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"The Towne of Albany is an Ancient Towne '*
(Testimony of the Dongan Charter, 1686)
ALBANY
GUIDE BOOR
" Let us go out into pleasant places
Mellowed by shadows of days of old"
ALBANY
J. B. LYON COMPANY, PRINTERS
19 I 7
■A S W^J
Copyright, 1917
BY
John D. Whish
All Rights Reserved
•UN II 1917
©aA46a»28
EXPLANATORY
np HIS booklet's purpose, primarily, is to help
strangers visit the Ancient City of Albany
easily, pleasantly and profitably. It also will
prove a desirable handl)ook for Albanians.
The tourist with but an hour at his command
can get a good idea of Albany. If several hours
are at his disposal he can pass them all to advan-
tage. If his days are his own he can spend a num-
ber of them in visiting public buildings and
exploring historic places.
If you can't stop over, read this book and see
what you have missed.
ALBANY
The Capital of New York, the Empire State
Is the oldest surviving European settlement in
the thirteen original states ; the oldest chartered
city in the United States and the second oldest
city in America. Named after the Duke of York
and Albany when the British took possession m
1664. Familiar early names were Fort Orange
and Beverwyck. The city was chartered by Gov-
ernor Thomas Dongan, July 22, 1686; the first
mayor was Peter Schuyler. It was the meeting
place in 1754 of the Continental Congress to con-
sider Federal union ; became the State capital In
1797. Legislature first met here January 27-
March 14, 1780, in the old Court Flouse at Broad-
way and Hudson avenue. Albany now is the
fifth largest city in the State ; second largest
express office ; third largest mail transfer station ;
fourth in value as a port of entry. Internal reve-
nue receipts (1916), $9,219,845.10; customs re-
ceipts (1916), $123,986.00; value of imports,
$1,099,484; vessels registered from this port, 526.
The city was settled about 1624 and originally
6 Albany Guide Book
was a stockaded trading post. It is located on
the west bank of the Hudson river, 143 miles
from New York; latitude 42*", 39', IV north;
longitude 3°, 18' east from Washington. Eleva-
tion (base line of Capitol) above sea level, 161.09
feet, estimated from low water in New York har-
bor, and 158.48 feet above low water in the Hud-
son river.
Population (State census, December, 1915),
107,979, including 8,159 aliens. The city direc-
tory for 1916 contained 57,980 names.
It is the center of the richest commercial quad-
rilateral in the country — New York, BuiTalo,
Montreal, Boston; is a railroad center; the termi-
nus of the Erie (barge) canal, and practically
the head of Hudson river navigation. Has every
advantage to make it a hustling business city ;
was once a big stove manufacturing center, live ^^
stock, lumber and grain market ; is still full of
business and steadily growing. During the past
five years the city has spent on new construction
alone, for schools, $1,582,700; other public build-
ings, $186,000; parks, $209,500 ; streets, $2,553,300 ;
sewers, $1,180,000; river front improvements,
$967,000. Its present area is 19.381 square miles,
of which 3.647 were added in 1916 from parts of
the towns of Bethlehem, Colonic and Guilderland.
Albany Guide Book 7
Always a political center, the city enrollment
of 1916 showed a total of 29,198, including 18,131
Republicans, 6,085 Democrats, 622 Progressives.
It now is the 28th Congress, 28th Senate and 3d
Judicial district.
The total city valuation in 1916 was
$169,753,500, including realty, $92,929,768; per-
sonal, $6,868,300; exempt, $60,455,840; owned by
the city, $9,500,000; city debt, $6,270,001.55, less
sinking funds of $935,061.27. Cost to run the
city (1916 budget), $2,112,082.91; State and
county taxes (1916), $774,719.67.
On August 17, 1848, the " Great Fire " de-
stroyed 600 houses, causing a loss of $3,000,000.
The city has (1916) 204 licensed saloons and
22 hotels and restaurants in which liquor is sold.
Albany is substantially built, has excellent
pa\'ements (in 1916 the total was 108 miles, in-
cluding granite block, 31 miles; brick, 44^ miles;
asphalt, 17^ miles; macadam, 5^ miles). It
has an abundant filtered water supply, is thor-
oughly lighted by electricity, and is well drained.
It has ample public buildings and churches ; un-
surpassed schools ; excellent police and fire de-
partments, street car and telephone service.
Average summer temperature, 70.4° (June,
July, August) ; average winter temperature, 25.0"^
8 Albany Guide Book
(December, January, February), according to
Government records extending over 42 years.
The highest recorded temperature during this
period was 104° ; the lowest, 24° ; average annual
rainfall, 35.23 inches; relative annual humidity,
76; average hourly velocity of wind, 6 miles, and
highest recorded, 70 miles. During the '' Big
Blizzard," March 12-14, 1888, the snowfall was
42 1/5 inches. Other heavy snowfalls were :
February 14, 1914, total 23^ inches; December
13-14, 1915, total 24^ inches, with a northwest
wind at 26 miles per hour.
The average death rate (State Health Depart-
ment record) is 19.12 per 1,000, showing the city
to be one of the healthiest in the country.
In 1916, Albany spent for education $5.12 per
capita ; for health and sanitation, $2.55, and for
recreation purposes, parks, playgrounds, etc.,
$0.86. The records also show during the same
period 3,160 building permits issued, covering an
estimated expenditure of $4,842,820, and including
2 schools, 1 hotel, 6 office buildings, 152 garages,
5 factories, 11 stores, 8 warehouses, 459 dwellings
and many extensions to existing structures.
The city is popularly divided into North, South
and AVest Albany. East Albany is across the
river. Albany has namesakes in Australia,
Albany Guide Book 9
Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri. Oregon, Ohio, Tennessee,
Texas, Wisconsin and elsewhere.
The '' Albany Beautiful " movement, which led
to and began with the great river front improve-
ment and the transformation of the foot of State
street into a beautiful plaza, Avas initiated by Wil-
liam Barnes, editor of the Albany Journal, and
was given its first recognition after much discus-
sion by Mayor James B. McEwan, who secured
the noted architect, Arnold W. Brunner, in 1912
to prepare plans and make tentative sketches for
the proposed work. In his book of " Studies for
Albany," Mr. Brunner said : " To-day Albany is
essentially picturesque — it possesses an indi-
viduality among our cities that is most pro-
nounced."
Note. — In 1540 French fur traders sailed up the
Hudson river and built a stone fort on Van Rensselaer
island, just south of the present city site. In 1609
Henry Hudson, English navigator hired by the Dutch
East India company to explore "The Grande" (Hud-
son river) sailed the Half Moon from Holland, reach-
ing the present site of Albany on September 19. He
remained 4 days exploring the river in search of a
10 Albany Guide Book
passage to India. In 1615 on the strength of Hudson's
report, members of his crew got the Dutch company
to send over another ship and rebuilt the old French
fort (called The Castle) naming it Fort Nassau. This
structure was wrecked by a freshet in 1618 and aban-
doned. In 1624 the Walloons (exiled French Protes-
tants) got the Dutch company's permission to settle
along the Hudson river and in March thirty families
located on the present site of Albany, building Fort
Orange in June. In 1629 this venture was abandoned
by the Dutch company because of expense. In 1630
the Dutch West Indies company undertook to settle
the territory through manorial grants, Kiliaen Van
Rensselaer, a rich Amsterdam pearl merchant, getting
the first concession. He bought from the Indians in
August the territory including the present site of
Albany. In 1651 Jan Baptiste Van Rensselaer, young-
est of the family, came to Fort Orange as director of
the manor. In 1652 Pieter Stuyvesant, chief officer of
the Dutch company, visited Fort Orange and named
the manor Beverswyck (beavers fuyck — from the
abundant animal and the curving shape of the bay sug-
gesting a net called a fuyck). In 1664 the English
Claimed the territory; King Charles II granted the site
to his brother James, Duke of York and Albany; the
territory was seized in September and the name of city
site changed to Fort Albany. In 1673 the Dutch retook
the territory, changing its name to Willemstadt. In
1674 the name again became Albany on the declaration
of peace between the Dutch and English. In 1686, July
22, Col. Thomas Dongan, Governor of the Province of
New York, chartered Albany as a city, commissioning
Albany Guide Book 11
Col. Pieter Schuyler as first mayor. In its early days
the city was a stockaded trading post, important in the
warfare with the French and Indians.
In 1680 missionaries who visited the settlement
wrote: "Albany is built against a hill with several poor
streets on which are 80 or 90 houses; is surrounded by
a stockade and has several gates corresponding to the
streets; has a Dutch Reformed and a Lutheran church.
The English have built a fort on a hill back of the
town: the Dutch fort (Fort Orange) on the river bank
is abandoned."
In 1685 Albany was called " The House of Peace " by
a Mohawk Indian chief while addressing a commission
a.>-.sembled to renew an important treaty.
12 Albany Guide Book
MEMORANDA
Albany Guide Book 13
ONE HOUR IN ALBANY
Whether the tourist comes to Albany by boat
or by rail, but a few steps are required to reach
historic ground. If by rail on the Central, a turn
to the left on passing out of the depot into
Broadway brings the visitor quickly to Steuben
street, where stood the old North gate of the city
(p. 102), at which Symon Schermerhorn, in the
early morning of February 9, 1690, shouted the
first news of the Schenectady massacre. If by
boat, directly in front *and to the left on stepping
upon the wharf, is the site of old Fort Orange
(p. 100), where treaties w^ere established and the
first courts were held in the early days, and north
of which the first church was erected. A bronze
tablet nearby tells the story.
But whether coming by boat or by rail, the visi-
tor's way lies always directly into the broad busi-
ness street called Broadway, formerly known suc-
cessively as Traders', Court and Market street.
Leaving the boat in early morning, say 7
o'clock, and bound, of course, for Saratoga or the
north, the popular D. & H. train does not start
until 8 :30, and there is easily an hour to spare for
sight-seeing. After noting the inscription on the
14 Albany Guide Book
tablet in Steamboat square, the path lies to the
right np Broadway. All the buildings on the east
side, from the boat landing to State street, were
removed in 1915 to make room for the Plaza, but
the few blocks remaining on the west side are
alive with business, and have been for hours.
Opposite the third right hand corner stood a pro-
saic red brick building, occupying the site of the
second city hall, and a white marble tablet set
high up in the front recorded among other things
that here " The Declaration of Independence was
first publicly read in Albany." A few doors above
on the same side a misplaced monument (p. 109)
told the story more in detail. Both these have
been placed in the Plaza.
A block beyond is the home of the famous old
Argus, which has been a giant in the newspaper
world since its founding in 1813. Pausing here a
moment to look across the Plaza, one sees an
attractive park effect, beyond which rises the
handsome gothic building housing the Delaware
& Hudson railroad offices, below and adjoining
which is the new home of the Albany Evening
Journal. The next short block ends at State
street, a broad thoroughfare leading straight up
the hill, at the top of which is the Capitol (p. 42)
shining in the morning sun. The gray granite
Albany Guide Book 15
structure on the rii^ht at the corner of State and
Broadway is the Government building (p. 88),
containing the Post Office (p. 146) and Federal
offices. A\'here now is the broad intersection of
these two streets was the old Dutch church
(p. 55) and its surrounding burial ground in the
early days.
A passing electric car marked " Pine Hills "
offers a ready means for a quick view of the city.
From the start at the foot of State street the
tourist passes between blocks of handsome and
substantial buildings that are the seat of the city's
business and financial life. On the corner at the
right towers the Albany Trust Company's home,
where once stood the old Museum building, in
which, among other things, was the Marble Pillar
restaurant. A few doors above is the First Na-
tional bank. On the left, across from the Trust
building, is the Hotel Hampton, occupying what
formerly was the palatial home of the National
Commercial bank. Midway up the next block
on the same side is the new massive granite edi-
fice of the Commercial bank, and just above it the
pretty marble structure of the Home Savings
bank. Opposite, on the right hand side of the
street, is the site of the old home of the Evening-
Journal, made famous by Thurlow^ Weed, who
16 Albany Guide Book
was its first editor, and on the corner is the
Mechanics & Farmers' bank building, which, a
tablet on the front tells you, occupies the site of
the home of Anneke Janse (p. 103), once owner of
the famous Trinity church property in New York
city. Above, on the next corner and on the same
side, is the building occupied by the *State bank
(p. 33), also suitably monumented.
The car stops for a moment at the next cross
street (Pearl) and a glimpse may be had of an-
other business center. The County bank building
at the left occupies the site of the birthplace of
Philip Schuyler (p. 103). At the right is the site
of the first brick building erected in North Amer-
ica (p. 108). Opposite towers the new Ten Eyck
hotel, on the famous corner where stood the
Tweddle building, on the site where Philip Liv-
ingston, one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence, was born (p. 106), and where Web-
ster's famous almanac and spelling book were
printed and the first Albany newspaper (The
Gazette) was published. To the north of this
*A bronze tablet on the front of the bank has the
inscripton: "New York State Bank. Chartered, and
this building erected, 1803. The oldest bank in this
city, and the oldest building erected for and continu-
ously used as a banking house in the United States."
Albany Guide Book 17
hnildini^- on Pearl street is the beautiful home of
the Albany Saving-s l)ank, fashioned like an old
Greek temple and occupying' the site where once
stood the \"anderheyden Palace (p. 103). made
famous by Washington Irving in " Bracebridge
llall."
As the car goes on it passes at the right the
original Hotel Ten Eyck building (p. 114),
occupying the site of the old Corning man-
sion. About opposite the upper part of the
Ten Eyck Hotel at the corner (Chapel street)
in the middle of the street stood the first
English church (p. 104), on ground granted
by letters patent from King George. The left
hand corner of Pearl street is occupied by the
.\rkay building, which stands on the old Globe
hotel site. Alidway up the block is the Albany
City Savings bank, a neat little theater and the
commodious home of the Albany club. At the
next crossing (Lodge street), St. Peter's historic
church (p. 35) at once attracts attention on the
right. It marks the site of the northeast bastion
of old Fort Frederick (p. 101). BcA^ond it to the
right may be seen the Masonic Temple (p. 125),
and still further along on the opposite side of the
street is St. Mary's church (p. 54), standing on
the site of the first Roman Catholic church in
2
18 Albany Guide Book
Albany and of the original cathedral of this dio-
cese. Opposite St. Peter's on State street is the
" Geological Hall " (erected 1797) corner, where
for many years was housed the State Museum,
now safe in the Education building (p. 75), and
down the cross street on the opposite side is the
Odd Fellows Temple (p. 133), which was de-
stroyed by lire in 1916. Midway up the block on
State street, left hand side, is the Municipal Gas
company building; the Adelphi club (p. 60)
occupying the old John Taylor Cooper mansion,
and just above this the attractive clubhouse of
the Elks (p. 77).
The short block at the right is notable chiefly
for the fact that the first railroad depot (p. 69)
stood a few doors below the next corner (Eagle
street), on the right hand side.
As the car sweeps around the curve into AVash-
ington avenue (once King and Lion streets) a
passing glimpse may be had on the right of the
City Hall (p. 59), old State House (p. 164), and
the County Court building (p. 64), which occu-
pies the site of the old High School, wdiere once
the city reservoir stood. Across the attractive
small park stands the famous old " Boys' Acad-
emy " (]:>. 26). This park also is historic ground,
for here, in 1864, w^as held the great Army
Albany Guide Book 19
Bazaar. In the academy Professor Henry con-
ducted those electrical experiments which went
far .toward making telegraphy a possibility. As
the car passes on, a good view may be had of the
Capitol (p. 42) and its approaches and the Sheri-
dan memorial (p. 160). Across the Capitol park
at the left towers the great marble home of the
Telephone company (p. 196) ; on the right across
from the Capitol itself looms the classic beauty
of the State Education building (p. 75). There
is nothing else to distract the attention from
these two noble edifices.
At the next crossing (Swan street) beyond the
Education building may be had at the right a
glimpse of the front of All Saints cathedral
(Episcopal) (p. 54). Just above this corner, at
the left, standing well back from the street, is the
Fort Orange club (p. 60), occupying a fine old
mansion in which Aaron Burr once lived. All
along the avenue are substantial residences and
it is yet shaded by handsome elms, although the
requirements of trade are steadily replacing both
the homes and the trees. Just below the next
corner, which is Dove street, and standing well
back from the avenue, is the home of the Albany
Institute and Historical and Art Society (p. 26),
containing very many valuable collections. On
20 Albany Guide Book
the corner at the right is the residence of Col.
AA'illiam Gorham Rice and across from it stands
the University club (p. 61), which occupies the
old Amsdell mansion. Almost at the end of the
block, also well back from the avenue, is Har-
manus Bleecker hall (p. 89), adjoining which on
the corner (Lark street) is the State Armory
(p. 28). As the car turns sharply to the left a
view may be had of the broad open space with
the triangular Townsend park (p. 137), where
Central and Washington avenues meet. Up Cen-
tral avenue the car line extends west to Schenec-
tady.
The ride over Lark street also is through a resi-
dential section and is of brief duration. Soon a
turn to the right brings the car into Madison
avenue. Far away at the left on a clear day may
be had a view of the Helderberg and Catskill
mountains. In the foreground is the Teachers'
Training school, fronting on a small park space,
in which is the Dana Memorial fountain. At the
right on the corner above AVashington park
(p. 133) begins and stretches westward in terraced
beauty for many blocks. As the car speeds along
the visitor will find every foot of the way inter-
esting. Across the park at its third entrance
may be seen the King Fountain — a colossal
Albany Guide Book 21
figure of " Moses Smiting the Rock." As the
second carriage entrance is passed, off at the left
on New Scotland avenue may be seen the mas-
sive grouped buildings of the Albany hospital
(p. 112.) Thereafter, when the park is passed,
both sides of the wide avenue are filled with
handsome residences which are continued in the
section where the interesting part of the railroad
ends. The time from the foot of State street to
the end of the trip has been but 20 minutes, and
since leaving the boat but 35 minutes in all have
been utilized. The car line extends out through
a sparsely settled country as far as the Country
club (p. 62).
On the return trip a stop may be made at the
western front of the Capitol and a walk taken
around the great building. The exterior carv-
ings are well worth seeing and a good idea of
the vast proportions of the granite edifice may be
thus gained. The visitor also may briefly inspect
the beauties of the Education building and of the
Episcopal cathedral. Thereafter by a leisurely
walk or by taking a passing car down the hill
the depot may readily be reached from which
trains for the summer resorts and elsewhere may
be taken.
22 Albany Guide Book
A DAY IN ALBANY
For the leisurely traveler a day or more in
Albany offers many pleasures. If a general sight-
seer he can walk about a bit — probably to the
best advantage on Broadway, State and Pearl
streets — which will give an idea of the city's
business life ; continuing with a short stroll
across Eagle street, through Academy park (p.
134) and up Elk street which formerly was the
exclusive society quarter, going on past the
Childs hospital and St. Agnes school (p. 156)
and crossing over to Washington avenue past the
Cathedral of All Saints (p. 54) and the Educa-
tion building (p. 75) and thus to the Capitol
(p. 42). It will take an hour or two to see the
big building properly and a guide is desirable.
When the Capitol has been " done " the magnifi-
cent Education building should be visited. Here
is housed the great library of the State (p. 165)
and the entire upper floor is occupied by the won-
derful collections of the State Museum (p. 166).
The walk may then be continued over Eagle
street to see the Executive Mansion (p. 79) and
the beautiful Cathedral of the Immaculate Con-
ception (p. 53). Returning and passing down
Albany Guide Book 23
State street, before luncheon, if the day is clear,
as summer da3's usually are, a birdseye view of
the city and surrounding territory may be had
from the roof or upper floors of the Hotel Ten
Eyck (p. 114). After luncheon a ride in a Pine
Hills car will show the beauties of the residen-
tial section as mentioned in " One Hour." A
stroll through ^^'ashington park (p. 133) will
repay any one and the King fountain, Soldiers
and Sailors' Memorial, Burns monument, the
Colonel Willett Memorial boulder and other
attractions should by all means be seen.
If possessed of literary tastes much time can
be spent among the rare books and manuscripts
in the State Library (p. 165). If a collector of art
objects, books or curios, the Historical and Art
Society building (p. 97) should be visited.
Proper credentials also will open to view private
collections of treasures (p. 221) nowhere else to
be found. In fact, the individual bent can be
gratified in Albany to almost any extent imagin-
able. For the artist there are the studios (p. 29),
the scenery of the nearby mountains and the
beauties of the cemeteries (p. 49). For the col-
lector are offered many things according to his
taste. For the engineer there are the electrical
power houses of the street railway, the W^ater-
24 Albany Guide Book
vliet arsenal ( p. 29) and the great filter system of
the cit}' water plant (p. 80) and the sewage dis-
posal plant (p. 69). The literary man can find
rare treasures in many a private collection (p.
221). The scientist ma}^ visit the State museum
p. 166), the observatory (p. 132), the laboratory
and collection of the Medical college (p. 129) or
the Bender laboratory (p. 122). In other words,
to all strangers within her gates the Ancient City
of Albau}^ offers congenial surroundings and at-
tractions to each after his kind. Even the poet is
not neglected, for one of the many beautiful
drives (p. 72) leads directly to the " Vale of
Tawasentha " (p. 199), made famous by Long-
fellow's Hiawatha, but better known to the resi-
dent populace by the prosaic name of " Normans-
kill."
(An alphabetic index to 'places and things of
interest fcllovv^s.)
Albany Guide Book 25
MEMORANDA
26 Albany Guide Book
ABBEY
A favorite old roadhoiise at Glenmont, about
a mile below Kenwood (p. 122) is called "The
Abbey." The ride there is attractive and the
property has a hne frontage on the river.
ALBANY ACADEMY
This old school, popularly known as " The
Boys' Academy " occupies the beautiful brown-
stone building- fronting the park across from the
Capitol park. It was incorporated in 1813 and
the cornerstone laid in 1815. The school opened
on September 11 of that year at State and Lodge
streets with Benjamin Allen as its first principal.
