vassar & Co. and contributed to the city’s economic expansion by helping found the Poughkeepsie Savings Bank, the Poughkeepsie Whaling Company, and the famous Vassar College, one of the first women’s colleges in the United States. Vasser sloops were in demand, transporting Poughkeepsie-made products up and down the Hudson. In later years, Matthew Vasser Jr. and John Guy Vasser founded Vasser Brothers Hospital, now known as Vasser Brothers Medical Center, one of the top 1% of hospitals in the nation and home to the region’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

By the 20th century, Poughkeepsie had undergone yet another period of transition, becoming a center for the development of communications and computer technology, with IBM as a major employer. Poughkeepsie is the site of IBM’s Quantum Computer development, which includes the future “large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer styled as Quantum Starling”, scheduled for completion in 2029. Another major industrial employer in Poughkeepsie is Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC (Onsemi), located in East Fishkill, just outside the city. This facility, Onsemi’s largest fabrication plant in North America, is a major manufacturer of 300mm microchips, a key component of high-volume semiconductor manufacturing.

At the end of the 20th century, the country descended into a manufacturing slump, and Poughkeepsie was not immune. However, the city’s history of innovation and evolution paid big dividends. In addition to thriving high-tech manufacturing, higher education in the area also progressed, with Vassar’s expansion and the addition of Marist University and Dutchess Community College. Students flocked to the region to pursue higher education, enjoy the gorgeous scenery, and immerse themselves in the community’s upbeat vibe. By this time, the Hudson Valley’s famous natural beauty had become a real business and a source of economic vitality for the city of Poughkeepsie. Now, more people than ever before visit Poughkeepsie to explore the woods, hike the mountains, and sail the Hudson. Visitors to the historical and art museums take every opportunity to soak up the unique culture that’s always been the cornerstone of Poughkeepsie’s charm and success. Bowdoin Park comprises more than 300 acres of picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields, hiking trails, and wetland observation areas. Another great place to experience an adventure is the 159-acre Peach Hill Park, a former orchard with the highest elevation in town, often referred to as the Mount Everest of Poughkeepsie. Hikers who can successfully navigate the trails are rewarded with exhilarating views of the valley, the Hudson Highlands, and the Catskills. It’s quite the sight.