During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many people came to the Northern Pascack Valley and Rockland County seeking relief from the city heat. The introduction of railroad transportation into this area in 1871 made this possible, and Montvale was one of the favorite destinations. Literally hundreds of people stayed in Montvale at country retreats/summer resorts bearing such names as Puel's Cottage and Sunny Terrace. However, the only two resort sites that can be identified as being in existence today are the Octagon Cottage, known historically as the J.J. Blauvelt (Octagon) House, and The Clymbers.
The Clymbers is an eclectic style structure, drawing on the full spectrum of architectural tradition. The building is of two stories and surfaced with cedar clapboard siding. It appears that additions were made to the main body.
The house has a dual pitched mansard roof, which is French Eclectic and/or Chateauesque. The high roof is nearly flat topped. An arc-shaped clerestory eyebrow window in the roof is a Richardson Romanesque detail. The heads of the upper story windows are above the gutter line (i.e., through the cornice).
The wraparound porch, which was replaced in the latter half of the 20th century, is Victorian (substyle – Queen Anne).
The Clymbers includes a main structure, a carriage house, a well enclosure and other outbuildings. It is in an excellent state of repair. It is significant in that it represents a period and a tradition in the Borough's history (that of the turn-of-the-century country retreat/summer resort) better than any other extant site in Montvale.