In 1816 the academy building was completed,
and occupied the following- year. In it Prof.
Joseph Henry carried on the remarkable series
of experiments that made telegraphy possible.
On its centennial anniversary in 1916 the Archi-
tectural Record said : " Of all the wealth of archi-
tectural landmarks that the old city of Albany
once possessed, the Academy stands alone."
ALBANY INSTITUTE
Occupies a handsome building standing well
back from the street on \\'ashington avenue near
Dove street. Contains a oreat varietv of valu-
Albany Guide Book 27
able collections of art objects and curios. See
Historical and Art Society (p. 97).
The Institute was formed May 5, 1824, by con-
solidation of the Society for the Promotion of the
Useful Arts with the Albany Lyceum of Natural
History (incorporated 1823) ; Institute chartered
February 27, 1829.
ALBANY ORPHAN ASYLUM
This institution which is a private corpora-
tion, is endowed and receives normal children
between the ages of 2 and 16 years on the order
of county superintendents of the poor or of a
justice of the peace. It was founded in 1829 ; incor-
porated 1831. In 1832 and for many years there-
after it was located at Robin street, Washington
and Western avenues, where it was greatly
enlarged in 1852; abandoned in 1907. Has
branches for its work in the Lathrop IMemorial
on Washington avenue and the Lathrop Mem-
orial Summer Home at Castleton. Its location
on New Scotland avenue where the new modern
group of buildings is situated forms one of the
best types of such institutions in the State. It
comprises residence cottages, administration and
school buildings, a steam laundry, a farm, stores
and other village features. First occupied 1905.
28 Albany Guide Book
Strangers are welcome at any time ; visiting days
for relatives and friends 2 to 4 p. m., on the
first Thursday of each month. Take New Scot-
land avenue bus.
AMUSEMENTS
The city is very liberal in its provisions for
the entertainment of visitors. Every taste can
be gratified. See Drives, Excursions, Sports,
Theaters, etc.
ARMORY
Alban)^ has been State militia headquarters
since the adoption of the Constitution in 1777.
Troops are now quartered in the big armory at
Washington avenue and Lark street; erected in
1889; has a drill shed 170 by 240 feet and every
other convenience. In this armory are housed
the four companies of the Tenth battalion, and
the Second Field Hospital corps. The Adjutant
General's ofhce on State street across from the
lower end of the Capitol is headquarters of the
Third brigade and Third Brigade Signal corps.
Troop B, First Cavalry, has its own armory on
New Scotland avenue, formally opened March
11, 1916; cost $250,000; has one of the best riding
rings in the State and an excellent equipment.
Note. — Troop B originated in the old Third Signal
Albany Guide Book 29
corps which was founded in 1893 as a result of a pro-
posal to form a battery in Albany. The corps dis-
banded in 1902 and Troop B was formed.
ARSENAL
The Watervliet arsenal (Government prop-
erty) noted for the manufacture of great defense
guns, is located about six miles from the city.
Take Troy electric car on Broadway. The site
was selected in 1813; building erected in 1816
Originally the property was about 12 acres ; now
it is over 100. A massive stone wharf on the
river front with a huge crane is for loading and
unloading the big guns and materials used in
their manufacture. The grounds which are hand-
somely laid out contain many fine trees and sub-
stantial buildings, also specimens of Spanish and
other captured cannon. An important post.
Admission on application.
Note. — The old State arsenal, now the property of
the Catholic Union, was at Hudson avenue and Eagle
street. In 1789 proposals were asked to build a State
arsenal at the southeast corner of Broadway and Law-
rence street.
ART AND ARTISTS
The city has attractive art stores, numerous
studios and many very valuable public and priv-
ate collections. Sculpture is seen at its best in
30 Albany Guide Book
decorative work about the Capitol (p. 42) in
famous monuments in the Rural cemetery (p.
49), in the two great cathedrals (pp. 53 and 54)
and in St. Peter's (p. 55) and other churches.
The devotional edifices also contain many not-
able windows which compare favorably with
famous similar works abroad. Paintings of great
value may be seen in the rooms of the Historical
and Art Society (p. 97) and every visitor should
see the handsome mural decorations in the Legis-
lative library (p. 124) in the Capitol and in the
State Education building (p. 75). The familiar
names of Will Low, Launt Thompson, George
Boughton, Charles L. Elliott, Edward Gay,
Leonard Ochtman, Frederic Remington, Homier
D. Martin, Walter Launt Palmer, James McDou-
gal, Robert Pennie, Charles M. Lang, Alfred T.
Crook, Asa W. Twitchel and many others are
intimately connected with Albany's art history
and some of their best works may be seen in the
local galleries.
ASYLUMS
Extensive public and private charities are
administered in Albany. See Charitable Institu-
tions (p. 50). The more important are:
Albany Orphan Asylum — incorporated 1831, form-
erly at Western avenue and Robin street, now occupy-
Albany Guide Book 31
in^: adequate group l)uildings on New Scotland avenue.
Opened 1905. Take New Scotland avenue bus.
l""resh Air Guild — incorporated 1897; conducts vaca-
tion home for children at Canaan.
Home for the Friendless — incorporated 1852; Clin-
ton avenue and North Lake avenue. Take Clinton
avenue car.
Humane Society — incorporated 1892, Eagle and
Howard streets.
Little Sisters of the Poor — incorporated 1880; at
391 Central avenue. Take West Albany car.
Old Men's Home — incorporated 1876; Troy road
near Menands road. Take Troy car.
Open Door Mission — incorporated 1882; at 3 Colum-
bia place.
St. Margaret's House — established 1883; Elk street,
corner Hawk. Take car to Washington avenue and
Hawk.
St. Vincent's Male Orphan Asylum — incorporated
1849; upper Western avenue. Take Pine Hills car.
St. Vincent's Female Orphan x\syluni — incorporated
1849. is at 106 Elm street. Not on car line.
AUTOMOBILES
Power cars are very generally used in Albany
and the number grows yearly. F'or temporary
use the tourist can order an auto through any
hotel or restaurant. Rates vary but are reason-
able. In 1916 there were in Albany county 57,237
automobile owners and 12,958 licensed drivers :
32 Albany Guide Book
there were 3,522 pleasure cars in use and 551
mercantile vehicles.
Note. — The first steam automobile was brought to
Albany December 26, 1900, by Archibald M. Dederick.
The auto was first adopted for physicians' use by Dr.
William E. Milbank, July 30, 1902.
There is a good auto bus service between
Albany and nearby localities. The principal stage
lines are :
For Berne — Starts from depot on Broadway.
Castleton — Starts from 38 State street.
Delmar and Slingerlands — Starts from 442
Broadway.
Elsmere, Delmar, Slingerlands — Starts from
front of depot on Broadway.
Guilderland Center — Starts from 8 North Pearl
street.
Loudonville — Starts from 442 Broadway.
New Scotland avenue to Allen street — Leaves
depot every half hour.
Pittsfield, Mass.— Starts daily from 442 Broad-
way at 9 a. m., 2:30 and 5:45 p. m.
Ravena — Starts from 8 North Pearl street.
Rensselaerville — Starts from depot.
BANKING INSTITUTIONS
Albany boasts of 13 banking institutions which
are among the most prosperous and handsomely
housed in the country. They include 4 national
MECHANICS AND FARMERS BANK
Albany Guide Book 33
banks, 2 trust companies and 7 savings banks,
located on Broadway, State and Pearl streets.
Note. — The first financial institution organized in
the city was the Bank of Albany in 1792. It was the
second formed in the State and the fourth in the Union.
Capital, $75,000,; first president, Abraham Ten Broeck;
continued in business 70 years, during which several
orher banks were formed; finally suspended because of
the unsettled conditions during the Civil War. The
remaining survivors are: New York State National;
organized 1803; commodious new building erected 1916.
National Commercial; chartered 1825; opened its
magnificent new home May 2, 1904. Mechanics &
Farmers; began business July 29, 1811; opened in pres-
ent attractive quarters in 1875. First National; char-
tered 1864; occupied its handsome new building at 35-37
State street 1907.
The Albany Savings bank is the pioneer of its kind
and received its first deposit on June 1, 1820. The
Albany Trust company occupies the site of the noted
old Museum building and Marble Pillar restaurant at
the northwest corner of State street and Broadway. It
v/as organized March 20, 1900; opened on September
15, 1904.
The oldest bank building is that occupied by the
State bank on the front of which is a bronze tablet
suitably inscribed (p. 16).
Bank buildings most likely to attract the visitor's
attention are the great granite structure of the National
Commercial; the beautiful home of the National Sav-
ings bank just above it on State street; the Mechanics
3
34 Albany Guide Book
& Farmers bank at State and James streets (p. 102);
the County bank at State and Pearl streets; and the
massive domed building of the Albany Savings bank
at North Pearl street and Maiden lane. The latter
contains a notable mosaic by Frederick Dielman repre-
senting " Thrift and Prosperity."
THE BASIN
The Albany basin, once an important part of
the old canal system, was formed by the inclosed
water space between the city dock front and the
pier built in 1825. It originally was chiefly used
as a winter harbor by canal boats and other craft.
Finally it became filled in and fouled by the out-
pouring from the city sewers. It finally was
obliterated and the pier lines extended in the
great river front improA^ement in 1914-15. The
substitute space which is comparatively clean is
valued as a harbor for small craft.
BATHS
Attractive public baths are located as follows :
No. 1, at 665 Broadway; opened in December,
1902. No. 2, at 94 Fourth avenue, opened in June,
1905. No. 3, at 380 Central avenue; opened in
July, 1908. All are substantial structures, well
equipped with shower and swimming baths and
are well patronized. There also is a good Turk-
ish bath on State street, popularly known as
Albany Guide Book 35
" The Tub." The Y. ^1. C. A. (p. 203) also has
excellent showers and a swimming tank con-
nected with its well-equipped gymnasium.
BELLS
Albany churches contain some 70 bells ot
which several are historical and very old. The
so-called " Queen Anne " bell in the memorial
tower of St. Peter's church (p. 55 ) is the oldest,
and the inscription shows date of 1751. It prob-
ably came from England and now is used only
to strike the date of each new year. St. Mary's
church (p. 54) boasts of another very old bell,
cast by L. Aspinwall, Watervliet, but no date is
shown. The Second Presbyterian church (p. 54)
has two bells dated respectively 1838 (cast by L.
Aspinwall) and 1852 (cast by Aleneely, Water-
vliet). The Dutch Reformed church (p. 55) on
North Pearl street has a bell cast in 1859 by
Jones & Co. of Troy. The " Big Ben " of the city
bells is in the City Hall tower (p. 59) and is used
for striking fire alarms, the hour of 9 o'clock, and
for municipal purposes generally. It was cast in
1882 by Meneely of West Troy; weight, 7,049
pounds ; height, 50^ inches ; diameter at mouth,
70 inches ; thickness, 5 1/20 inches ; placed in
position October 28, 1882.
36 Albany Guide Book
There are three sets of beautiful chimes: In
the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 11
bells ; cast 1860 ; weight from 452 to 3,040 pounds.
In St. Peter's church, 11 bells, the gift of George
Tweddle, Christmas, 1875, as a memorial to
members of his family and Rev. Dr. Walton W.
Battershall, rector; all finely finished and suit-
ably inscribed; weigh from 250 to 3,150 pounds.
In St. Joseph's church, at Ten Broeck and
Second streets, 10 bells.
BOAT CLUBS
Noted oarsmen have helped to make Albany
famous in the past but the coming ot power boats
has changed the favorite water sport even to the
point of eclipsing the sailing yacht. The first
boat club organization was the Pioneer Rowing
club. May, 1857; the Hiawatha and Excelsior
rowing clubs followed in 1859. The noted
Mutual boat club was organized August 1, 1865;
the Hudson River Amateur Rowing association
in April, 1867; the famous Beverwyck rowing-
club on February 22, 1870.
The $1,000 silver trophy won by the Bever-
wyck crew at the international races at Philadel-
phia in 1876 is now in the Flistorical and Art
Society building to which it was presented by
Albany Guide Book Z7
Mrs. Wm. R. Hills, wife of the captain of the
famous crew.
See also Yacht Club.
BOOKS, BOOK STORES
Although book stores are few and far between
in Albany, the city is noted as a literary center,
and a very respectable library could be formed
of the books written either by Albanians or about
the city, its prominent men, its buildings and his-
toric places, its celebrations and other attractions.
Noted authors have sprung from Albany and
their writings, gathered for the first time in 1898
by Cuyler Reynolds while curator of the Histori-
cal and Art Society (p. 97) form one of the valued
attractions of that repositor3^'s noted collections.
The catalog prepared by him contains 172
authors and 340 titles. There are many others.
Some of the authors thus gathered are: Bret
Harte (born in Albany in 1839) ; Gen. Charles
King, U. S. A. (born in Albau}^ in 1844) ; John
G. Saxe, long a resident, who died in Albany in
1887; Col. Willard Glazier, Rev. Peter Bullions
of classical text book fame. Rev. Frederick R.
Marvin, John Boyd Thacher, Rev. W. W. Bat-
tershall, Michael J. Monahan, etc. Of course the
collections of Joel Munsell head the list.
38 Albany Guide Book
Book stores may be found on Broadway
(Albany News Company), North Pearl street and
elsewhere. The noted " Olde Booke Man,"
McDonough, is located on Hudson avenue below
South Pearl street.
Note. — The first book store recorded was opened in
1771 at the Old Elm Tree corner (State and Pearl
streets) by Stuart Wilson.
BOULEVARDS
Albany has a popular and extensive boulevard
system already and will have a more elaborate
one in time to come. The several sections now
f(^rm favorite drives and attract many tourists.
The Manning boulevard, which commemorates
a distinguished name in Albany, extends froni
North Pearl and Van Woert streets around Dud-
ley park and the Tivoli lakes, across Livingston,
Clinton and Central avenues and across Allen
street and Washington avenue to Western ave-
nue where it now ends. \n extension has been
authorized between Western and New Scotland
avenues, and later it is to go still further to con-
nect with the Southern boulevard at Delaware
avenue.
The Southern boulevard extends from Dela-
ware avenue and Milton street south to the South
Albany Guide Book 39
Bethlehem '' Stone Road," crossing the Normans-
kill on a high bridge. This boulevard was com-
pleted in 1916.
The Northern boulevard starts at Washington
park and extends northerly to the Loudonville
road. It is one of the favorite thoroughfares lead-
ing to Saratoga and the north country.
A\^estern avenue from Washington avenue
westerly to Manning boulevard is really also a
part of the park system of attractive driveways.
BREWERIES
Making good beer and ale in plenty has been
characteristic of Albany almost since is founda-
tion. The brewing business is a very extensive
one and dates back to 1600. The Government
records show that the number of barrels of ale
and lager brewed here in 1916 totaled 333,822, of
which 213,544 were lager and 120,273 ale. The
value of the output was approximately about
$3,000,000.
Note. — No record seems to show who was the first
brewer or where or how much he brewed. But it is
known that in 1649 the Patroon's brewery produced 330
tuns of beer; that in 1665 Marcellus Jansen was the
highest bidder for the position of excise collector under
the Dutch West Indies company; that in 1796 the old
Arch street brewery was established by James Boyd and
40 Albany Guide Book
that in 1829 it was estimated that 42,000 barrels of beer
were brewed in the city. The well known local anti-
quarian, Cuyler Reynolds, who has specialized in brew-
eries says (February 14, 1916), " I estimate that 25 men
were running breweries in Albany between 1650 and
1675." In evidence he quotes from Pearson's " Early
Settlers": Jan Jansen Ouderkirk, cooper, 1664; John
Fine, cooperage, 1696; Jacob Jansen Schermerhorn,
brewer, 1636; Volckert Jansen Douw, brewer, 1638;
Evert Pells (van Stetlyn), brewer, 1642; Pieter Bronck,
brewer, 1645. Harmen Harmense Gansevoort, in 1660,
owned a brewery on the present site of Stanwix Hall
(p. 114). Many similar records exist to show the great
antiquity of brewing and allied trades in Albany.
The best known local breweries at present (1916) are:
The Beverwyck, 56 North Ferry; first brewing, 1845;
capacity, 250.000 barrels lager; 100,000 barrels ale.
Dobler's, Swan street near Elm street, first brewing,
1892; capacity, 175,000 barrels.
Citizens, Jay and Lancaster streets, near Dove; first
brewing, 1916; capacity, 175.000 barrels.
Hedrick's, 404 Central avenue; first brewing, 1848;
capacity, 50,000 barrels.
Hinckel's, Myrtle avenue and South Swan street;
fiist brewing. 1880; capacity, 150,000 barrels.
BRIDGES
Three bridges across the river make communi-
cation easy and are much used. The middle and
lower bridges accommodate foot passengers (toll
Albany Guide Book 41
2c), the middle bridi^c carrying also steam rail-
road tracks and the lower the electric roads. The
upper bridge, carrying steam railroad tracks only,
was opened February 22, 1866; the first train
crossed the middle bridge on December 28, 1871 ;
the lower bridge was opened 1882.
Records show that in 1814 a bridge across the
rix'er at All^any was proposed but Troy objected
tliat it might interfere with the sloop traffic on
the Hudson.
A neat cement bridge across the new basin,
connecting Quay street with the Recreation pier
was built in 1916 and cost $67,000.
Note. — Before the construction of bridges the river
was crossed by ferries. This service tov^ard the last
was handled by large, steam propelled boats which
carried hundreds of passengers as well as large amounts
of all kinds of freight. The first record of a ferry
between Albany and the opposite shore is in 1642 when
a large scow crossed from where the Bekverkill emptied
into the Hudson (about at the foot of Arch street).
Hendrick Albertsen was appointed ferryman by the
Patroon. Later ferries were run by horse power. In
1751 the sole right to run a ferry between Greenbush and
Albany was secured at auction by Cornelius Van Vech-
ten for one year for £3 sl9, and between Albany and
Greenbush by Jeremiah Van Vechten for the same
period for £3 s4.
42 Albany Guide Book
BUSINESS
Information about the greatly diversified busi-
ness interests of Albany can be most readily had
at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce (p. 50)
in the Arkay building- at State and South Pearl
streets.
CANAL
Albany has been greatly aided commercially by
the canal since its opening and the visitor will be
impressed by the great fleets of boats w^hich form
here and are taken in tow by the many busy tugs.
Note. — The Erie canal from Albany to Buffalo was
completed and the first boat, the Seneca Chief, arrived
in the Albany basin on November 2, 1825, having
started from Buffalo on October 26 on its trip from
Lake Erie to the Hudson river. The arrival of this boat
was made the occasion for a great public celebration.
The law for the construction of the Erie canal was
passed in 1817 and work began on July 4 of that year.
CAPITOL
The grand granite edifice crowning State street
hill, 155 feet above the level of the Hudson river,
stands in a square containing 7.84 acres. The
building measures 300 feet north and south by
400 feet east and west. The walls, which are
over 16 feet thick at the base, rise fully 108 feet
above the water table, surrounding a central court
Albany Guide Book 43
92 by 137 feet. It is open to the public from
7 a. m. to 5 p. m., except on holidays and Satur-
days when it closes at noon, and on Sundays.
Access can however be had by reputable persons
at almost any time. Official guides may be had
at 25c per hour per person, with reductions for
parties. The usual length of a complete tour of
the building is 1^ hours, but a " hurry tour " can
be made in one-half hour, during which the
experienced guide will point out many objects of
interest which the unaccompanied visitor will
miss.
Memorandum History
A resolution introduced by Senator James A.
Bell was adopted by the Legislature in 1863 to
j)rocure plans for a new Capitol. A bill appro-
priating $100,000 to make a beginning w^as intro-
duced in 1864 by Senator Laimbeer. In 1865
various cities were invited to offer sites. In 1866
the Legislature passed an act ratifying the selec-
tion of the present location. In 1867 the first
appropriation of $250,000 was made with the pro-
viso that the building should not cost more than
$4,000,000. The plans of architect Thomas Fuller
were adopted. Ground was broken December 9,
1867; the average depth of the excavation was
15^ feet and the building stands on a concrete
44 Albany Guide Book
floor 4 feet thick. The first foundation stone was
laid July 7, 1869, by John V. L. Pruyn ; the corner-
stone was laid June 24, 1871, by the Grand Lodge
F, & A. M., in spite of violent protests. Gov.
John T. Hofifman and Hamilton Harris delivered
addresses. A grand opening reception took place
on January 7, 1879, but the building was not
formally occupied by State officers and the Legis-
lature until February 12 of that year.
The Capitol was declared completed by Gov-
ernor Black on August 28, 1898 (all but a steel
tower to cost $570,347.90; carving on interior to
cost $500,000; cleaning and pointing up exterior
to cost $100,000). The total cost to that date had
been, exclusive of the cost of the land, $23,693,-
383.27 and the time taken to finish the building
(with the exceptions noted) 'had been 27 years.
The Assembly chamber was first occupied on
January 7, 1879, but formal occupation ceremon-
ies were not held until February 12. The Sen-
ate chamber was first occupied on March 10,
1881. At the end of the fiscal year 1911 a total
of $24,265,082 had been expended on the building.
In the early morning hours of March 29, 1911,
a fire which started at 2 :30 a. m., in the old Assem-
bly library after a prolonged committee meeting,
practically destroyed the western section of the
Albany Guide Book 45
Capitol, including- the State library and many
very valuable collections. The fire spread rapidly
and with astounding fierceness in the supposedly
fireproof edifice, doing damage estimated at about
$3,000,000. The 1911 Legislature appropriated
$635,000 for immediate work on the burned sec-
tion ; in 1912 the sum of $1,005,000 was appropri-
ated, and in 1913 the sum of $500,000. Up to
December, 1916, the books of the Comptroller
showed that the Capitol had cost $26,916,045.26,
of which $24,265,082.67 went for construction and
$2,650,962.59 to repair the damage done by the
fire.
Attractions for Visitors
Outside — General appearance of building;
grand eastern approach and its carvings ; western
entrance; carvings on north and south porticos.
First Floor — Beginnings of the three grand
staircases, especially the western ; old cannon,
etc., in eastern entrance hall ; bronze statue of
Professor Sheldon (erected by school children)
in Senate staircase well (George Francis Brines,
sculptor), unveiled January 11, 1900.)
There is a post office, newspaper booth and a
cigar and souvenir stand on the \\ ashington ave-
nue side of this floor.
Second Floor — The main entrances, east and
46 Albany Guide Book
west ; carvings on the three staircases, especially
the western ; military trophies and curios in the
eastern entrance hall and the Military Bureau
opening from it ; Executive chamber with carved
fireplace and valuable paintings; curious figures
formed by venation of marble wainscoting in
corridors.
Third Floor — Senate and Assembly cham-
bers ; Legislative library and its mural decora-
tions ; carvings on western staircase at this point ;
Senate stairway ; Assembly stairway ; views from
the windows.
Fourth Floor — Top of grand western stair-
case ; date stone of original Capitol building of
1807 set in the south wall ; views from windows.
The guide will point out many other interest-
ing things while conducting the visitor through
the building and give a lecture during the tour
which is in itself well worth the price. The fifth
and sixth floors are devoted to oftices.
Note. — Albany was made the State capital in 1797
and the Legislature held its first session there from
January 27 to March 14, 1780, in the old State House
which stood at the northeast corner of Broadway and
Hudson- avenue. In 1804 it was decided to erect a
Capitol building at the head of State street. The cor-
nerstone was laid April 23, 1806, by Mayor Philip S.
Van Rensselaer with Masonic ceremonies. The new
Albany Guidk Book 47
building was first occupied in November, 1808. It cost
$110,685.42. according to the report of the Governor to
the Legislature. In 1883 the building was torn down
to make way for the present edifice.
CARS (STREET)
Albany has one of the best street railway ser-
vices in the State — about 50 miles to date. All
important parts of the city can be reached readily
and the fare is uniformly 5c. Connections can
be made with lines runnin^^ to adjoining places —
Rensselaer, Watervliet, Troy, Cohoes and all
other important cities and villages within a radius
of 7}^ miles.
Note. — The Albany street railway was organized
September 12, 1863, with James Kidd as first president.
Horse cars began running from the foot of State street
up the Bowery (now Central avenue) February 22, 1864,
to what is now the Northern Boulevard. Operations
on South Pearl street to Kenwood began May 9, 1864,
and cars ran on North Pearl street in July, 1865; on
Hamilton street in July. 1875. The first electric car ran
on State street hill April 28. 1890. The North Albany
car barns were built in 1892. In 1900 the administra-
tion building at Broadway and Columbia street wass
opened on June 14. The title of the road was changed
to the United Traction company and finally it was
bought by the D. & H. railroad on November 18, 1905.
Schenectady cars first ran into Albany September 23,
1901. and the Albany and Hudson third rail electric
road opened in January, 1901.
48 Albany Guide Book
MEMORANDA
Albany Guidi-: Book 49
CATHOLIC UNION
An association of the faith indicated, having
headquarters with a Hbrary, athletic and social
features attached, organized October 21, 1887. It
occupies the old arsenal building at Hudson ave-
nue and Eagle streets and is an important factor
in city life.
CEMETERIES
^^ery beautiful burial grounds are situated on
the Troy road about 4 miles north of the city,
easily reached by the Broadway line of electric
cars (fare 10c), by the D. & H. belt line train or
by an attractive carriage or automobile drive.
They are known as the Rural cemetery, St. Agnes
(Roman Catholic) and Beth Emeth (Jewish) and
adjoin each other. The Rural ; chartered April 2,
1841 ; site selected May 14 that year; consecrated
in 1844, includes 475 acres in which are 35 miles
of picturesque drives. First interment May,
1845. It is noted for its numerous beautiful monu-
ments and several pieces of sculpture that are
known the world over. Among them are^* The
Angel at the Sepulchre" (Banks plat)/ '' Th^^'
Angel of Sorrow " (Arthur plat), '' Religfon Con-
soling Sorrow" (Godfrey plat), ''The Recording
Angel" (Myers plat), ''The Angel of Peace"
(Manning plat) and the Soldiers' monument.
4
50 Albany Guide Book
Other cemeteries are Eagle Hill, at stop 4^
Western avenue ; Graceland, Delaware avenue,
near old city line; St. John's, Bethlehem turn-
pike, below Kenwood.
Note. — In 1756 the Common Council granted St.
Peter's church land north of Fort Frederick for a burial
ground. In 1789 the council named a committee to
select a cemetery site because the burial grounds were
too much scattered. In 1806 a cemetery was estab-
lished at State and Knox streets where now is Wash-
ington park. In 1868 about 40,000 bodies were removed
from this cemetery and interred in the Rural.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
A body of citizens organized to promote the
business welfare of the city has commodious
rooms in the Arkay building at State and South
Pearl streets. Information about the industries
of the city and the inducements ofifered business
men and manufacturers to locate here can be
had of the secretary. Organized in January, 1900,
The old Board of Trade was organized in 1847.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
Albany has for years been noted for the extent
of its charities, both denominational and secular.
A good idea of the scope of this work may be
gained by the interested visitor who will take a
Albany Guide Book 51
conveyance at, say State and Pearl streets, and
make the following tour:
To the Humane Society building, Eagle and Howard
streets (Founded 1892; present building occupied, 1901).
To St. Vincent's Female Orphan asylum, 106 Elm
street (Founded 1817).
Past the Albany hospital, New Scotland avenue
(Founded 1849).
To the Albany Orphan asylum, just beyond
(Founded 1829; present site occupied 1907).
To St. Vincent's Male Orphan asylum (Founded
1849).
To the Brady Maternity hospital, on North Main
avenue (Founded 1913).
To the Tuberculosis hospital, on Western avenue
(Organized 1909).
To St. Ann's School of Industry and House of the
Good Shepherd, West Lawrence street (Founded 1884).
To the Home for Aged of the Little Sisters of the
Poor, 391 Central avenue (Founded 1871).
To the Home for Aged Women (Albany Guardian
Society), 553 Clinton avenue (Founded 1886).
To St. Margaret's House, Elk and Hawk streets
(Founded 1883).
x\ tuberculosis pavilion which originated with
and is supported by the Albany Federation of
Labor is located on Kenwood Heights and is nota-
ble as the first institution of its kind in the labor
world. The building was erected at an initial
cost of $5,000 which was contributed by working-
52 Albany Guide Book
men and prominent citizens interested in the
movement to stamp out the " white plague."
Dedicated August 28, 1908; opened for work
December 17 that year. This institution has
effected many cures and afforded much relief ever
since its founding.
The Home for Aged Men on the Troy road at
Menands (p. 128) also is well worth visiting if
time allows. (Incorporated 1876; dedicated
March 28, 1878 ; first inmate admitted April of
that year.)
For further and more detailed particulars con-
cerning the charities of Albany the visitor should
inquire at the rooms of the Society for Associated
Charities of Albany at 74 Chapel street (the
Spencer Trask building).
Notable institutions will be found under the
appropriate headings in this book.
CHARTER
The original charter of the city, a curious
parchment document granted July 22, 1686,
by " Thomas Dongan, Lieutenant and Gov-
ernor of the Province of Newyork and dependen-
cies in America, under his most sacred Majesty
James the Second," may be seen on application
at the mavor's office.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL
ST. PETER S CHURCH
Albany Guide Book 53
CHURCHES
There are 79 places of worship in Albany
(1916) representing all forms of belief. These
include 3 synagogues, 2 cathedrals (Episcopal
and Roman Catholic), 6 Reformed churches, 6
Methodist, 6 Episcopal, 1 United Presbyterian,
1 Reformed Episcopal, 8 Lutheran, 8 Baptist, 10
Presbyterian, 16 Roman Catholic, 1 Congrega-
tional, 2 Evangelical, 1 Unitarian, 1 Adventist, 1
Spiritualist, 1 Christian, 1 Friends, 1 Christian
Science, and several convents and missions.
Those of particular interest to the tourist are the
Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Concep-
tion at Eagle street and ^ladison avenue, the
Episcopal Cathedral of All Saints at Elk and
North Swan streets, old St. Alary's church at
Lodge and Pine streets, St. Peter's church at
State and Lodge streets, the old Eirst Reformed
at North Pearl and Orange and Monroe streets,
Beth Emeth synagogue at Lancaster and Swan
streets. There also is the Salvation Army at
Green and Beaver streets.
Descriptions of the important edifices follow :
Cathedral of the Lnmaculate Conception, Madison
avenue and Eagle street. Very handsome brownstone
54 Albany Guide Book
edifice, said to be one of the finest examples of gothic
architecture in the country. Fronts 95 feet on Eagle
and 230 feet on Madison avenue and Jefferson street.
Cornerstone laid July 2. 1848, by Archbishop Hughes;
edifice dedicated November 21, 1852; completed in 1892.
Height of spires, 210 feet; seating capacity, 2,500; ceil-
ir.g 55 feet high supported by 12 massive columns.
Noted for its great triple organ, its many exceedingly
beautiful stained glass windows, its magnificent gold
bronze and mahogany altar rail (the gift of A. N. Brady
and Eugene D. Woods), its carved pulpit (the gift of
John A. McCall), its magnificent altar and its wonder-
ful acoustic effects.
All Saints Cathedral, Swan and Elk streets. Site
given by Erastus Corning in 1883. Present unfinished
building, instituted by Rt. Rev. William Croswell Doane
on becoming bishop of the Albany diocese February
2, 1869, will be a magnificent edifice when completed.
Seating capacity, 2,400. Incorporated 1873; cornerstone
laid June 3, 1884; dedicated November 20, 1888. Noted
for its great organ (the gift of Mary Parker, dedicated
April 6, 1891), its many beautiful memorials, including
windows dedicated to Mrs. Doane and her sisters, and
its interior ornamentation.
St. Mary's Church, Pine and Lodge streets. The
present structure is the third to be erected on the site
and was dedicated March 14, 1869. The original, built
in 1797, was the first Catholic church in the city and
the second in the State. The second edifice was the
Albany Guide Book 55
original cathedral of the diocese. It contains a very
old and magnificent canvas fresco back of the altar
representing the Holy Sepulchre.
St. Peter's Church, State and Lodge streets. Organ-
ized 1715; incorporated 1769; present (third) edifice con-
secrated 1860; seating capacity, 900. Noted for the
architectural beauty of its memorial tower, its beauti-
ful chimes (given by George Tweddle on December
25, 1875. as a family memorial) containing one bell
dated 1751, for its communion service donated by Queen
Anne in 1716, for its parchment grants given by George
I and George III, for its beautiful memorial windows,
and for its sculptured memorial marble altar (the work
of St. Gaudens, presented by Robert C. and Charles L.
Pruyn. 1885). In the vestibule floor is a memorial tablet
(dedicated May 30, 1915) which marks the place where
the body of Lord Howx is asserted to lie. The idea
of this monument originated with Mrs. J. V. L. Pruyn
and was carried out by her daughter, Mrs. William
Go r ham Rice.
First Reformed Church, North Pearl and Orange
streets. Popularly known as the " Two Steepled
Church " and the " North Dutch Church." Houses one
of the oldest religious organizations in America. The
first pastor (Megapolensis) came over in 1642 and
service was held in Dutch up to 1782. The first edifice
was on the present Steamboat square; second (1656) at
present intersection of Broadway and State street.
Present edifice dedicated 1799; improved in 1860. Noted
for its many interesting antic|uities.
56 Albany Guide Book
Note. — In 1642 Dominie Megapolensis arrived at
Fort Orange with wife and four children, being sent
by the Amsterdam classis at the request of Kiliaen
Van Rensselaer. A house and church were built for
him west of the fort where now is Steamboat square.
In 1656 the Lutherans decided to worship by themselves
and located their church at Yonkers and Handlaer
streets (now State and Broadway). It was the second
religious edifice built in Fort Orange and also was a
blockhouse, with three small cannon on top command-
ing the three roads leading into the city. In 1657 the
directors of the Dutch West Indies company sent a
small bell for the church. In 1680 the Lutheran society
bought property on the west side of South Pearl
street, between Hudson avenue and Beaver street. In
1741 St. Peter's church was licensed to build by Gover-
nor Hunter and a grant of land at the head and in the
center of Yonkers (State) street made which caused
much opposition. The same year the Dutch Reformed
church also got a permit to build its third edifice at
Market and Yonkers streets. In 1715 St. Peter's
church opened with Thomas Barclay as rector; its
written records began April 15, 1718; in 1731 it was
damaged by fire. In 1760 the Common Council licensed
the Presbyterians to establish a church, and a site was
granted in 1762 on the northwest corner of Hudson
avenue and William street. (The church now worships
at State and Willett streets, building erected in I884.) In
1766 the German Reformed church was granted land on
the hill north of the fort, and the same year St. Peter's
Albany Guide Book 57
church was chartered by Governor Moore. In 1799,
September 13, the cornerstone of St. Mary's church was
laid on the site at the northwest corner of Barrack
(Chapel) and Pine streets; the congregation organized
in 1776; the city gave the site and the brick church
was built in 1798; cornerstone of second edifice was
laid in 1820. the third on August 11, 1867. The
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception organized
1847; cornerstone laid July 2. 1848; dedicated November
21, 1852, Patrick C. Keely. architect. St. Peter's present
(3d) edifice is on the site of the second which was torn
down; cornerstone laid June, 1859; first service on Sep-
tember 16 that year; consecrated October 4, 1860.
CITY BUILDING
The building at South Pearl and Howard
streets, police and city courts and offices, is out-
grown and a modern municipal building is to be
erected at Eagle and Daniel streets, on the site
of the old First Congregatonal church which site
cost $35,000. On February 26, 1917, an appropri-
ation of $100,000 was made for the new building.
There the Second Precinct station house will be
located, the Police court and offices and the Fire
Bureau. The police headquarters and the Fire
Chief's room contain many interesting relics.
Albany Guide Book
MEMORANDA
THE CITY HALL
Albany Guide Book 59
CITY HALL
The city administration is housed in the hand-
some SjA story gothic granite edifice with base-
ment and tower (190 feet high and 26y2 feet
square) at Eagle street and Alaiden lane. Com-
pleted 1883; cost $325,000; architect, the famous
H. H. Richardson. The exterior of this building
is highly prized for its architectural beauty by
artists and architects and has been extensively
copied. The Common Council chamber contains
a very valuable collection of portraits of the gov-
ernors of the State.
The city bought the present site in 1827; cor-
nerstone of old building laid August 31, 1829;
first occupied by Common Council July 25, 1831 ;
cost $92,336.91 ; destroyed, by fire February 10,
1880; present edifice erected 1881. Interior
reconstructed 1917; contracts awarded totaled
$352,289.
CLUBS
Social life always has been a notable feature of
Albany, and the city now has no less than 45
clubs. These include 3 commercial, 2 profes-
sional, 16 social, 1 commercial travelers', 1 auto-
mobile, 7 sporting, 1 yacht, 2 gun, 1 fish and
game, 1 camping, 1 raquette, 1 boy scouts',
3 literary, 2 musical, 2 curling, 4 political (the
60 Albany Guide Book
Capital City, Unconditional, Young Men's Repul)-
lican. Equal Suffrage), 1 chess, 1 boys', 1 girls',
1 mothers' and 1 woman's.
The best known clubs are
Adelphi, 134 State street — Organized January 26,
1873; as the Adelphi Literary association at South
Pearl and Division streets; present handsome club-
house formally opened 1898, occupies the old General
John Taylor Cooper mansion whose beautiful interior
has been for the most part preserved, although very
extensive improvements and additions have been made.
Aurania, South Allen street, west of Madison ave-
nue — Incorporated • May 7, 1902; clubhouse opened
November 20, 1902, has been greatly enlarged and
improved. It is a family club and its well-equipped
quarters and spacious grounds are enjoyed by a large
membership. Take Pine Hills car.
Albany, 102 State street — Incorporated 1886; occu-
pies the spacious old mansion of Erastus Corning,
senior, to which additions have been made extending
through to Howard street in the rear. One of the
most popular and best equipped clubs in the city.
Commercial Travelers — Meets 564 Broadway across
from depot; organized 1888.
Fort Orange — Easily the leading city club and one
of the best known in the State; organized January 31,
1880; occupies spacious quarters at 110 Washington
avenue, surrounded by well kept grounds. The main
building once was the fine old mansion built in 1810 by
Samuel Hill and once occupied by Aaron Burr while
a lawyer in Albany.
Aliianv GuiDK Book 61
Elks — The B. P. O. E. No. 49. occupies at 138 State
street a specially constructed and very spacious building
which is the pride of the order. It extends through
to Howard street and contains besides the spacious
lodge room every convenience for social enjoyment of
the members. It was erected at a cost of $200,000 and
fc^rmally opened on May 5-6, 1913.
Scottish — St. Andrew's society which has an attrac-
tive home at 69 Howard street is the pride of citizens
of Scottish birth. It was organized on October 19,
1803, and does much charitable work. The Burns club,
organized in 1853, and the Caledonian club, organized
in 1874. also are well known.
University — Organized March 21, 1901; occupies the
spacious residence of the late George I. Amsdell at
Washington avenue and Dove street with grounds
extending through to Elk street, a full block.
Yacht — Organized April 16, 1873; formerly located
across the river in a frame building which was
destroyed by fire July 3. 1905. Now has a magnificent
home in a specially erected clubhouse on Recreation
pier opposite the foot of State street which it occupied
November 1, 1913.
The Rotarian and Kiwanis clubs also are large and
growing centers of social life.
Country Clubs
There are four of these clubs attached to the
city's social life and each has a large member-
ship. They are :
62 Albany Guide Book
Albany Country Clul) — Beautifully located on Great
Western turnpike, about 2 miles west of city. Bought
property April 1, 1895. Clubhouse reconstructed and
enlarged 1898, dining-room seats 300; now has 132
acres with attractive scenery including a lake and
creeks; 8 tennis courts; 18-hole golf course. Continu-
ally being improved. Take Country Club car.
Colonie Country Club — Acquired Adelphi club
country property April 1, 1915. Has 59 acres well
located, containing 4 tennis courts, 9-hole golf course,
baseball ground and other desirable features. Attrac-
tive clubhouse with huge living room (35 x 65 ft.),
and wide veranda on three sides. Take Country Club
car.
Helderberg Golf Club — Organized 1914. Purchased
old Helderberg Inn property at Altamont. Located
800 feet up among Helderberg mountains and noted for
magnificent views from house and grounds. Has 65
acres containing many natural attractions. Has 3 tennis
courts and 9-hole golf course. D. & H train to Alta-
mont, or automobile.
Wolfert's Roost Country Club — ^^ Occupies house and
grounds noted as home originally of " Fritz " Emmett,
the actor; acquired 1891 by David B. Hill when U. S.
Senator. Located on Van Rensselaer boulevard.
Organized May 1, 1915; opened September 11, 1915; 100
acres with lake and other attractions; has 6 tennis
courts; 18-hole golf course. Specialty is athletics and
sociability.
Albany Guide Book 63
Women's Clubs
Xo less than 27 clubs formed exclusively by
women and coverini^- all fields of activity exist in
Albany. The best known are:
Dana Natural History Society — Organized Novem-
ber 19, 1868, by prominent women of the time and
named after Prof. James D. Dana of Yale. Meets in
the Girls' Academy; speciaUy, field meetings on call
for Nature study purposes under the leadership of some
eminent scientific man. The association has as memo-
rials Dana park and the Dana fountain at Madison
avenue and Lark street.
Mothers' Club — Organized 1900; meets in Y. W.
C. A. building. Specialty, the betterment of the
condition.-; surrounding little children. This club
originated and fosters the open-air playgrounds (p. 142)
of the city, five in number, in several of the parks so
located as to serve the most densely populated and
growing sections. It is a widely known, popular and
highly respected body.
Woman's Club — Organized in June, 1910; meets in
the Historical and Art Society building. Specialty, civic
betterment.
Pine Hills Fortnightly Club — Organized 1898; meets
in the Aurania club. Specialty, literary and historical
studies.
There also are many patriotic societies and
church organizations doing good work. One
organization of particular merit is the Albany
64 Albany Guide Book
Girls' club, whose home is on Madison avenue.
Its specialty is to teach girls home duties and to
improve their social condition and education.
CONVENTS
The number of these institutions has grown
considerably during the past ten years in Albany
until there are several of considerable importance.
The most notable is the Convent of the Sacred
Heart, an imposing brick edifice rising from a
wooded eminence sotith of the city, reached by
the Kenwood cars. It was instituted in 1853 ;
present buildings, erected in 1866, cost $200,000.
The grounds which front 310 feet on the river
contain many magnificent trees and beautiful
walks. Open to visitors. Other convents are :
Our Lady of Angels, 183 Central avenue. Take West
Albany car.
Dominican, 880 Madison avenue. Take Pine Hills car.
St. Ann's, Franklin street and Fourth avenue. Take
South Pearl street car.
Vincentian, Morris street, west of Partridge. Take
West Albany car.
COUNTY COURT HOUSE
An adequate and substantial edifice to meet
the requirements of the growing county business
was erected at Eagle and Columbia streets in
Aij'.ANV GuiDi: Book 65
1913 at a cost of $1,250,000; cornerstone laid May
8, 1915; formally dedicated September 23, 1916,
when County Attorney Ellis J. Staley received
the keys from the building- committee of the
board of supervisors. On August 7, 1916, County
judge Ceorge Addington held the hrst legal hear-
ing in the building (an excise case). On Octo-
l)er 2, 1916, Justice Alden Chester convened the
tirst term of the Supreme Court in the new build-
ing with justice A\'ilHam l\ Rudd and County
Judge Addington occupying the bench with him.
Appropriate gavel sets were presented through
Commander J. Harris Loucks as memorials
donated In' Phil Sheridan Camp, S. of Y., and
:M()hawk Chapter, D. A. R. The gift of the
Daughters contained an iron inset from the brace
which su])ported the Liberty bell in Independ-
ence hall, Philadelphia, and the gift of the Sons
contained an inset from the old statue of Jus-
tice which for 7? years surmounted the dome of
the old Capitol.
The court house occupies the site of the old
High school on which the original city reservoir
stood. In its massive hreproof vaults attached
to the Count}- Clerk's (|uarters are man}- ver}' old
and rare count}- documents running back to 1630
when under Dutch rule Albanv (then Fort
66 Aij;any Guide Book
Orange) was the center of a square 25 miles on
each side of the river. There also are many old
deeds signed by Indians. The Old Dutch and
English records include deeds showing property
ownership from 1656; mortgages from 1765; jus-
tice of the peace records from 1665, and many
very old and valuable maps.
COURTS
Nine courts are held in Albany, located as fol-
lows :
Appeals — In the old State House (p. 164) which is
now occupied solely by this august body.
Claims — In the Capitol.
Supreme and Surrogates — In the County court
house at Eagle and Columbia streets.
United States District — In the Government building
at Broadway and State street.
Police — In City building (p. 57).
City — In City Hall (p. 59).
County — In County court house.
Recorder's — In County courthouse, temixjranly.
Note. — Albany's first court was established by Pieter
Stuyvesant in the old fort in 1652. xA-fter the State
House was built at I'roadway and Hudson avenue in
1673 (rebuilt in 1740) some were held there; there als(j
were the jail and \vhipi)ing post. Later the number of
courts increased and lliey were held in various places.
In 1898 the county bought the Albany Savings Batik
Albany Guide Book 67
building at State and Chapel streets for a county build-
ing and the courts were held there until 1916 when the
removal to the new County Court building took place.
COURT OF APPEALS
Organized by Constitution of 1846 and held
first session July 5, 1(S47, in old Capitol ; members
made elective by Constitution of 1869 ; moved
into new Capitol in July, 1883; opened perma-
nent quarters there July 14, 18S4. On January 8,
1917, the court formally took possession of the
famous old State House (p. 164) which had been
remodeled for its exclusive use. State Architect
Louis F. Pilcher who did the work was compli-
mented by Associate Judge Chase for retaining
the classic outlines of the old building with its
great pillared portico, its famous " flying " stair-
case and its columned rotunda ; also for reproduc-
ing entire in the 85 by 65 addition in the rear the
noted court room in which the court had met for
so many years in the Capitol, with its oak panel-
ing, carved desk, onyx fireplace and paintings of
former judges. The renovated building was
referred to as " The Temj^le of Justice " but the
massi\'e bronze door l)ears the sim])le inscription
'' Coin^t of Appeals." ( )tlicr featiu-cs of the
rem(.)dele(l building arc the great library room
on the second floor, commodious rooms for the
68 Albany Guide Book
judges and clerical force, retiring and lounging
rooms for attorneys. The appropriation for the
work was $350,000, which was not .entirely used.
DEPOTS
Albany is an important railroad center and the
traffic of six great lines is handled through a
commodious granite building on Broadway popu-
larly known as the " Union Station." Here pas-
sengers alight from the trains of the New York
Central, the Delaware & Hudson, the Boston &
Albany, the West Shore, the Rutland and the
Boston & Maine roads, over which an average of
196 passenger trains, 103 freight trains, 210 light
passenger engines and 165 light freight engine:^
run daily. The depot building occupies the
whole block between Steul:)en and Columbia
streets (once the site of the famous old Delavan
House, burned Deceml)er 30, 1894), and from it
run the many trains connecting the East with the
West, which " Take you anywhere at any time "
(in the summer time especially to the Adiron-
dack mountains, the Thousand Islands, Lake
George, etc.). It was ojiened December 17, 1900,
has a waiting-room 134 feet lung by 103 feet wide
and 52 feet high, and even with this capacity must
])t enlarged.
Ar.r.AXv Gutdf Book 69
The Delaware & Hudson road serves the ,2^reat
army of travelers to the northern summer resorts
— the Eastern Adirondack's. Saratoi^a, Lake
(leors^e and " ( )nt Sus(|uehanna Way. " Its mag-
niticent new administration Ijuilding fronts the
riaza (p. 144) at the foot (^f State street.
Note. — The tirst Albany depot stood at the head of
this street on the north side at a short distance below
Eagle street where now is the building known as Van
Vechten Hall. It was built for the old Mohawk & Hud-
son railroad (now part of the New York Central) run-
ning from Albany to Schenectady (first train arrived in
the city May 14. 1832). See Railroads.
DIRECTORIES
Travelers will find a convenient library of
directories for all cities of importance at 448
Broadway. The first Albany director}^ w^as
issued in 1813 by Joseph Fry and contained 60
pages and 1,638 names out of a population of
11,000. It sold for 50c. The 1916 directory con-
tained 57,980 out of a population of 107,979 and
cost $6.00.
DISPOSAL PLANT
This great modern improvement was begun
in 1914 and was to be finished in the spring of
1917. It cost $650,000. It consists of sixteen
70 Ar.r.ANY Guide Book
settling- tanks (Imhoff system) into which the
dry weather flow of sewage amounting to about
30,000,000 gallons daily is taken. The capacity
of the plant is about 60,000,000 gallons daily in
order to provide for the future growth of the city.
The object of the plant is to prevent the pollution
of the river in front of the city by the great
amount of sewage which hitherto poured into it.
At the plant is located an electrically operated
sewage pumping station which takes the sewage
from the intercepting sewer (p. 120) and delivers
it into the great tanks. On Broadway near Tivoli
street a smaller pumping station pumps the
North Albany sewage up to and into the big
sewer which ends at the disposal plant on Wes-
terlo (Van Rensselaer) island below the city
proper. The city owns about 173 acres at this
point where the disposal plant is located of which
about two-thirds is held for future use should the
U. S. Government finally decide to deepen the
Hudson river to 27 feet when the city will build
concrete docks and terminals with warehouses
on the site and thus create a great business cen-
ter there.
On March 5, 1917, the Common Council appro-
priated $200,000 to complete the disposal plant.
Albany GuinR V
n
DISTANCES
The numl)er of miles from All)any to places
most commonly sought by travelers is as follows :
Asbury Park 203
Atlantic City 287
Ausable Chasm 157
Bluff Point (Lake
Champlain) 164
Blue Mt. Lake 124
Cooperstown (Otsego
Lake) 91
Catskill 31
Howes Cave 40
Long Branch 200
Lake Placid 251
Lake George (Cald-
well) 70
Lake Charaplain (Ti-
conderoga) 100
Montreal 242
New York 143
Niagara Falls 319
Ocean Grove 187
Old Point Comfort... 514
Round Lake 26
Raquette Lake 170
Saratoga 39
Saranac Lake 241
Schenectady 1/
Sharon Springs 59
Thousand Islands ... 203
Washington 376
DOCKS
See under '* River Front '' for information con-
cerning- these structures. The original city docks
were three in number and constructed of stone.
Later, wooden docks were built all along the
waterfront. These finally were replaced by the
present concrete structures.
DOCTORS
Over 200 practitioners representing all schools
of medicine are at vour service in Albanv and
72 Albany Guide Book
can readily be reached 1)y telephone. The city
has raised several eminent medical men, notal)ly
Dr. John Swinburne, Dr. Alden March, Dr. James
H. Armsby, Dr. Jacol) S. Mosher, Dr. James W.
Cox and Dr. Samuel B. Ward.
DRIVES
Those of means and leisure can spend much
time agreeably in driving about the city and its
suburbs. The price is $1.50 per hour for a car-
riage holding four persons and having a speed
rate of about four miles per hour. The taxicabs
charge 40c per mile for one or two persons and
$1.50 per hour waiting time. Satisfactory
arrangements as to fare for parties or long dis-
tance rides can be made through any hotel or
restaurant. Some of the drives recommended, in
addition to visits to the country clubs, tours
around the boulevards, etc., are the following:
Through Washington park, 4 miles.
Country roads to Slingerlands, 6 miles.
To the Old Abbey, river road, 3^ mile=.
Country roads to Sloane's, 8 miles.
Rural Cemetery, 4 miles.
Cedar Hill, 6 miles.
To old Forbes Manor house (Rensselaer). 1^ miles.
To Hurst's roadhouse, 3^ miles.
To old Canton roadhouse (now "Smith's Tavern"),
4 miles.
Albany Guide Rook 7^
Cohoes Falls, 9 miles.
Grcenbush Heights. 4 miles.
The Ridge Road (Rensselaer). 6 miles.
Sacred Heart Convent. 2 miles.
Castleton, 8 miles.
Shaker Village. 7 miles.
Xormanskill (The vale of Tawasentha) 4 miles.
Van Rensselaer Manor. 2 miles.
Short drives also can be taken down the river
bank on either side, out Western avenne to the
Country club and to some of the smaller parks.
One general favorite is to Delaware avenue, to
\Miitehall road, to Xew Scotland road, to Pine
Hills, to Manning- boulevard, and back. An
experienced driver will suggest others. Probably
one of the best trips to " see the city " is to start
from the depot, down Broadway to State street,
to Washington avenue past the Capitol and Edu-
cation building, to AVestern avenue, past the Nor-
mal college and High school to the Xorthern
boulevard, around Tivoli lake to Manning boule-
vard, to Madison avenue, to South Lake avenue,
to Xew Scotland avenue to Morris street to Eagle
street, past the Executive mansion to Madison ave-
nue, to Washington park emerging at Englewood
place, then to State street to Eagle to Hudson
avenue to the Public ^larket square, to' South
Pearl street, to Steuben street, to Broadway.
Albany Guide Book
MEMORANDA
Alp.any Gutde Book 75
EDUCATION BUILDING
The maL^niticent edifice on W^ashington avenue,
opposite the Capitol and occupying- an entire city
block, was authorized l)y law in 1906; work began
July 29, 1908 ; building formally dedicated Octo-
ber'l5-17, 1912. Cost nearly $5,000,000 of which
$446,440.75 was for the site. It covers over ly^
acres, is of classical design and is said to be
architecturally one of the finest buildings in the
United States. The construction above the gray
granite base is of white A'ermont marble as also
are the front and end walls and the many
columns. The rear walls are of light-colored
vitreous brick. The roof is of concrete covered
with copper.
The idea of having an editice solely for educa-
tion originated with Commissioner Andrew S.
Draper. Dimensions of building : 590 feet long by
330 deep in the center and 125 feet on the sides.
Height at Hawk street. 148 feet ; at Swan street.
125 feet. The striking feature of the exterior is
the great colonnade with 36 massive columns
each 60 feet high. The main entrance is in the
center of the building on A\^ashington avenue.
The building provides quarters for the adminis-
trative offices of the State Education Depart-
76 xA.Lr,ANY GuTDE Book
ment ; the Stale Museum and State Library and
contains also auaauditorium witli a seating;- capac-
ity of 900.
In the Ijiasement are located the heatuig, ven-
tilatini^- and lighting- apparatus, workrooms,
toilets and the lower iioors of the great library
book stack running 30 feet down under ground
and having a capacity of 2,000,000 volumes; also
the auditorium known as " Chancellor's Hall,"
and adequate safety vaults for the very valuable
manuscripts. The many elevators also start here.
Features of the tirst floor are the great cor-
ridor running" east and west the entire length of
the building and giving access to the general
offices of the Education department, the library
workrooms, the elevators and the spacious stair-
case leading to the floor above.
On the second floor the feature is the great
rotunda measuring about 100 feet and having in
the center a dome 94 feet in height. From this
rotunda extends a great vaulted corridor 48 feet
high leading to the group of five special libraries
(law, medicine, periodicals, legislative reference
and public documents), also to the principal refer-
ence room 125 by 107 feet and 55 feet high,
modeled after the Bibliotheque Nationale in
Albany Guide Book 77
Paris. The rotunda bears appropriate inscrip-
tions and is beautified by a series of notable mural
paintings ])y the celebrated artist, Will H. Low.
The general theme of the paintings is '* The Aspi-
rations of Man for Intellectual Enlightenment."
The third floor contains rooms for the exami-
nations division, the extension division, the divi-
sion of archives and history, etc.
The fourth floor is devoted entirely to the great
museum of the State and rooms used by the
director and staff. The main exhibition hall is
570 feet long, 50 feet high and 54 feet w^ide. The
museum contains wonderful collections in geol-
ogy, mineralogy, botany, etc., and life size groups
illustrating the life history of the Six Nations of
the Iroquois Indians.
ELKS
Lodge No. 49, I>. P. C. E., instituted Septenr-
ber 18, 1886, occupies a handsome permanent
home at 138 State street which was erected at a
cost of $200,000. The building was formally
opened on May 5-6, 1^>13, and is one of the most
commodious and u])-to-date clubhouses particu-
larl}- ada])ted to the re(|uirements of the order in
the country.
78 Albany Guide Book
EXCURSIONS
Time and means alone limit the list of attrac-
tive excursions which may be taken with Albany
as the center, A few of those recommended are
(see also Drives (p. 72) and Distances (p. 71) :
By Trolley
To Troy, to Cohoes to Waterford and return, 22
miles, 2 hours, 30c round trip.
To Troy, to Waterford, to Mechanicville, to Still-
water and return, 20 miles, 40c each way.
To Troy, to Albia, to Averill Park and return, 21
miles, 3 hours. 60c round trip.
A favorite city trolley trip is to Pine Hills and
return; from foot State street, 35 min., 10c.
By Train
To Saratoga, 3.9 miles, $2.34, round trip, 1 day.
To Lake George, 70 miles, $4.20, round trip, 1 day.
To Round Lake, 26 miles, $1.56, round trip, 1 day.
To Sharon Springs, 59 miles, $3.54. round trip, 1 day.
A delightful day may also be spent in the
Indian Ladder region of the Helderberg moun-
tains (see Thacher Park, p. 224). D. & H. train
to Meadowdale, 14 miles, 42 cents one way.
By Boat
To Maple Beach, 4 miles, 5c.
To Troy and return, 12 miles, 10c.
To Castleton and return. 28 miles, 30c.
To Catskill and return, 60 miles, 75c.
To Kingston Point and return, 120 miles, $1.00.
Albany Guide Book 79
EXECUTIVE MANSION
The home which the State has provided for its
governors stands on a terraced site in the midst
of beautiful grounds on Eagle street at the south-
west corner of Elm street. The original site w^as
])ought while Samuel J. Tilden was governor and
the mansion was built under the supervision of
Isaac G. Perry while State architect. It was hrst
occupied by Governor Tilden and formally
opened at his public reception January 25, 1876.
Not open to visitors.
EXPRESS COMPANIES
Albany is the second largest express center in
the country and both the American and National
express companies are located here. The Ameri-
can, formed in 1850 by the consolidation of sev-
eral small companies, has its offices at 31 North
Pearl street and at the depot ; the National at 33
North Pearl street and at the depot. Both are
readily reached l:)y telephone.
FEMALE ACADEMY
This famous old school for girls is located at
155 Washington avenue where its new building-
was opened on January 1, 1892. The school
80 Albany Guidl Book
began its career of usefulness in a l:)uilding- on
Montgomery street May 21, 1814, with Horace
Goodrich as principal ; its next building was on
North Pearl street where now stands the Dris-
lane store. This was dedicated May 12, 1834, and
cost $30,000. It was noted for its great columned
portico. Incorporated 1821.
FILTER PLANT
Albany's water supply is obtained by pumping
from the Hudson river north of the Lumber dis-
trict. Three centrifugal pumps driven by com-
pound engines and each having a daily capacity
of 15,000,000 gallons pump the water up 18 feet
into a sedimentation basin with a capacity of
14,600,000 gallons. After settling about 18 hours
the water is pumped by two 30,000,000 gallon cen-
trifugal pumps u]:)on 16 preliminary mechanical
lilters, each 810 square feet in area, in which the
water is hltered through about two feet of sand
at a comparatively high rate. Alum is used on
these filters when the condition of the raw water
requires it. The pre-hltered water next flows by
gra\'it\' u])on 8 slow sand filters each 0.7 acre
in size and containing from 2 to 4 feet in dcptli of
sand through which the water filters slowlv.
Albany Guidi-: Book 81
These filters are protected from cold weather
by \aulted concrete arches covered with earth,
l^he eftluent of the slow sand filters is further
purihed b}- the addition of minute quantities of
licpiid chlorine which frees the water from bac-
teria.
After the purifying processes the water flows
by gravity through 7,913 feet of 48-inch pipe to
the Ouackenbush street pumping station where
it is pumped directly into the high and low dis-
tribution systems w^ith reliefs to the Prospect and
I'leecker reservoirs respectively. The Ouacken-
bush street station is equipped with hve vertical
triple-expansion pumping engines, three of which
have capacities of 5,000,000 gallons each and two
of 12,000,000 gallons each.
During 1916, the consumption of w^ater was
21,559,000 gallons per day or about 196 galVjns
per capita per day. About 19,990 buildings are
supplied with water of which 7,810 or about 39
per cent are metered.
The water works were originally built l)y the
Albany \\'ater W^jrks Co., incorporated in 1802,
and sold to the city in 1850. A\'ater first was
obtained by pumping from the Hudson river in
6
82 Alijany Guide Book
1876. Slow sand filters placed in operation in
1899, preliminary filters in 1908.
Note.— The purifying plant, said to be one of the
largest and mo^t complete in the United States, occu-
pies 45 acres on the flats north of the Luml^er dis-
trict. Take Broadway car to North street. Work
began in the fall of 1897; plant partly used in July,
1899; cost originally $496,633; designed by Allen Hazen.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Albany is adequately protected against fire by
a highly efficient body of trained men equipped
with all modern appliances for the work. The
department dates back to 1706 and has been " up
to date " ever since its inception. It now is a
paid department and comprises a Chief with
office in the City building (p. ?7) and three
battalions quartered in 14 handsome engine
houses so located as to cover the entire city and
suburbs promptly when called. The firemen in
addition to the officers number 126. The appara-
tus consists of the chief's automobile, three auto-
for the battalion chiefs, 11 engines, 3 aerial and 1
city truck, 4 auto and 8 horse drawn chemicals,
1 autu insurance i)atr(d ])ropularly known a^
"The Protectives." Alarms are given througli
an elaborate signal system covering the entire
Alkany Guil)1£ Book 83
city with 220 public boxes covering the city gen-
erally and 68 private lK)xes covering institutions
and business places. The heart of the signal sys-
tem is located in an adequate building (p. 84) at
Delaware avenue and Morris street. For years
the number of a box indicating the location of a
fire has been struck on the huge bell in the city
hall tower (p. 35). See Fire Alarm.
Note. — In 1688 '' Firemasters " were appointed and
ladders and fire hooks were required to be kept in
each ward. In 1732 the first hand pumping engine was
brought from London and kept in a shed at South
Pearl and Beaver streets. It had 40 feet of leather
hose. A second engine was bought in 1763 and cost
$397.50. The city then had 31 firemen. That year the
city bought 48 leather fire buckets to be kept at the
homes of the aldermen and prominent citizens. A
third engine was bought in 1792 from a Philadelphia
firm and was kept in the shed of the English church
on Yonkers street. In 1834 the Common Council
named Harmanus Van Ingen as the first fire chief; in
1839 an alarm bell was ordered placed in the cupola of
the jail; in 1843 the salary of the chief was fixed at
$600: in 1847 James McQuaid was elected fire chief;
in 1848 the Fire Department was organized ])y law;
in 1849 a hose depot was started on Philip street. In
1864 a steam fire engine was bought by the city and
the Beaverwyck steam fire engine company was organ-
ized. One year later the city had 3 such engines — the
84 Albany Guide Book
James McQuaid. Putnam and the Thomas Kearney.
The paid department was instituted September 1, 1867;
a fire alarm system installed in 1868 and Michael J.
Higgins was made chief on the death of Chief
McQuaid. The Protectives organized in June, 1872.
and the alarm bell was placed in the City Hall tower
in 1882. In 1897 the city bought 3 chemical engines.
Chief Higgins died in 1911 and was succeeded by Wil-
liam W. Bridgeford under whom the auto apparatus
came into use.
FIRE ALARM
In 1867 the Common Council appropriated
$15,000 for an alarm system and on June 1, 1868,
the city had 75 alarm boxes working. In 1882
the big bell was installed in the City Hall tower
at Eagle street and Maiden lane. The system
has kept pace with the growth of the city and
now is housed in a handsome building of Dutch
style of architecture located in an adequate plat
bounded by Delaware and Myrtle avenues, Lark
and Morris streets. The building is 70 by 40 feet
and the lot 195 by 200 feet, and it is equipped
with every modern convenience and a])])liance for
successful work. Erected 1916-17. Take a Del-
aware avenue car. P'or some account of big hres
which have visited Albany see Addenda (p. 213).
Albany Guidr Book 85
FRATERNAL ORDERS
Albanians arc essentially " Joiners " and if
there is a fraternal organization not represented
in the city it has hut to make itself known to he
assured of a hearty welcome. Besides the Free-
masons, Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, O. E. S., K. of
P., Redmen, Elks, G. A. R., Foresters, Druids,
Royal Arcanum, C. B. L., \\'oodmen, K. O. T. M.,
Flaymakers and K. of C, there are a host of others
whose insignia appears on buttons worn by the
inhabitants. For the older orders see under the
proper headings. Among the societies are in-
cluded also 13 Jewish, 4 Italian, 1 Irish, 3 Scotch
and several German associations.
GEOLOGICAL HALL
The big brick building at State and Lodge
streets, now occupied by the Department of Agri-
culture, originally housed the State Museum of
Natural History and was known as the Geological
Hall. It was built in 1858 on the site of the old
State Hall which was erected in 1797. It was
here that Prof. James Hall, who was State geolo-
gist from 1836 to 1898, presided over the famous
collections which made him as well as the State
famous.
86 Albany Guide Book
Note. — Professor Hall did his studying- for the most
part in a little red brick building which still stands in
Lincoln park (p. 136) and which for half a century was
the active center of geological study in the United
States. At their session in the Education building in
1916 the National Geological Association ordered the
building monumented with a bronze tablet bearing the
following inscription
" This Building Was Erected By
JAMES HALL
State Geologist of New York
1836-1898
" For 50 years it served as his office and laboratory,
and from it graduated many geologists of merit and
distinction. During most of that period it was an influ-
ential and active center of geological science in this
country.
" Erected By
The Association of American State
Geologists
1916"
AL15ANY ClUTDE BoDK 87
MEMORANDA
88 Albany Guide Book
GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The granite edifice at State street and Broad-
way houses the Federal offices. It occupies the
site of the old Exchange, and of the Mechanics
«Sc Farmers bank ; cost about $700,000 ; corner-
stone laid by the Masonic fraternity May 7, 1879.
Occupied by the Internal Revenue department
December, 1883; by the Post Office, January 1,
1884; contains the Federal offices and courts.
Just inside and facing the Broadway entrance a
battered fragment of the cornerstone of the old
Exchange building is framed into the wall, show-
ing a nearly defaced inscription with the dates
1727 and 1837. The custom house receipts for
duties in 1916 were $123,486.51 ; value of mer-
chandise $1,099,484.00; the internal revenue
receipts $9,219,845.10, which sufficiently indicate
Albany's importance as a port of entry. A total
of 526 vessels were enrolled at the port in 1916.
GRAND ARMY HEADQUARTERS
In the Capitol, opposite the main entrance on
the second floor, is located the Military Bureau
containing the museum of war relics and the war
records of the State. The local Department of
the G. A. R. is represented by
Alp.anv Guide r>ooK 89
Lew I'enedict Ppst. Xo. 5, located at 31 (jreen
street.
L. ,0. Morris Post, No. 121. located in County Court
House.
George S. Dawson Post, No. 63, located at 206
Washington avenue.
\V. A. Jackson Post. No. 644. located in County
Court House.
There also is a Woman's Relief Corps, No. 45; a
circle of the Ladies of the G. A. R.; two camps of
Sons of Veterans (Sheridan and Ten Eyck) ; a camp of
Spanish War Veterans and an auxiliary; a camp of
V^eterans of Foreign Wars, and an auxiliary, and the
Margaret Vander Veer Tent of the Daughters of
Veterans.
HALLS, PUBLIC
In Harmanus Bleecker Hall, Washington ave-
nue, near Lark street, Albany originally had one
of the best public halls in the country, but the
interior has been changed and the handsome
auditorium spoiled for the purpose for which the
building was dedicated and intended in order to
make it into a paying theater property. The
building was made possible by the bequest of
about $130,000 by a public spirited citizen whose
name it perpetuates, augmented by generous
public subscriptions ($56,000 besides the sum of
$10,000 from Erastus Corning). Even the public
school children oave their mite. Harmanus
90 Albany Guide Rook
]^)leecker wanted to i^ive to. Albany something
that would be of 1)enelit to the city and a public
hall was decided on at the time. The building
forms a part of the Young Men's Association
property. It was opened October 9, 1889 ; inte-
rior remodeled in 1898. It is hreproof and
equipped with all modern conveniences. It had
one of the largest stages in the country as a pub-
lic hall. The space in front was reserved under
the original plan for a building to be occupied by
one similar to that of the Historical and Art
Society to contain relics of old Albany. An
arcade was to give access to the hall.
Note. — Harmanus Bleecker, born October 19, 1779;
died July 19, 1849; was prominent as a lawyer, phil-
anthropist. Assemblyman, Congressman, Regent of the
University and Minister to the Hague. He lived at
the southeast corner of Chapel and Steuben streets.
He left a bequest "for the benefit of tlie city" and his
widow on her death turned the property over to J. V. L.
Pruyn " to be used in some judicious way to be per-
manently beneficial to the city of Albany." Mr. Pruyn
transferred the bequest to Amasa J. Parker who desired
to see a fireproof public hall erected, capable of seat-
ing 2,500 people, and offered the property to the city
for such a memorial purpose. It was accepted on
March 9. 1877. A citizens' committee with John Boyd
Thacher at its head undertook to raise $50,000 to secure
the bequest of $130,000. They actually collected $56,518
Albany Gutof. Book 91
of which the public school children gave $682.14 and
the High school pupils $451.45, the understanding being-
at the time that future coniniencenient exercises should
be held in the new hall when erected. For a time the
hall was much enjoyed by the people but the trustees
found the income from it was not sufficient to support
the defunct Y. M. A., and its library and the J. V. L.
Pruyn library afterward erected at North Pearl street
and Clinton avenue and the trustees changed the hall
over into its present condition, thus nullifying the
original purpose of the bequest and benefitting the
city nothing. In 1913 the trustees who control the
property placed the following tablet at the side of the
west entrance to the building:
HARMANUS BLEECKER HALL
Cornerstone Laid October, 1888
Building Dedicated October. 1889
The erection of this building was made possible by
Sabastiana Cornelia Coster, of Holland, the widow of
Harmanus Bleecker, late of Albany, New York, who,
in accordance with the expressed wish of her husband,
gave to John V. L. Pruyn. in trust, an estate, inherited
from her husband, that it might in the discretion
of the trustee be devoted to a use beneficial to the
people of Albany; by testamentary devise of John V. L.
Pruyn this estate passed to Amasa J. Parker, by whose
instrumentality it was given to the '' Young Men's As-
sociation for Mutual Improvement in the City of
Albany " for the construction of this edifice, all of
which was supplemented by the avails of the bequest
92 Albany Guide Book
of Erastus Corning', Senior, and the generous givings
of the people of Albany incliuling the school children.
Board of Trustees
1888—1889
Erastus Corning, President
Henry R. Pierson, Vice-President
William P. Rudd. Secretary and Treasurer.
Dudley Olcott
Amasa J. Parker, Jr.
John H. Van Antwerp
Maurice E. Viele.
Ex-officio Members of the Board
Charles L. Pruyn, Frederick Easton, Curtis N. Doug-
las, Elmer Blair, Charles J. Buchanan, Lewis M. Gray,
Leonard Kip.
Fuller and Wheeler, architects.
Other halls which are available for gatherings
are as follows :
Cameron, 286 Central avenue; capacity 300.
Centennial, at Lodge and Pine streets — Erected 1898,
property of St. Mary's church; capacity 700.
Chancellor's, Education building; capacity 1,000.
Eastern Star, at Lark street and Hudson avenue —
Erected 1916; capacity 500.
German Hall, Beaver street, below South Pearl
street — Erected 1906; capacity 1,000.
Graduates Hall. Elk street, above St. Agnes school;
capacity 200.
K. of C, 131 North Pearl street — Erected 1909;
capacity 500.
^t^Mf
Ali:.\nv (jUidk Hook 93
St. Andrews, 69 Howard street; erected 1902; capac-
it} 250.
Union Hall, 84 Eagle .street; capacity 1,000.
There also are a num]:)er of others strictly used
for fraternal purposes.
HIGH SCHOOL
The magnihcent million dollar building front-
ing on Lake avenue with entrances on Western
and Washington avenues is one of the newest
monuments in progressive Albany from an educa-
tional standpoint. The building is c64 feet long
by 107 feet wide, with an auditorium in the rear
72 1)y 80 feet. It was opened in the fall of 1913.
The material is tapestry brick, and in round num-
bers the details of the cost were : Construction,
$800,000; condemnation, $128,000; grounds and
walks, $12,000; equipment, $60,000.
Note. — The High school is the direct outgrowth of
the old Albany Free Academy which was established
in 1868 after much opposition. It was opened in what
now is known as Van Vechten hall on State street
just below Eagle and the lirst principal was John E.
Bradley. In 1876 the first High school building was
opened at Eagle and Columbia and Steuben streets on
the site of the old city reservoir where now stands
the County Court House. It remained there and
attained a high position in the educational world until
the present magnificent edifice was opened.
94 Albany Guide Book
HISTORIC HOUSES
Most of the ancient historic houses for which
Albany was noted have been razed to make way
for modern improvements, but some remain that
are still well preserved and by their interesting-
attributes attest the notable past of the city.
Leading all is the famous Schuyler mansion
located on an eminence at the head of Schuyler
street. It was built in 1762 and restored to its
original condition as far as might be by the State
in 1915. It was formally opened on April 17 of
that year by Mrs. Daniel Manning and the board
of trustees. There also is the old Ten Broeck
mansion standing in the spacious grounds between
Livingston avenue, Ten Broeck street and Ten
Broeck place ; built by General Abraham Ten
Broeck in 1798 and having dimensions of 44 by
52 feet. It now is the property of Mr. Dudley
Olcott, the banker, who has carefully looked after
its preservation. The old Prentice mansion at
Kenwood, noted for its massive gateway sur-
mounted by sculptured lions is now used for
charitable purposes.
Across the river in Riverside avenue, Rensse-
laer, is what is known as old Fort Crailo where
the contemptuous song known as " Yankee
Aij'.ANv Gliidk Book 95
Doodle "' is said to have been written. For years
it has been asserted that this house was built in
1(A2 by Kiliaen \^an Rensselaer, the orii>inal Pat-
roon ; that it was changed into a dwelling' house
in 1704 by his grandson Hendrick and enlarged
in 1740 1)y his great grandson, Col. Johannes Van
Rensselaer. It now is a sturdy three-storied
brick building which after many vicissitudes was
bought by Mrs. A. IL Strong of New Brunswick,
X. J., November 4, 1915, and presented to the
Daug'hters of the American Revolution for use as
a meeting place and as a museum. It was not
found desirable for the society and in 1916 it was
offered to the State for preservation. At that
time its claims to fame and antiquity were seri-
ously questioned by State Historian James Sull-
ivan. Crailo is said to have been named after an
estate in Holland and the word is said to mean
a *' crow." A stone in the cellar is inscribed
" KVR 1642," and another " Do. Megapolensis."
Over the north door is the inscription " JVR
1740." If the prevailing beliefs are true it is the
first home of the Van Rensselaer family in Amer-
ica and the oldest continuously inhal)ited dwell-
imi- in the United States.
96 Albany Guide Book
HISTORIC OLD HOUSE SITES
Oldest Albany building- — The County bank at
the southeast corner of State and South Pearl
streets occupies the site of the oldest building,
that Albany once had. A bronze bi-centennial
tablet on the Pearl street side recites that this was
the site of the birthplace of General Philip Schuy-
ler and of Elizabeth Schuyler (afterward the wife
of Alexander Hamilton) and that near it stood
the famous Lewis Tavern on the west. The
original building was familiarly known as the
" Staats House " and was famous for its interior
decorations. It was removed in 1887.
First Van Rensselaer Manor — This occupied
a plat on the west side of Broadway near Tivoli
street where a tablet simply announces that it
was the " Residence of the Patroons." Opposite
stood the first manor house, just north of
Thacher street, removed in 1893 and in part re-
built as a Sigma Phi fraternity house on Williams
College campus.
Lansing House — This stood at the northeast
corner of North Pearl and Columbia streets and
the location w^as long known as the " Pem1)er-
ton corner " because uf a business conducted
there. The original was built in 1710 and was a
Albany Guide Book 97
trading post outside the stockade. It was
removed in 1886 and replaced by the business col-
lege.
Quackenbush House — Site was at southeast
corner of Broadway and Quackenbush street. It
was built before the Colonial wars. " Burgoyne
is said to have served his captors with refresh-
ments here and John Jacob Astor to have slept
here while on a trading trip.''
The old Van Rensselaer office building in
North Albany, near Pleasant street, in which the
last Patroon, Stephen Van Rensselaer, trans-
acted his business was torn down in the fall of
1916 to make room for the International Har-
\'ester plant. The building was estimated to be
about 250 years old when razed. It was a small,
one-story brick structure, valuable only from an
historic viewpoint. Neither the city nor the
family descendants would undertake to preserve
this sole remaining monument of the old family.
HISTORICAL AND ART SOCIETY
The spacious building occupied by the Albanv
Institute (p. 26) and Historical and Art Society
on Washington avenue, near Dove street, con-
tains one of the most remarkable collections of
7
98 Albany Guide Book
curios and art treasures ever brought together
to illustrate a city's history and interest its resi-
dents and visitors. Ancient Albany heirlooms,
rare china, bronzes, beautiful tapestry and paint-
ings and collections of books, autographs, etc.,
are among the treasures sure to attract students,
historians and collectors. The building is open
from 2 to 5 p. m., free of charge on Saturdays and
Sundays; on all other days a fee of 25c is charged.
Note. — The Historical and Art Society was organ-
ized September 25, 1886, as one result of the bi-centen-
nial celebration loan exhibition. Its object is " to care
for the historical and artistic interests of Albany." It
inherits the traditions and relics of the Albany Gallery
of Fine Arts (incorporated 1846) and the Albany Insti-
tute (organized 1791, incorporated 1829) which prac-
tically merged in 1900. In 1877 the organization bought
and occupied a building at 176 State street; in 1908 the
present building costing $85,000 was dedicated. The
paintings of the old Gallery of Fine Arts which had
been cared for by the Y. M. A., formed the nucleus of
the present art gallery which was greatly augmented in
1901 by munificent gifts of paintings by J. Townsend
Lansing. The collections now in the building are con-
sidered priceless. " Within the compass of the Society's
Dutch and English collections, its galleries, books and
portraits and incunabula there is comprised and illus-
trated the real significance of Albany in the State and
Nation, an exposition of the type of the city Albany is
and has been, and of the homes and the people. All
Albany Guide Book 99
the way from Dutch pewter and Bibles printed in time-
blurred Hollandish, to English colonial spinnet and
footstove. there is Albany's past plain to the observer
in the Society's collections; while the archives of the
old Institute bear witness to the group of scientists in
the early part of the Nineteenth century that made
Albany memorable and finally produced the Society for
the Advancement of Science in America, and through
Joseph Henry, the actual germ of this "electric age";
while the pictures and objects of art in the Society's
collections stand for what culture has come to the old
Dutch city, the artists of note it has produced and the
standard of refinement and appreciation of the finer
things of life in its homes."
HISTORIC PLACES
Albany is particularly rich in historic and inter-
esting places, although most of the quaint old
buildings have been displaced by modern struc-
tures and few even of the residents know their
former locations. Fortunately for the visitor and
the new resident as well, during the celebration
of the city's 200th anniversary in 1886 a series of
enduring bronze tablets was set up to show the
sites of the old landmarks, locate interesting
places and record the ancient names of the
streets. The custodian of these tablets now is
the City Engineer. The most important tablets
are :
100 Albany Guide Book
Municipal Tablet
On Eagle street wall of City Hall, near Maiden
Lane corner. Contains coat of arms of city and
inscription
Tablet commemorating- the two hundredth anni-
versary of Albany as a chartered city. Settled
about 1624. Charter granted by Gov. Dongan,
July 22, 1686. State Legislature held here per-
manently since 1797. Early names of city: Fort
Orange, Beverwycke, Wilemstadt. First City
Hall erected near Fort Orange about 1686. Sec-
ond one northeast corner Broadway and Hudson
avenue about 1705. Third one on this site 1829.
Burned 1881. Fourth or present building erected
1883. First Mayor, 1686, Pieter Schuyler. Cen-
tennial Mayor, 1786, Johannes Jacobs Beekman.
Bi-centennial Mayor, 1886, John Boyd Thacher.
(The names of the bi-centennial committee foL
low.)
Fort Orange Tablet ,.
At Steamboat square, east of bend in Broad-
way, granite block bearing bronze tablet.
Inscription :
Upon this Spot, washed by the tide, stood the
North East bastion of Fort Orange, erected
about 1623. Here the powerful Iroquois met the
deputies of this and other colonies in confer-
ence to establish treaties. Here the first courts
were held. Here in 1643, under the direction of
Albany Guide Book 101
Dominie Johannes Megapolensis, a learned and
estimable minister, the earliest church was
erected North West of the fort, and to the South
of it stood the dominie's house.
Fort Frederick Tablet
Granite l)lock bearing- tablet stands on sidewalk
near curb on lower edge Capitol park. Inscrip-
tion :
Facing the river on an eminence on this broad
street opposite St. Peter's church stood Fort
Frederick. Built about 1676. Removed 1789.
Gallows Hill to the South. Fort burial ground
to the North.
City Gate Tablets
On granite 1)lock in IMaza facing Broadway.
Inscription:
On the North East corner of Broadway, then
Court street, and Hudson, then Spanish street,
stood the second City Hall, erected 1705, in which
the famous Congress of 1754 "Met and prepared
a union of the several colonies for mutual
defense and security." The South East gate of
the city stood in front, to the South of the City
Hall. On this ground was the house where
lived Pieter Schuyler, the first and for eight suc-
cessive years Mayor of Albany.
r02 Albany Guide Book
On granite block on walk near curb in front of
59 North Pearl street. Inscription :
Near this corner stood the North West gate of the
city. On this spot Governor De Witt Clinton,
the promoter of the great Erie canal, died Feb.
11, 1828.
On north wall of depot building, Broadway and
Steuben street. Inscription:
A little to the East of this spot stood the North
East gate of the city. Here it was that Symon
Schermerhorn at five o'clock in the morning
" Die Sabbithi," February 9, 1690, after a hard
ride by the way of Niskayuna in the intense cold
and deep snow, shot in the thigh and his horse
wounded, arrived with just enough strength to
awaken the guard and alarm the people of
Albany with the news " Yt ye French and
Indians have murthered ye people of Skinnech-
tady!" Symon's son and negroes were killed on
that fatal night. Symon died in New York, 1696.
To the north was the road to the Canadas.
Through this gate passed many of the troops ai
various times rendezvoused at Albany. The
remains of Lord Howe were brought back this
way, and Burgoyne returned a prisoner.
Old House Site Tablets
On State street side Mechanics & Farmers
bank. Inscription :
Albany Guide Book 103
Upon this corner stood the house occupied by, and
wherein died, Anneke Janse Bogardus, 1663. The
former owner of Trinity church property, New
York.
On walk at northeast corner North Pearl and
Columbia streets. Inscription :
The old Lansing house. Built 1710. Known for 68
years as The Pemberton Corner. A trading house
outside the stockade.
On South Pearl street wall County Bank build-
ing- (at first was on the original house torn down
to make place for the bank). Inscription:
Vjhe oldest building in Albany, built 1667. Birth-
place of General Philip Schuyler and Elizabeth
Schuyler, his daughter, wife of Alexander Ham-
ilton. Adjoining on the west was the famous
Lewis Tavern. South Pearl street, formerly
Washington street, was but twelve feet wide,
having a gate at this place.
There should be on the North Pearl street front
of the new Albany Savings Bank building a tablet
which was on the old Perry building, erected by
Johannes Beekman, which occupied the site.
Inscription :
Site of Vanderheyden Palace. Erected 1725.
Demolished to make space for the First Baptist
Church, 1833.
(The weather vane was taken to Sunny side by
Washington Irving.)
104 Albany Guide Book
On Catharine street side of retaining wall
inclosing grounds at head of Schuyler street.
Inscription :
The Schuyler Mansion. Erected by General Brad-
street, 1762. Washington, Franklin, Gates,
DeRochambeau, Steuben, La Fayette, and many
of the great men of that time were entertained
here. Gens. Burgoyne and Reidesel as guests
though prisoners of war, 1777. Alexander Ham-
ilton and Elizabeth Schuyler married here 1780.
*On granite block on walk on west side Broad-
way near Tivoli street. Inscription :
Opposite, Van Rensselaer Manor House erected
1765. Residence of the Patroons. The site of
the first Manor house.
On wall of old mansion in Rensselaer. Inscrip-
tion :
This Manor House built by Johannes Van Rens-
selaer, 1642.
Old Church Tablets
On State street front of St. Peter's near Lodge
street. Inscription :
In the middle of State, formerly Yonkers street.
one block below stood the first English Church,
*The handsome old building popularly known as "The
Patroons," was offered to Albany to be rebuilt in
Washington park as a museum. It was given to Wil-
liams College and in part rebuilt there as a Sigma Phi
chapter house in October, 1893. •
Albany Guide Book lOo
built A. D. 1715 upon ground granted by letters
patent from King George the First. It bore the
name of St. Peter's church. The parish was
incorporated 1769. The second St. Peter's
church was built on this site A. D. 1802, and
bore this inscription — " Glory to the Lord for
He is good, for His mercy endureth forever."
The present edifice was built A. D. 1859. Upon
this spot stood the north east bastion of Fort
Frederick.
On Government building, Broadway at corner
of State street. Inscription:
Opposite, at the intersection of these streets, stood
the Old Dutch Church. Built 1656. Rebuilt
1715. Removed 1806. Burial ground around it.
On Pine street wall, St. Mary's church, near
Chapel street. Inscription :
Site of Old St. Mary's. Built A. D. 1797. The first
Catholic parish church in Albany and second in
the State. The entrance was directly under this
tablet. A second building on this same spot fac-
ing on Chapel street, was the original cathedral
of this diocese.
On Hudson avenue wall of building northeast
corner Grand street and Hudson avenue. Inscrip-
ton :
Site of first Presbyterian church. Built 1763.
• Removed 1796.
106 Albany Guide Book
On South Pearl street front of City building.
Inscription :
Site of first Lutheran church. Built 1669. Removed
1816. Burial ground around it. Between this
spot and Beaver street flov^ed Ruttenkill.
On wall of building southeast corner North
Pearl and Orange streets. Inscription :
On this south east corner of Orange and Pearl
streets Mras erected the first Methodist church,
1792.
Famous Citizen Tablets
On Eagle street front, City Hall. Inscription :
Kilian Van Rensselaer, the progenitor of the Van
Rensselaer family in America, a merchant of
Amsterdam, Holland, the original proprietor and
first patroon of the Manor of Rensselaerw^yck,
under a grant from the Dutch government in
1629. In the follov^ing years he bought from the
Indians lands lying both sides of the Hudson,
from Baeren Island to Cohoes Falls and estab-
lished the settlement.
On North Pearl street front of Ten Eyck hotel.
Inscription :
Where Philip Livingston, one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence, was born, 1716.
On southeast corner Boys' Academy. Inscrip-
tion :
Joseph Henry, an eminent discoverer and leader in
science. Born in Albany, 1799. Died in Wash-
ington, 1878. His experiments in electricity were
Albany Guide Book 107
made in this building wiiile professor of mathe-
matics, 1826-1832. ****'Pq i-iig discoveries in
electro-magnetism the world is indebted, more
than to any other man for the possession of the
telegraph.
On front of the building, 60 State street.
Inscription :
In memory of Joel Munsell, printer of Albany, who
a native of Massachusetts, did more than any
other man to preserve the ancient records of his
adopted city. Born 1808, died 1880. Here he
])egan his earliest work.
On Steuben street wall of High School, which
stood at the corner of Eagle street, was a tablet
with inscription :
Whereas, the teaching of the English tongue is
necessary in the government, I have therefore
thought fitt to give Lycence to John Shutte to be
the English schoolmaster at Albany, and upon
condition that said John Shutte shall not
demand any more wages for each schollar than
is customarily given by the Dutch to the Dutch
schoolmaster, I have further granted to the said
John Shutte that hee bee the only English
schoolmaster at Albany.
Given under my hand at Fort James in New York
the twelvth day of October 1665.
Richard Nicolls,
Governor.
(This tablet was taken down when the school was razed
and will be placed in or on the new school.)
108 Albany Guide, Book
Notable Locality Tablets
On granite block on walk at curb, northwest
corner State and North Pearl streets. Inscrip-
tion :
Old Elm Tree Corner. So named from a tree
planted here by Philip Livingston about 1735
Removed 1877. Also the site upon w^hich were
published Webster's famous reading, spelling
book and ahnanac, and the first Albany news-
paper, the Albany Gazette, 1771.
On North Pearl street wall of building, north-
east corner State. Inscription :
Lydius corner. Upon this site stood the first brick
building said to have been • erected in North
America. Of material imported from HollancI
for the Rev, Gideon Schaet's parsonage, 1657.
On Beaver street wall of building, northwest
corner Beaver and Green streets. Inscription :
Site of Hugh Denniston's tavern. The first stone
house in Albany, where Gen. Washington was
presented with the freedom of the city in 1782
and 1783. It was removed during the year of the
first cholera, 1832.
On front wall of building where stood the old
Green street theater. Inscription :
First theater in Albany erected on this spot 1811.
First theatrical representation given (place not
known) by British officers quartered in Albany,
1760, during the French war. The first profes-
sionals played at the old hospital, present site
Albany Guide Book 109
of Lutheran church, corner Pine and Lodge
streets, 1769.
In Academy park at intersection of walks.
Inscription :
Upon this ground the ratification of the Constitu-
tion of the United States was celebrated, 1788.
In 1856 the dedicatory ceremonies of the Dudley
observatory, and in 1864 the great Army Relief
Bazaar were held here.
In Capitol park near State street side. Inscrip-
tion :
Site of main entrance to Old Capitol, erected 1806.
Gen. La Fayette was received here, 1824. The
remains of President Lincoln and many other
prominent men lay in state here. The State
Library ^vas adjoining and with the Capitol,
demolished 1883. Fronting on this park stood
Congress Hall, famous for its distinguished
guests. Daniel Webster addressed the citizens
from its steps. 1844.
* On Broadway front of building which stood
at northeast corner Broadway and Hudson ave-
nue. Inscription:
The Declaration of Independence was tirst pub-
licly read in Albany by order of the Committee
of Safety, July 19. 1776, in front of the City Hall,
then on this site. This memorial of the event
was placed here by the citizens July 4. 1876.
A\'hen this building was torn down in 1915 the
tablet was removed to the Plaza.
*Marble tablet. Not bi-centennial.
110 Albany Guide Book
Ancient Watercourse tablets
On granite block on walk near curb on Arch
street near corner South Pearl. Inscription :
Beaver kill. Ancient water course flowing to river.
Arched over. Buttermilk Falls in the ravine to
the West.
On south wall of building, corner Sheridan
avenue and North Pearl street. Inscription :
Foxen kill — ancient water course flowing in early
times to the river — now arched over. This is
Canal street, formerly Fox street.
On South Pearl street front of City building.
Inscription :
* * * * Between this spot and Beaver street flowed
Ruttenkill.
HOMES FOR AGED
There are two well known institutions for the
care of the aged in the city — one for men and
one for women :
The Home for Aged Men occupies a handsome
building on the west side of the Troy road at
Menands (p. 128); incorporated October 5, 1876; this
building dedicated March 28, 1878; " first inmate
received in April of that year.
Home of the Friendless (for women only) is
located at the northeast corner of Clinton avenue and
Perry street in a substantial brick building erected on
the site given by James Kidd; dedicated May 5, 1870.
The work is in charge of the Albany Guardian Society.
Albany Guide Book ' 111
MEMORANDA
112 Albany Guide Book
HOSPITALS
Eii^ht excellent institutions exist in Albany for
those needing;- either medical or surgical aid. The
largest is the Albany hospital, incorporated 1849,
formerly for years at Eagle and Howard streets
where it was popularly known as the City hos-
pital. It now occupies a magnificent group of
modern buildings on New^ Scotland avenue,
opened 1898. Dr. Jacobi of New York called it
the " most complete and best equipped modern
hospital in the world." Take New Scotland ave-
nue l)us. Other hospitals are :
St. Peter's, at Broadway and North Ferry street —
Site of old Stephen Van Rensselaer mansion: incorpor-
ated 1869 and occupied in November of that year.
Homeopathic, at 161 North Pearl street — Incorpor-
ated 1872 and opened in May that year; present build-
ing opened 1909.
Child's, at Elk and Hawk streets — Established 1874.
Incurables — Opened March 26. 1875. at 390 Madison
avenue; incorporated 1884: now occupies old Prentice
mansion at Kenwood Heights where it opened April
26. 1903.
Maternity, the A. N. Brady. Main avenue and Lan-
caster street — Opened in February. 1915; a memorial
building, fireproof and having a thoroughly modern
Albany Guide Book 113
equipment; in charge of Sisters of Charity; accommo-
dates 50 patients; special ambulance service attached.
Note. — The hrst institution was the "old army hos-
pital" located on Pine street near Lodge; a two-story
building with 40 wards used only for soldiers. The old
City Hospital opened at the southwest corner of Dove
street and Madison avenue November 1, 1851; bought
the old jail property at Eagle and Howard streets in
1852 and occupied it August 8, 1854. Cornerstone of
new group buildings on New Scotland avenue laid by
Masonic fraternity June 23, 1898. See above. Others
were added as the city grew and the requirements of
the ill or injured made greater accommodations
necessary.
HOTELS
All purses and requirements can be suited by
the hotels of Albany. For many years the seat
of local hotel life was the famous old Delevan
House which stood where the depot now is and
which was destroyed by hre on the night of
December 30, 1894, with the loss of several lives.
It was partly remodeled but finally closed Septem-
ber 2, 1898, and the site sold to the New York
Central railroad. The great hotel of the city now
is the Ten Eyck which began in a handsome
])uilding at State and Chapel streets, the site of
the old Van Rensselaer mansion which was
8
114 Albany Guide Book
rebuilt and occupied by Erastus Corning, Jr. See
further description of this hostelry on page 115.
Other hotels are :
The Hampton, at 38 State street — Occupies the
remodeled building of the Commercial bank (p. 33) ;
opened in 1906; capacity 192 rooms; European plan.
Stanwix Hall, at southeast corner Broadway and
Maiden lane — Occupies site of the birthplace of
General Peter Gansevoort, the hero of Fort Stanwix;
erected 1833 and originally called " The Pavilion " but
the name changed in honor of the owner's father;
remodeled in 1844; capacity 130 rooms; American and
European.
Keeler's, at southwest corner Broadway and Maiden
lane — For men only; opened 1888 but since that date
greatly enlarged and improved; capacity 225 rooms:
European.
New Kfenmore, at North Pearl and Columbia streets
— Erected 1878, improved in succeeding years and
practically rebuilt and greatly enlarged in 1915 and
1916; capacity with annex 350 rooms; European.
Wellington, 136 State street — Opened 1911 and
greatly enlarged in 1915; capacity 200 rooms; rooms
only.
HOTEL TEN EYCK
This great ^modern hostelry now towering at
the corner of State and North Pearl streets began
to cater to the public in the building at State and
4
B^
^0^^
( te^ ILl^
TEN EYCK HOTEL
r
1
him' -■-^, :y
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\m>v^ nri - mmt aiKi ■>■ > '
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Albany Guide Book 115
Chapel streets where once stood the old Van
Rensselaer mansion which afterward was re-
modeled and occupied for years by Erastus Corn-
ing, Jr. This part of the hotel was erected in
1898 and opened May 21, 1899. The new addi-
tion to the Ten Eyck occupies a still more noted
site as it replaced the Tweddle building on the
famous " Elm Tree Corner " (p. 108). Here the
progressive president of the Ten Eyck Company,
Frederick \\\ Rockwell, has now^ the final thing
in hotels in the State. The new edifice towers 18
stories above the '* busy corner " of the city and
in it is contained every device known for the com-
fort of the traveler. The management continues
in the hands of Alfred H. Rennie, who is widely
known for his success in giving the public just
what it wants. The great building was started in
May, 1916, but its opening was deferred until the
summer of 1917.
Stores and offices occupy the lower floors of the
new addition to the Ten Eyck but so great is the
capacity that the complete hotel wall have over
400 desirable rooms, the great majority of which
have private baths. The main dining-room has a
Tennessee marble floor, and is provided with
a specially improved lighting system of unusual
beauty. A model air-washed ventilating system,
116 Albany Guide Book
which is used throughout the hotel will add
greatly to the comfort of guests. The popular
restaurant in the front of the original building
will invite all comers by its added beauty of deco-
ration. The former ballroom has given place
to a beautiful tearoom having all the added
attractions which artistic talent can give. The
familiar lobby in enlarged form, with new
floor and decorations, continues to attract
patrons. It has in addition to the cigar stand an
up-to-date barber shop. The familiar basement
grillroom is retained in enlarged and improved
form for the convenience of guests preferring this
restaurant which will be made doubly attractive
in its new design.
Special features of the new part are a com-
modious and handsome ballroom and an elaborate
roof garden located on the sixteenth floor, com-
manding a wonderful view of the city and the
Hudson river. These have as desirable adjuncts
convenient and attractive retiring rooms, a thor-
oughly modern and sanitary gas kitchen and the
necessary pantries. The decorations of the ball-
room and garden are especially beautiful. On
the assembly floor below a feature is made of
handsomely decorated and convenient private
dining-rooms.
Albany Guide Book 117
In addition to the special attention which is
given throughout to sanitation, the management
has provided most convenient means for reaching
every floor by quick and smoothly running ele-
vators, fully adequate to the demands of the
single guest or of the groups desirous of reaching
the private dining-rooms, the garden restaurant
or the ballroom on the upper floors. In short,
the Ten Eyck offers the best possible service and
is fully equipped to handle the business of its
patrons to their fullest satisfaction at all times.
HUMANE SOCIETY
The Mohawk and Hudson River Humane
Society, incorporated in 1892, acquired the old
hosi)ital building at Eagle and Howard streets in
1901 and conducts its activities from adequate
(|uarters there. Its objects are to(^ well known to
rccpiire lengthy description.
118 Albany Guide Book
MEMORANDA
Albany Guide Book 119
INDUSTRIES
Few cities in the country have more diversified
industries than Albany. Many of those located
here are peculiar to the place and have even
reached other countries through their branches.
In 1914 a $200,000 building was erected by popu-
lar subscription at 1031 Broadway to attract
smaller industries and is known as the Industrial
building. Among the things which Albany has
in the industrial line are these :
The largest factory in the world for the manu-
facture of embossed dominoes, checkers and
alphabet blocks; the largest factory for the manu-
facture of car-heating apparatus ; the largest fac-
tory for the manufacture of composition billiard
balls ; the largest and only one for the making of
s tove specialties ; the largest factory for making
ridhesive pastes; one of the largest known for the
manufacture of stationery ; the largest axle grease
factory known ; the largest factory for making
ribbed underwear; the largest factory for making
college caps and gowns ; the original and greatest
plant for making perforated paper; the largest
factory for making paper-makers' felts ; one of the
largest and best equipped engraving plants in the
country ; one of the greatest aniline dye factories
in the United States ; and so manv other and so
120 Albany Guide Book
greatly diversified lines of industries that it would
not be possible to enumerate them all within rea-
sonable space. For further ideas on the subject
see the Chamber of Commerce lists (p. 50).
INTERCEPTING SEWER
In July, 1914, the city began the construction
of a great sewer to do away with existing nuis-
ances inherent in the old system. The work was
finished late in the summer of 1915 and cost
$404,118.03. The sewer extends from the north
end of the city at Tivoli street and Broadway
parallel with the river, intercepting all the old
sewers which formerly drained into the river and
the basin and carries the flow to a great disposal
plant located on Westerlo island just south of the
city. The sewer is ^jA miles long and from 2 to 6
feet in diameter. It has a fall of about 12 feet
between the north and the south terminus. This
great sanitary engineering work was undertaken
to remedy the foul condition of the water front,
due to the discharge of. all sewers for years into
the old basin, producing a condition at once dis-
graceful and dangerous. Plans for the work were
prepared by Dr. Rudolph Herring, a noted sani-
tary expert of New York city. As a result,
Albany now no longer pollutes the Hudson river
Albany Guide Book 121
with its filth and in time all the cities and vil-
lages along the banks of the great river will be
compelled to adopt some similar means for the
disposal of their sewage and the river again will
become clean, habitable for tish and useful for
drinking purposes.
Note. — The first sewage system for Albany was
inaugurated in 1854 under City Engineer Reuben H.
Bingham.
JAIL
The jail now occupies what formerly was the
Albany County Penitentiary on Delaware avenue
south of ^ladison avenue. The city's first jail
was located in or near the original court house at
Broadway and Hudson avenue. It was removed
to State street about where \^an Vechten Hall
i.'ow is. On July 30, 1810, the cornerstone of a
building for jail purposes was laid at Eagle and
Howard streets and it continued there until 1853
when the Albany hospital took the property.
The prisoners had been removed on June 2 of that
year to a building on Maiden lane just below the
City Hall. On September 1, 1904, the Maiden
Lane jail was abandoned and the prisoners trans-
ferred to the old Penitentiary (p. 138), after
which the Maiden Lane jail was razed.
122 Albany Guide Book
KENWOOD
A pretty suburb at the. terminus of the South
Pearl street car line bears this name. It is the
site of the Sacred Heart convent (p. 64) and is on
the road to '' The Abbey " (p- 26).
LABORATORY (THE BENDER)
This institution which is highly interesting
from a scientific standpoint, was given to the city
by Matthew Bender. It is located on Lake ave-
nue and is devoted to bacteriological work,
LAW SCHOOL
The law department of Union University is
located on State street, just above Swan street
in an unpretentious brick building from which
some of the most noted lawyers in the country
have graduated. It was organized on April 21,
1851. '
LEGISLATURE
The law-making body of the State holds its ses-
sions in the Capitol during the winter months,
after January 1, daily on Tuesday to Friday be-
tween the hours of 11 a. m. and 2 p. m., with
night sessions every Monday beginning at 8 :30
o'clock. Open to visitors.
Note. — The first session of the Legislature was held
in the original City Hall at the northeast corner of
Albany Guide Book 123
Broadway and Hudson avenue on January 27, 1780.
It expected to meet on January 4 but was prevented
by a heavy snowstorm. In 1797 Albany became the
permanent seat of State government as the capital. In
1809 the Legislature granted reporters permission to
attend the sessions and the old Gazette first published
the proceedings of the session at that time.
LIBRARIES
Besides the State Library (p. 165) there are
eight others supplying the people with facilities
for reading and study. These circulate about
300,000 volumes yearly, and are as follows :
Albany Free Library, South Pearl street branch at
324 South Pearl street. Pine Hills branch at 272
Ontario street.
Catholic Union Free Library — Located 80 Eagle
street.
High School Library — Located in High School
('p. 93).
Pruyn Library — Memorial to J. V. L. Pruyn located
at southeast corner North Pearl street and Clinton
avenue in a handsome building erected on the site of
his birthplace, April 8. 1901; accepted by the Y. M. A.
(p. 202) as a branch on March 25, that year.
Young Men's Association Library — Located in
Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
124 Albany Guide Book
There also are good libraries in connection with
the Y. M. C. A. at North Pearl and Steuben
streets (p. 203) and the R. R. Y. M. C. A. at West
Albany (p. 203).
Note. — In 1759 the Albany Library Society was
organized and maintained a library. In 1791 on Decem-
ber 20 the Albany Library Association was formed by
citizens who subscribed $25 each. It was incorporated
on February 24, 1792; its first librarian was James Van
Ingen.
The Legislature has a library of its own in the
Capitol back of the Assembly chamber. It was
organized May 7, 1915, and is thoroughly
equipped for ready reference work and adapted
specially to meet the requirements of the law-
makers. The leading newspapers and periodicals
are on file during the session. The walls of the
library are beautified by a notable series of deco-
rative panels painted by Will H. Low.
LUMBER DISTRICT
Albany is probably the oldest, as it once w^as
the largest lumber market in the United States.
The business was transacted mainly in the dis-
trict extending north from North Ferry street and
reached an enormous total. Considerable busi-
ness is yet done in the district.
MASONIC TEMPLE
Albany Guide Book 125
MAPLE BEACH
A summer resort four miles above the city,
formerly known as *' Lagoon Island," now bears
this name. Take a Troy boat. Open all day and
part of the night and has many of the so-called
** Coney Island '' attractions.
MARKET
An asphalted space bounded by Hudson ave-
nue. Grand and Beaver streets is known as the
Public Market. It contains 7,461 square yards
and was opened in 1889. Agitation for more space
and for a modern covered market is under way.
Note. — The original market place in 1791 was
located in the center of Broadway between State street
and Maiden lane. In 1829 the city located public
markets on South Pearl street between Howard and
Beaver streets, and on Steamboat square. For years
State street was used for market purposes from Broad-
way up and there the farmers, butchers, hucksters and
truckmen ranged their wagons on either side in long
rows. Agitation to clear the street was begun in 1886
and resulted in the present market site, long since out-
grown.
MASONIC TEMPLE
Eight lodges, two Chapters and nine other
Masonic bodies besides the Shrine and Grotto
occupy the substantial granite building at Lodge
126 Albany Guide Book
street and Maiden lane which is entirely devoted
to the craft. The Temple occupies historic
ground as is indicated by bronze tablets in the
vestibule which bear the following inscriptions :
On this site, purchased Oct. 17, 1776, by Brother
Samuel Stringer, the first lodge house owned by a
Masonic lodge in America was erected in 1776 and
remained the property of Masters Lodge, No. 5, until
presented to the Masonic hall association in 1895.
1776-1896. Masonic Temple. Erected by the fra-
ternity of Albany. Corner stone laid June 24, 1895.
Dedicated October 26, 1896.
Note, — The first lodge of Free Masons to meet in
Albany was composed of officers of the Second Bat-
talion Royal, then quartered in the city. They held a
warrant from the Grand Lodge of Ireland dated Octo-
ber 26. 1737. and the local lodge was No. 74, registry of
Ireland. In 1759 the Battalion was ordered to another
post and citizens who had been initiated were author-
ized to continue the meetings which for a long time
afterward were held a the homes of the brethren. The
first lodge constituted was Union, on February 21, 1765,
under authority of the Provincial Grand Master. It
afterward became Mount Vernon No. 3. Masters Lodge
was organized in 1768; Temple Lodge No. 14 in 1796;
Washington No. 85 in 1841: Ancient City No. 452 in
1852; Wadsworth No. 417 in 1856; Guttenberg No. IZl
in 1873; James Ten Eyck No. 831 in 1901. No records
exist between 1768 and 1798 but the Craft notices
called meetings " at the usual place." From 1798 to
1811 the fraternity met at 486 South Market street
Albany Guidk Book 127
(now Broadway). Thereafter meetings were held at
various places including 41 and 43 North Pearl street
in 1859 and after March 1, 1875. in the Albany Sav-
ings Bank building at State and Chapel streets. This
was the local Temple up to May 1, 1896. Ground for
the present Temple was broken by M. W. James Ten
Eyck on May 1, 1895; cornerstone laid June 24 that
year; Temple dedicated October 26, 1896. The growth
of the Craft has now made additional room necessary.
The Temple is open to visitors from 10 a. m. to 4
p. m. daily, except Sundays and holidays, and every
evening to the Craft. The Temple contains valuable
libraries and collections peculiar to the order.
MEDICAL COLLEGE
The medical department of Union University
is located on Eagle street between Jay and Lan-
caster streets, occupying the old Lancaster school
building erected in 1816. The college was organ-
ized in 1838 and incorporated in 1839 in which
year its first class was graduated. In 1873 by the
incorporation of Union University the Albany
Medical school w^as made a constituent part of
the University wdiich is located in Schenectady ;
present building bought in 1877. The college was
completely reorganized in 1915 with assurances
of largely increased hospital facilities with teach-
ing services both in medicine and surgery. The
laboratory staff was increased and the courses
128 Albany Guide Book
rearranged to conform to improved modern
methods. Site for a new and thoroughly modern
building has been secured on New Scotland ave-
nue between the Albany hospital and the Dudley
observatory and near the Bender laboratory.
The grant of land on the old penitentiary (p. 138)
grounds made by the city was exchanged for the
new site under a law signed March, 1916, by Gov-
ernor Charles S. Whitman.
Note. — The old Medical College museum was consid-
ered one of the best in the country. It contained many
rare specimens collected by Drs. March, Armsby, Mac-
Naughton, Haskins, Vander Veer and others and was
especially rich in embryology, hipjoint disease, skulls
and brain casts, skeletons, manikins and models. One
interesting subject was the mummified body of Calvin
Edson, the famous " living skeleton," who died aged
45 years in 1833, and weighed but 45 pounds.
MENANDS
A pretty suburb of Albany, about three miles
north of the city, bears this name which commem-
orates that of its founder, Louis Menand, who
was a noted horticulturist. Take a Troy car.
MERIDIAN
Formerly the true astronomical meridian of
Albany was indicated by a broad strip of brass
Albany Guide Book 129
set in white marble running diagonally across the
sidewalk at Eagle street and Maiden lane at the
City Hall corner. A bronze tablet set in the wall
of the building tells about it. The effect of rain
(^r snow on the strip proved, however, that others
than the wicked may stand in slippery places and
the danger was removed. Small arrows now
point out true north and south.
MUSEUMS
The State Museum of Natural History (p. 166)
in the Education building, the Museum of ]\lili-
tary Trophies and Curios on the second floor of
the Capitol, the remarkable collections of the His-
torical Society and the valuable collections of the
Medical College offer attractions according to the
inclinations of the visitor.
Note. — The Trust Company building at the corner
of Broadway and State street occupies the site of what
once was called the '' Museum Corner " because of a
noted place of amusement which stood there from 1831
to 1855. Afterward the Western Union Telegraph
Company was located there and in the basement was
a famous old restaurant called the "'Marble Pillar."
The Western Union left the site in 1902 when it was
torn down to make a place for the Trust Company
building.
130 Albany Guide Book
MEMORANDA
Albany Guide Book 131
NEWSPAPERS
There has been no lack of newspapers in All^any
since the first (The Albany Gazette) was issued
in 1771 by Alexander and James Robertson. The
leading;- newspapers now are
Evening Journal — Republican, office on State street
just below James; soon to bave magnificent new build-
ing on tbe Plaza adjoining tbe D. & H. building.
Times-Union, evening — independent Democrat; con-
solidated 1891; occupies building corner Green and
Beaver street; established 1803.
Argus, morning — Democrat; office at Broadway and
Beaver street; established in 1803.
Knickerbocker-Press, morning — independent Repub-
lican; office on Beaver street just above Broadway.
There is an evening (ierman paper (P>eie
Blaetter) and an Italian paper also is published
daily.
NORMAL COLLEGE
This State institution for higher education
occupies a commodious structure adjoining the
new million dollar High school in the big park-
like plat bounded by Western, Lake and Wash-
ington avenues and Robin street. The college
formerly occupied a handsome building fronting
the park on Willett street. It is the oldest insti-
tution of its kind in the State and was established
132 Albany Guide Book
by the Legislature in 1844; opened December 16
that year in old railroad depot building at 119
State street ; in 1849 moved into the building now
occupied by the Christian Brothers Academy on
Lodge street back of the old Geological hall. In
1885 it removed to the Willett street building
which was destroyed by fire in 1906, January 8.
OBSERVATORY
A modern building for astronomical purposes,
called the Dudley observatory is located on Lake
avenue, west of the city proper. Its name com-
memorates a distinguished mayor of the city
whose wife contributed largely to the construc-
tion of the original building which was located
on " observatory hill " in North Albany. The
original site was given by General Stephen Van
Rensselaer. This location was exposed in after
years to the jar of the passing trains and was
abandoned for the present location. The observ-
atory was organized in 1850; incorporated in
1852 ; opened by the American Academy of
Science in 1856; the old building burned May 16,
1904; new observatory occupied in 1893. The
observatory contains the Olcott meridian circle
(one of the finest and best known in the world),
the Pruyn equatorial telescope (a twelve-inch
Albany Guide Book 133
glass equipped for photographic work), several
smaller telescopes, a Scheutz calculating engine
(one of the only two ever made), and clocks,
chronographs, etc. The entire equipment is
thoroughly modern and adapted to the require-
ments of modern research. An adequate endow-
ment sustains the institution which has won
renown for its research and other work. Open
daily except Sunday ; Tuesday evenings only on
application to Professor Boss, the director.
ODD FELLOWS
This popular and powerful order had a hand-
some temple on Lodge street at Howard street
which was burned down January 27, 1916. It will
be rebuilt but only occupied by part of the fra-
ternity, four lodges having bought property at
No. 13 Elk street (the old Pruyn mansion).
Cornerstone of old temple laid July 18, 1894.
PARKS
No city of its size has more attractive parks
than has Alban}^ and the visitor will find them
easy of access. The most popular and the largest
is Washington park, containing 90 acres, created
by law in 1869 from the old Washington parade
ground and the old State street burial grounds.
134 Albany Guide Book
It was opened in part in July, 1871, and wholly in
June, 1872. The park contains about three miles
of beautiful drives, six miles of shady walks and
has a pretty lake covering about six acres.
Special features are the noble old elms, admirable
landscape effects, handsome shrubbery and beau-
tiful flowers in season, rustic shelters, an attrac-
tive lake house], the King- fountain representing
" Moses Smiting the Rock " (presented by Henry
L. King as a memorial to his brother, Rufus H.
King; unveiled September 29, 1893; J. Massey
v.R.hind, sculptor))^he Burns monument (the gift
"*^f the McPherson estate, unveiled August 30,
v4888, Charles Calverly, sculptorU a statue of
Ceres, the Dr. James H. Armsby memorial bust
(unveiled November 25, 1879), the Soldiers and
jailors' monument (p. 162), and several others.
Attention also is directed to
Academy Park. — Tn front of the famous Albany
academy, 2.1 acres. In 1820 citizens proposed the im-
provement of Academy park, then known as "The
Commons," and in 1831 the Common Council author-
ized the improvement, citizens subscribing $3,200 to-
ward the expense. On February 22, 1864, the famous
Army Relief Bazaar was opened there, closing March
10, with receipts of $111,493.49 and expenses of
$29,584.99.
Albany Guide Book 135
Beverwyck Park. — About 4 acres of open space now
used as a ball ground, but one day to be a real park;
bounded by Washington avenue, Ontario and Partridge
streets.
Bleecker Park. — About three acres in front of the
Catholic cathedral; contains the first public fountain
erected in the city, the gift of William Fleming, dedi-
cated 1863.
Capitol Park. — About 100,000 square feet in front of
the Capitol; contains the Sheridan statue and beauti-
fully kept lawns. Col. John Mills, who fell at the battle
of Sacketts Harbor, was buried in the center of this
park in 1844, but was removed to the Rural' cemetery
May 30, 1883.
Clinton Square. — A breathing place containing about
three acres between Clinton avenue, North Pearl and
Orange streets.
Colonic Park. — About seven acres known as the
Pleasant Street Playgrounds, located between Broad-
way, North Pearl and Pleasant streets.
Dana Park. — Two acres in front of School 24 at
Madison and Delaware avenues and Lark street; con-
tains the Dana fountain erected by the Dana society.
Dudley Park. — Some 40 acres between Manning
boulevard and N. Y. Central avenue, popular as a play-
ground.
Hudson Park. — About 10,000 square feet of breath-
ing space between Hudson avenue, Liberty and Dallius
streets.
136 Albany Guide Book
Lincoln Park. — Formerly known as Beaver Park, but
name changed in 1916; take Delaware avenue car. As
far as improved, contains an athletic field, quarter-mile
running track, swimming and wading pools, baseball
fields, tennis courts, coasting hill, children's playground
and suitable shelters and conveniences for the people.
This park, which originally was the first open-air pub-
lic playground for children, was secured as such by
the Albany Mothers' Club and contains in its western
section the spacious building once occupied by Dr.
James Hall, the famous State geologist. It has been
remodeled to better accommodate the great work which
the Mothers' Club is conducting here. The improved
park will be the out-of-door recreation center of the
city. Contains 78 acres; was created by law in 1892;
work began May 1, 1894; Jacob Leonard gave 19 acres
for it May 30 that year.
Observatory Park. — The 24 acres around the obser-
vatory bounded by New Scotland. Lake and Myrtle
avenues.
Plaza Park. — The attractive open space between
State street and Broadway and the D. &. H. building.
Riverside Park. — A raised breathing place fronting
the river and containing something over one acre be-
tween Broadway, Herkimer and Westerlo streets. Very
popular in the section as playground for foreign
children.
St. Joseph's Park. — Nearly three and one-half acres
adjoining St. Joseph's church between First and Sec-
ond and Ten Broeck streets. A pretty terrace.
Albany Guide Book 137
Sheridan Park. — Familiarly known originally as
" Prospect " and " Landslide park," some three acres
yet to be developed, but having great possibilities, lies
between Elk, Spruce. Swan and Dove streets. Name
suggested by Lew Benedict Post. G. A. R.
Sunken Gardens. — Nearly nine acres yet to be devel-
oped as the name indicates, lies between Main avenue,
Ontario, Lancaster and Chestnut streets.
Swinburne Park. — Commemorates Albany's greatest
surgeon and is a popular plat of over nine acres located
between Manning boulevard, Clinton avenue and Sec-
ond street. Formerly part of the old reservoir prop-
erty; a popular playground.
Tivoli Lakes Park. — Comprises about 51 acres
around the lakes and is rapidly developing.
Townsend Park. — A triangular four acres between
Washington avenue. Central avenue and the Northern
boulevard. Original intention was to place a monument
to Washington there, but project was abandoned and
name changed to commemorate one of the popular
mayors. Improved in 1916.
Van Rensselaer Park. — About one and three-tenths
acres between Ten Broeck and Second streets and Hall
place.
On March 5. 1917, the common council appropriated
$30,000 for another park, to be located on Walter street.
North Albany.
Note. — City planners in 1916 said: "When Beaver,
Sheridan, Swinburne and Riverside parks are com-
138 Albany Guide Book
pleted, Albany will have a most beautiful and unusual
chain of parks. Dudley park is at the beginning of the
Manning boulevard, which running by the Tivoli
lakes to Swinburne park, makes a circuit of the west-
erly portion of the city and ends now at Western ave-
nue. This should be extended through Hawkins ave-
nue to New Scotland avenue and eventually to Dela-
ware avenue to connect with the Southern boulevard,
making a parkway connecting with Washington park
and Beaver park, and from Beaver park one can go
through Warren and Arch streets to Broadway. It
will thus be seen that this circumferential drive, be-
ginning on North Pearl street at Van Woert street,
connects five parks and ends on South Broadway."
Other very desirable park improvements in the region
south of Delaware avenue and in that around Rensse-
laer lake where over 1,000 acres could be utilized, have
been sketched out by the same authorities.
PENITENTIARY
The striking structure and grounds on Dela-
ware avenue, south of Madison avenue, once was
the noted Albany penitentiary. It was opened in
1846 under Amos Pilsbury as superintendent and
for years held the record as a successful institu-
tion of the kind. On September 1, 1904, it became
the Albany county jail. Take Delaw^are avenue
car.
Albany Guide Book 139
PERFORATED PAPER INDUSTRY
One of the distinctive Albany business enter-
prises which has grown from a small beginning
in the city to be of world-wide importance is that
conducted in the big plant at 1271-1293 Broadway
by the A. P. W. Paper Co., as it is known to the
trade. As the result of the genius of one man
who invented and perfected the wonderful
machinery used the plant is well worth the atten-
tion it attracts. The company was incorporated
in 1877 by ^Ir. Seth AMieeler and from a small
l)eginning now has grown to a product of
2,000,000 pounds of perforated paper monthly.
The new factories into which the firm has just
moved occupy a space fronting 200 feet on Broad-
way, extending back 300 feet tow^ard the river
and containing nearly three acres of floor space.
The buildings which are tw^o stories high are
built of steel, concrete and brick and so well
lighted that the sanitary inspectors declare there
are " no dark corners " in them Two big 100
horse power boilers furnish heat for the plant
and two giant fans driven by powerful electric
motors deliver 42,000 cubic feet of fresh air every
minute, which after being properly warmed is
forced to all parts of the buildings.
Tissue and towel papers are made specially for
140 Albany Guide Book
use in the cabinets and fixtures which experts
manufacture in the new plant. Wrapping paper
is no longer made. Practically everything is done
by the wonderfully ingenious machinery used in
the factories where, nevertheless, over 300 hands
are employed in a business which requires some
portions of the plant at least to be run night and
day.
Visitors to the A. P. W. Paper company see
on the first floor the great storage rooms and the
work of making toilet paper fixtures and the
many necessary packing cases. On the second
floor is located the machinery proper where
upward of 100 ingenious devices perforate, slit,
fold and print the paper which is delivered by
automatic conveyers wherever it is wanted.
Everywhere there are automatic signals commu-
nicating with a central switchboard in the execu-
tive department through which any employee can
be summoned speedily at any time or instructions
conveyed. Should an accident ever happen, it is
provided for in advance by a fully equipped
" emergency " room where injuries or illness can
receive skilled first-aid treatment " till the
doctor comes." There are also commodious coat,
wash and dressing rooms for the army of
employees.
Albany Guide Book 141
Machinery practically does all the work of the
plant for which skilled labor is not necessary.
The thousands of boxes required are made, the
prepared paper is packed in them and the pack-
ages are weighed and stamped automatically and
the whole finally delivered to the shipping depart-
ment mechanically. Paper after being perforated
or cut to the exact size is either wound on spools
or interfolded by ingenious devices in 1,000 sheet
packages for the famous " Onliwon " cabinets or
is pinned together by wire which is looped to
hang up readily. Machinery also makes the
handsome cabinets for the toilet paper or the san-
itary towels, and skilled mechanics are at work in
convenient rooms daily perfecting new devices
for the benefit of the public.
Another feature of the plant is the preparation
of all the printed matter furnished in connection
w^ith the product of the machines, and there is
also issued as a feature a bright little publication
called the '' A. P. W. News " which is devoted to
disseminating information about the company's
business in all its branches. The A. P. W. Paper
company's products are demanded by every hotel,
restaurant, home and office, railroad train and
steamboat in the world and are sold through
branch offices covering the civilized globe. Auxil-
142 Albany Guide Book
iary factories are operated in England, France,
Germany and Switzerland to keep up with the
growing demand. But Albany boasts of being
the home of the great business and points to it as
one of its most distinctive industries. The Broad-
way cars form an easy means of visiting the
plant.
PIER, THE RECREATION
For an extended description of this part of the
water front improvement see under heading
Recreation Pier.
PHOTOGRAPHS
The galleries of Albany have taken prizes in
the contests of the w^orld and there are many
places where visitors can secure the services of
real experts in photography. The best known
galleries are located on Broadway and North
Pearl street. Cameras and supplies and the use
of darkrooms can be had at stores on Maiden
lane, North Pearl street and Broadway.
PLAYGROUNDS
A notable series of public playgrounds exists
in Albany, secured and fostered 1)y the Mothers
club (p. 63). The first summer playground for
children was established in Beaver (now Lin-
Albany Guide Book 143
coin) park where it opened on July 16, 1900, with
over 1,000 children in attendance under the care
of Miss Blanche Tozier of Boston. The growth
of the movement was great and there now are
ti\e well equipped and very popular public play-
grounds 1»esides many attached to schools having
adequate grounds for them. The public play-
grounds are as follows :
Beaver Park (Lincoln Park). — Located at Delaware
avenue between Park avenue and Morton street;
opened July 18. 1900; known as the " Central Play-
ground "; average daily attendance, 400 to 1,000.
Dudley Park, the North End Playground. — Located
on the old Observatory hill in North Albany; opened
June 26, 1904; average daily attendance, 200.
Riverside Park, the South End Playground. — Located
on Broadway between Herkimer and Westerlo streets;
opened June 29, 1908; average daily attendance, 200.
Sage Playground. — A spacious and well-equipped
tract presented to the children of Albany by Senator
Henry M. Sage in 1916. Its notable features are the
shelter and the wading pool and a two-storied shelter
house with adequate equipment.
Swinburne Park, the West End Playground. — Lo-
cated on Manning boulevard between Clinton avenue
and Second street; opened June 28, 1908; average daily
attendance about 250.
144 Albany Guide Book
PLAZA
The great open space situated east of Broad-
way and lying between State street and Steam-
boat square was created as part of the water
front improvement by razing a large number of
old l^uildings chiefly used for business purposes.
The Plaza is 350 feet wide by 580 feet long and
provides a thoroughfare 100 feet wide inclosing
a small park, 320 feet long by 60 feet wide, beau-
tified by trees and plants. The street contains a
20-foot roadway and the park has paths 20 feet
wide with a central circle 75 feet in diameter for
a fountain or suitable monument (possibly of Ful-
ton who invented and brought the first steamboat
to Albany). There also are grass plats and trees.
The main advantage ofifered by the Plaza is to
furnish a handsome breathing place to people
waiting for the trolley cars which have run loops
around it and carry passengers all over the city
and 37 miles south to Hudson, 72 miles north to
Warrensburg and 50 miles west to Gloversville.
The great, ornate edifice which serves as a
screen to hide the Hudson river and the costly
Recreation pier from view is the administration
building of the Delaware & Hudson railroad and
cost $700,000. Adjoining it on the south is the
new home of the Evening Journal. A subway
Albany Guide Book 145
here furnishes safe access to Quay street and the
artistic concrete brido^e leading to the Recreation
pier and the handsome home of the Albany Yacht
club.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Headquarters of the excellent force that guards
the city were for years located in the City build-
ing at South Pearl and Howard streets. New
quarters are to be located in the new Municipal
building (p. S7) at Eagle and Howard streets. The
present force comprises a chief, 8 captains, 5 lieu-
tenants, 22 sergeants, 5 detectives, 4 court offi-
cers, 133 patrolmen, 3 patrol wagon drivers, 1
stableman, 1 surgeon and 1 matron. The
Department is practically a battalion of five com-
panies, each assigned to a section of the city: the
First to the South end; the Second to the Busi-
ness section; the Third to the North end; the
Fourth to the central and residential section and
the Fifth to the West end of the city. Washing-
ton park is covered by a sub-station. There are
10 mounted men in charge of the captain of the
Traffic precinct.
Note. — In 1669 there were two men who patroled
the city from 10 p. m. to dawn. In 1686 the force con-
sisted of a High Constable and three deputies. In
1793 the Common Council established a night watch
10
146 Albany Guide Book
of 24 young men drawn by lot to serve from 8 p. m.
to daybreak. In 1851 a regular police force was es-
tablished by law (first chief was William Morgan) and
the city was divided into 4 precincts. In 1893 a patrol
wagon was placed in service. The present efficient
department followed and was reorganized in 1900 un-
der the Second Class City charter law as part of the
Department of Public Safety. The first Commissioner
was Frederick C. Ham.
POST OFFICE
An imposing granite building on Broadway at
the foot of vState street houses the Post Office
and several other Federal departments. The
Post Office dates back to 1783 but tradition says
there was one in Albany in 1775. The site was
authorized by Congress in 1872 and occupies the
grounds formerly containing the old Exchange
building and the Mechanics & Farmers bank
(removed in 1875) ; cornerstone laid in 1879; Post
Office opened for business January 1, 1884; build-
ing 113 feet on Broadway by 150 on State street
cost $530,000. It is the third largest Post Office
in the United States. The building also contains
the Internal Revenue office, the U. S. Court, the
Weather Bureau and a number of other Federal
offices.
Note. — In Revolutionary days letters were carried by
post riders paid by residents along the roads. In 1786
Albany Guide Book 147
there were two weekly mails l)etween Albany and New
York and Albany and Springfield. The postoffice was
established in 1784 on the east side of Broadway, north
of Maiden lane. In 1800 William B. Winne became
the first local letter carrier and served 48 years. (Be-
fore that, in 1795, there was a "penny post" system
and the carrier collected one cent from each person
receiving a letter). In 1812 the post office was in a
diug store at Broadway and State street kept by Jacob
Mancius. In 1813 the post office was removed to the
Exchange building on the site of which part of the
present building now stands. In 1873 the post office
was located on the east side of North Pearl street,
south of Columbia street.
POWER HOUSE
Two tall yellow brick chimneys risiiii^- from the
ravine occupied by Sheridan avenue (once Canal
street) mark the site of the big State Power
Mouse which cost $400,000 and furnishes the
Capitol and Education building with heat, light
and power. It was opened in December, 1912;
contains 8 boilers of 300 H. P. each ; 4 engines of
310, 465 and two of 600 H. P. respectively; 4
dynamos of 200, 300 and 400 kilowatts respec-
tively with room for additions as required. There
also is a water pressure SA'stem (150 pounds to
the square foot) to furnish means for lighting fire
in the big buildings.
148 Albany Guide Book
MEMORANDA
Albany Guide Book 149
RAILROADS
Albany is an important railroad center and is
known commercially as the '' Albany Gateway "
because so much of the general traffic east and
A^est passes through the city. An average of
196 passenger and 103 freight trains pass through
daily. The steam railroads centering in Albany
are the New York Central, Delaware & Hudson,
Boston & Albany, West Shore, Boston & Maine,
and Rutland. The vast resources of the New
York Central are too well known to need ex-
planation. The Delaware & Hudson is the great
artery of summer travel to the Adirondacks,
Saratoga, Lake George, Lake Champlain and
Montreal, while its southern connections reach
such well-known places as Cooperstown, and it
penetrates Pennsylvania to Carbondale. Both
the New York Central and the Delaw^are &: Hud-
son railroads maintain great construction and
repair plants in connection with their work.
The shops of the Central are located at West
Albany where they cover a vast area and give
employment to thousands of men. The Dela-
ware & Hudson, at Colonie, has one of the larg-
est railroad plants in the w^orld, extending from
the west side of W^atervliet to the tracks of the
150 Albany Guide Book
road. It was opened in 1912 and cost over
$3,000,000. This is the main plant of the entire
system and is equipped with electric power, has
its own foundry and produces its rails from its
own ores. A great terminal freight house on
Dean street, between Maiden lane and State
street, handles daily about 400 tons, while
another great terminal at Van Rensselaer island
provides for the interchange of rail and water
traffic. Here a giant trestle handles thousands
of tons of coal, iron and supplies from the great
mills and mines of northern New York.
Electric roads which take you almost any-
where at almost any time start from the Plaza
(p. 144). Besides the city service interurban lines
run fifty miles west, thirty-seven miles south
and seventy-two miles north. The United Trac-
tion Company runs all over the city and to Troy,
Watervliet and Cohoes, with connections over
the Hudson Valley Railway to Mechanicville,
Round Lake, Ballston, Saratoga, Stillwater,
Schuylerville, Greenwich, Fort Edward, Hudson
Falls, Glens Falls, Lake George and Warrens-
burg. The Schenectady Railway, which runs cars
every half hour between that city and Albany,
connects at Schenectady with the Fonda, Johns-
town and Gloversville road. The Albany South-
Albany Guide Book 151
ern Railway runs to Hudson and intermediate
points.
Note. — In 1826 the Legislature considered a bill
creating the Mohawk & Albany railroad (between Al-
bany and Schenectady), which was capitalized at $300,-
000 and was to be built in six years. The first train was
run on September 24, 1831, from Schenectady to Albany,
the terminal being at Madison and Western avenues;
on May 24, 1832. the trains ran to Gansevoort street.
The locomotive De Witt Clinton was put in commis-
sion in 1831 on July 27 for the first passenger railroad
in America, although the grand opening was not until
September. The cars were drawn by horses from the
first depot which stood on State street near Eagle about
where now is the Beauman dancing academy, to the
junction of the two avenues, where the engine was
attached. This road afterward was called the Schenec-
tady and Hudson. On October 1, 1851, the first train
vv'as run from New York to Albany and on its arrival
there was a big celebration.
RIFLE RANGE
A permanent, well-equipped range is located at
Rensselaerwyck, reached b}^ belt line trains from
the depot (p. 68). It is almost daily patronized
by the expert marksmen of the vicinity during
the summer months and is the practice range of
the National Guardsmen.
152 Albany Guide Book
RESERVOIRS
Albany is now supplied with water from two
distribution systems into which it is pumped at
the Quackenbush street station. When the quan-
tity of water pumped exceeds that consumed the
surplus goes to the reservoirs — Prospect on the
high service and Bleecker on the low service —
and when the consumption exceeds the pumpage
the deficiency is drawn from the reservoirs. In
case of a shortage of filtered water, Bleecker
reservoir may be supplied by gravity through an
egg-shaped conduit (4 ft. by 3'ft. in size and four
miles long) from Rensselaer lake. The Tivoli
system of reservoirs comprising the Sand Creek
and Russell road reservoirs are now used for
supplying the West Albany shops, with the
Tivoli reservoir held in reserve for supplying the
lower portion of the city in case of emergency.
The Maezlandtkill reservoir (built in 1800,
capacity 225,000 gallons) is no longer in use.
The city requires (1916) about 21,559 gallons
daily. The hydrant pressure for fire purposes
is from 25 to 95 pounds per square inch.
The following data relative to the city reservoirs was
furnished by Wallace Greenalch, Commissioner of Pub-
lic Works: Bleecker (Clinton avenue and Ontario
street) built 1852, repaired 1898; capacity, 32,000,000
Albany Guide Book 153
gallons; depth, 15 feet; elevation above river, 242 feet.
Prospect (N. Y. Central avenue) built, 1876; capacity,
7,300.000 gallons; depth, 16 feet; elevation above river,
297.5 feet. Rensselaer Lake (old Six mile waterworks),
built 1852; capacity, 122.000,000 gallons; elevation above
river. 262 feet. "Russell Road, built, 1888; capacity, 28,-
000,000 gallons; elevation above river, 195 feet. Sand
Creek, built 1888; capacity, 16.000.000 gallons; elevation
above river, 213 feet. Tivoli, built 1888; capacity, 19,-
000,000 gallons; depth, 28 feet; elevation above river,
176.8 feet.
Note. — The old city reservoir was a massive granite
structure of Egyptian architecture and stood where the
new county court house now is. It was replaced by
the original High School, which gave place to the
court house in 1916. The Albany Waterworks Com-
pany was incorporated in 1802; reservoir built in 1811;
water conducted through bored logs from the " kill "
to the site; removed in 1875 to make place for the
school.
RECREATION PIER
A spacious and solid concrete structure on the
river front opposite the foot of State street
replaced the old pier, long used for business pur-
poses, as part of the general improvement of that
section. On it is situated the handsome home
of the Albany Yacht Club, there is a shelter at
each end and a comfort station is located at the
north end and a music pavilion at the south end.
154 Albany Guide Book
The principal access to the pier is across an .
ornamental arched concrete bridge from Quay
street.
RESTAURANTS
The number of eating houses in Albany has
increased rapidly during the past ten years.
Every section is now supplied at prices to suit
every purse. Most of them are open day and
night, the largest being Keeler's, at Broadway
and Maiden lane, which is a general favorite
with travelers.
RIVER FRONT
Most of the Albany river front now is of con-
crete and contains the necessary modern struc-
tures for handling properly the enormous river
freight and passenger business. This great im-
provement was begun in 1913, during the admin-
istration of Mayor James PJ. McEwan and under
City Engineer Frank Lanagan. Concrete work
alone cost $300,000. In 1915, after nearly two
years' work, the reconstruction of the river front
was practically complete with concrete docks, the
old pier replaced by an attractive recreation place,
the ofifensive old basin filled in and a new one
provided and other modern improvements made.
Most of this great work was paid for by the
Albany Guide Book 155
railroads and steamboat companies benefited,
the city retaining its ownership of the water
front. The Hudson Navigation Company's dock
on Steamboat square is 850 feet long and 40 feet
wide, with adequate steel and concrete structures
for handling its business. These improvements
cost $100,000. The Hudson River Day Line has
469 feet of improved dock, which is beautified
by a steel structure 242 feet long by 33 feet wide,
with a spacious pavilion, 35 by 25 feet, at each
end. The shed is surmounted by an artistic
promenade deck accessible by stairways from the
pavilion. This cost about $90,000. The Central
Hudson Steamboat Company's dock is 200 feet
long and lies between those just mentioned,
^rhesc three river front improvements alone
make a continuous dock more than 1,500 feet
long and were all constructed by the corporations
and deeded to the city in return for the land
formerly under water acquired by the building of
the wall. The city leases the docks to the boat
companies. The Delaware & Hudson and the
New York Central railroads alone are said to
have spent upward of $4,000,000 on their share
of the work. The Albany and Troy Steamboat
Company also has, at the foot of Maiden lane, a
handsome dock with adequate structures for its
156 Albany Guide Book
business. On March 5, 1917, the Common
Council appropriated $130,000 to extend the river
front improvement south to the bridge.
SAFE DEPOSIT
A modern fire-proof and burglar-proof build-
ing for storing valuables stands at Maiden lane
and Lodge street It began business in 1883 ;
present building opened in 1893.
SAINT AGNES SCHOOL
This well-known institution for girls is located
on Elk street above Hawk. It was founded by
Bishop Doane in 1870 and is a part of the Corn-
ing Foundation for Christian work (incorporated
in 1871). The school was formally opened on
Hallowe'en, 1872, and has achieved a high stand-
ing in educational centers.
SCHOOLS
Albany's educational institutions rank among
the best in the country. The public school sys-
tem includes 23 primary schools, 1 vocational, 1
open air, 1 ungraded, 1 teachers' training and
1 high school. There also are 26 private schools
and colleges including denominational, techni-
cal and professional institutions. What the
Albany Guide Book 157
present has and tlie future promises for educa-
tion in Albany may well be judged from this
statement by President Jacob A. Herzog of the
Board of Education :
"The magnilicent million-dollar High School; the
greatly enlarged Schools 16 and 18; the wonderful
School 14, one of the best grammar schools in the
United States; the evening schools, giving practical
instruction to thousands of men and women, boys and
girls; the open-air schools, with their message to the
weak and sickly; the ungraded schools and special
classes, which remove the drag-stone from the ordinary
class-room. and help the slow and plodding one to do
better things; the establishment of health direction with
it^^ physician, dentist and nurses; the physical department
with its director for boys and girls; vocation schools
with their cooking, sewing, carpentry work, printing
and various other industries so necessary in these
times — all of these things and many more lead us to
hope that education in Albany at present is on such a
plane that we compare favgrably with any city of simi-
lar size in the country.
" We see in the future, with the eye of hope and
mayhap, prophecy, a technical school and commercial
high school; separate high schools for boys and girls
where the arts are taught; new schools in the rapidl}--
growing suburban districts; playgrounds at every
school; a solution of the problem of larger classes, and
the constant endeavor for better conditions for teacher
and student."
158 Albany Guide Book
Information concerning the Albany (Boys')
Academy, Brothers Academy, Business College,
College of Pharmacy, Female Academy, High
school, Law school, Medical college. Sacred
Heart academy, St. Agnes school. State Normal
college, Vincentian Institute and others is easily
obtainable and for the most part may be had
under appropriate headings in this volume.
Note. — Colonists in 1650 subscribed to build a school
house; in 1665 John Schutte was licensed by Governor
Nichols to be the first English school teacher; in 1721
the Common Council agreed to give Johannes Glandorf
free house rent to " teach spelling, reading, writing and
ciphering;" in 1793 the common school system was
recommended by the Regents. After the revolution
the people petitioned the Common Council and had
founded an academy, which was held in the Van Der-
heyden palace on North Pearl street near Maiden lane,
and continued nearly 20 years as a seminary under a
teacher brought from Philadelphia. In 1812 the first
free school was built, known as the Lancaster school,
on Eagle street where now is the Medical college.
It was incorporated and opened May 5, 1817, remain-
ing in active usefulness until abandoned with the in-
coming of the public schools. (In 1838 the building
was leased by the Medical college which opened there
in January, 1839.) In 1830 the public school system
was inaugurated and commissioners elected; in 1855
the Board of Education replaced the commissioners;
in 1866 the Board of Public Instruction was created, and
Albany Guide Book 159
in 1869 the Albany Free Academy was founded in
spite of strong opposition, afterward becoming the
Albany High school (p. 93).
SCHUYLER MANSION
This fine old hkstoric residence stands on an
elevation at the head of Schuyler street. It
was erected in 1762 by General Philip Schuyler,
who occupied it until 1804. After various vicis-
situdes the State bought the property in 1911
and the old house was restored under the direc-
tion of State Architect Louis Pilcher, in 1915.
It was formally opened by the D. A. R. in April
of that year and now^ forms a most interesting
memorial of old Albany The place is rich in
historical lore, being frequented during Revolu-
tionary times by prominent military men and
statesmen who enjoyed the famous hospitality
of General Schuyler. The room where the wed-
ding of Miss Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton
occurred particularly interests the tourists. The
mark in the staircase, said to have been made by
the tomahawk of an Indian, who hurled it after
the fleeing inmates during an attack on the
dwelling, also excites much speculation and has
felt the hands of thousands.
160 Albany Guide Book
SEWAGE DISPOSAL PLANT
(See Disposal Plant, page 69.)
SHAKERS
The original Shaker settlement in America,
where Mother Ann Lee of Manchester, England,
who founded the sect in 1774, is buried, is at the
terminus of the Shaker road about 7 miles west
of Albany. Mother Lee died on September 8,
1784. The settlement is a finely kept farm col-
ony, but steadily dying out and in part now used
for other than the original purpose
SHERIDAN STATUE
The handsome equestrian memorial statue of
General Philip Sheridan in the Capitol park at
the foot of the great entrance stairway was ded-
icated on October 7, 1916. Mrs. Sheridan was
present as the city's guest of honor, and many of
General Sheridan's old soldiers attended by
special invitation. Two children, Olive Whit-
man, daughter of the Governor, and Sallie Davis,
granddaughter of Mayor Joseph W. Stevens un-
veiled the monument. The statue grew out of
a suggestion made by Martin H. Glynn when
Governor, who advocated it at a Lincoln dinner
of Sheridan ^amp, S. of V. The city subscribed
SHERIDAN' MEMORIAL
TELEPHONE BUILDING
Albany Guide Book 161
$10,000 and the State gave $20,000. The design
was by J. Q. A. Ward and the statue was com-
pleted by his pupil, Daniel Chester French. The
inscription on the bronze plate set in the base
says : *' Philip Henry Sheridan, General United
States army, born, Albany, N. Y., March 6, 1831 ;
Died, Monquitt, Mass., August 5, 1888.
Erected by the citizens of x\lbany and the State
of Xew York under Chapter 100 of the Laws of
1914." The names of the commission then follow.
/
SHOPPING DISTRICT
^^'omen travelers will find the shopping dis-
trict located on North Pearl street betw^een
State street and Clinton avenue. Clothing, furs
and gent's furnishings may also be found on
Broadway, State street, South Pearl street and
Maiden lane in particular.
Note. — During repairs on August 8, 1905, the J. G.
Myers store collapsed and several of the employees
were killed and many injured.
SLUMS
To Albany's credit it may truthfully be said
that there is nothing of this kind to induce a
visitor to employ a police guide to see safely a
district noted for squalor and misery.
11
_J62 Albany Guide Book
/soldiers and SAILORS' MONUMENT
The beautiful memorial in Washington park
at the Northern boulevard entrance was dedi-
cated by the G. A. R., on October 5, 1912. It
was designed by Harmon Atkins MacNeil and
represents *' The Nation of Peace Won Through
Victorious W^ar." Its cost was $100,000. The
monument is built of Tennessee marble above
the seat and the remainder is of Stony Creek
granite. It is 22 feet high, 21 feet long and 5
feet 6 inches deep, surrounded by a seat, the
whole resting upon a platform 70 feet long by
64 feet deep. The inscription reads :
In commemoration of the men of Albany who gave
their lives to save the Union, and in grateful recognition
of all whose patriotism aided in giving to this nation un-
der God a new birth of freedom, in making love of
country a national virtue and in endowing our land
^vith the blessings of peace and prosperity.^
{ As one enters the park from the boulevard
tnere is seen in front of the main relief a bronze
heroic figure typifying the Nation. She holds in
her arms the palms of victory. The figure, which
is nine feet in height, is that of a strong, reso-
lute but tender and compassionate woman who
has risen from a chair of Roman design. She
bears in her right hand the Sword of War
Albany Guide Book . 163
sheathed. On the panel behind her is the coat
of arms of New York State and on the pedestal
beneath the figure is the coat of arms of the city
of Albany. Cut in the marble, back of the figure,
are shown the soldiers and sailors marching
away to her defense. On the park side of the
memorial is shown a battery in relief, moving to
action. The bas-relief on the west end of the
monument shows Patriotism inspiring a
wounded drummer boy. On the east end is seen
a soldier returning to his wife and child after the
close of the war. The monument contains over
60 life-size figures.
Note. — Albany county's gross expenditure on ac-
count of the Civil War was reported on November 28,
1865, as $4,485,276.45^
SOUVENIRS
A variety of Albany souvenirs may be found
in many places by the traveler. Jewelry stores,
book and stationery stores offer a great variety
of such articles. The cigar stand at the Capitol
also is well stocked wath appropriate souvenirs.
SPORTS
Athletic sports always have been in great fa-
vor in Albany, and the vogue follows the trend
of the times. There are a number of associa-
164 Albany Guide Book
tions of various kinds, ranging from athletic to
yachting. If a visitor is more '' sporty " than
athletic, a quiet talk with his hotel clerk in all
probability will furnish the necessary informa-
tion as to the haunts of Fortune. The city is lib-
eral but orderly.
STATE HOUSE
The imposing old marble edifice on Eagle
street, facing Academy park, is the State House
which was remodeled internally and a western
wing added in 1916 to provide a permanent home
for the Court of Appeals, which occupied it in
part in December of that year. The building
was completed in 1843, but was used in part in
1840. It was renovated and an elevator added
in 1898. Once it was set aside for the State Mu-
seum by the Legislature, but the State officers
occupying it then refused to vacate. The old
building attracted engineers and architects by its
simple and satisfactory construction and the re-
markable stairways, one of which it yet contains.
It was built of stone quaried and prepared by
convict labor at Sing Sing prison and originally
cost $350,000.
Albany Guide Book 165
STATE LIBRARY
The great library of the State, established by
the Legislature in 1818, is housed in the Educa-
tion building. On May 4, 1844, it was placed
under the control of the Regents of the Uni-
versity and in 1854 it was housed in a specially
constructed building facing on State street and
connected with the old Capitol. It grew rap-
idly and in 1883 was removed to the new Capitol
building where it occupied the third and parts of
the fourth and fifth floors. It continued to in-
crease in size and value until it was practically
destroyed by the disastrous fire of March 29,
1911, which wrecked the entire western section
of the Capitol. At that time it was one of the
greatest American state libraries. The loss by
the fire was about 500,000 books, 300,000 manu-
scripts and the costly apparatus of administra-
tion besides many priceless souvenirs and relics,
which had given the New York State library a
rank among the first half dozen in the A\'estern
hemisphere and among the first twenty in the
world. The library now, as ever, is extensively
patronized by students and literary workers and
is fast regaining its former greatness. The man-
uscript collections are declared to be " the most
166 Albany Guide Book
important body of archives in the custody of the
State " to the historian.
The city also contains many very valuable pri-
vate collections (see Addenda, p. 221).
STATE MUSEUM
Very valuable and attractive exhibits are
housed in the Education building, where they
are visited by thousands. Open to the public
daily from 9 a. m. to 4 :30 p m. ; Saturdays to
noon; Sundays 2 to 5 p. m. The Museum was
formally opened December 29, 1916, with an ad-
dress by Theodore Roosevelt, Governor Whit-
man presiding in the chair once 'occupied by
Governor Clinton. The Museum occupies prac-
tically the entire fourth floor of the great build-
ing. On the south side is a vast exhibition hall,
570 feet long by 54 feet wide and 50 feet high
in which are the wonderful collections in geol-
ogy, mineralogy, and paleontology. In a sim-
ilar hall in the east mezzanine are the collections
in archaeology and botany. In the west mezza-
nine are six life-size Indian groups representing
the life of the six nations of the wonderful Iro-
quois federation. The north extension in the
Elk street wing contains another great hall 107
by 132 feet in which are the collections in ento-
mology and zoology.
i
Albany Guide Book 167
According to Dr. John M. Clarke, director of
the Museum, the most interesting- objects to the
casual visitor probably are the Naples tree, the
Cohoes mastodon, the giant scorpions, the relief
map of the State, the salt works and other min-
ing exhibits, the mineral gems, the Indian
groups, the butterfly and moth collections, the
animal and bird exhibits and the restorations of
mushrooms. The Naples tree is a reproduction
of a fossil found at Naples in this State. It
stands in the center of the great hall ; represents
one of the oldest trees known to science and was
the ancestor of the plants which produced the
coal formations. The Cohoes mastodon was dis-
covered in 1866 while excavating the site for the
Harmony mills. The skeleton is one of the
largest in existence as well as the most perfect.
It stands about ten feet high. The giant scor-
pions form a remarkable collection of models of
an extinct species that existed before the fishes
and in some cases attained a length of eleven
feet. The relief map shows the dominant geo-
logical formations of the State. It is 25 by 35
feet and a notable piece of work. The salt works
by models show the two principal methods of
getting out salt. Nearby are shown products of
the thirty various mining industries of the State.
168 Albany Guide Book
The collection of gem minerals shows the appli-
cation of these to jewelry and ornament and
contains chiefly semi-precious varieties and
many that are little known. The Indian groups
and relics are of great value to the student ana
highly interesting to the ordinary observer.
They include implements of all sorts, pipes,
wampum belts (19 historical belts valued at $10,-
000 placed in custody of the State in 1898 by the
Iroquois League), and six life-size groups show-
ing aboriginal activities. These groups are de-
scribed by Arthur C. Parker, the expert of the
division, as follows : '' The figures are life casts
of the best types obtainable. Panoramic paint-
ings of historic spots form the backgrounds and
the group settings represent the Indians in de-
velopment through scenes of hunting, warfare,
council, ceremony, industry and agriculture. The
first group represents a Seneca family clustered
about the dooryard of its hunting lodge, each
individual engaged in an allotted duty. The sec-
ond group shows the advance party of a Mo-
hawk war expedition. In the third group the
Turtle clan chiefs are portrayed discussing some
vital tribal subject within the private bark lodge
of their firekeeper. The fourth group shows the
midwinter purification rite, when evil spirits are
Albany Guide Book 169
driven from all the houses in the Iroquois vil-
lage by grotesquely clad and masked medicine
men. Six typical Iroquois industries are seen in
the fifth group which depicts a company of
Oneidas gathered in a sheltered spot in their
capital village on Nichols pond in Madison
county. The sixth group portrays a harvest
scene in the Genesee valley where Indians are
gathering and braiding corn, shelling beans and
performing other tasks connected v/ith agricul-
ture. In the butterfly and moth collections arc
shown practically every insect known to exist in
the State with many others. The butterfly col-
lection is specially attractive and the models
showing insects at work on plants of various
kinds are very instructive. The cases containing
the animal and bird collections have suspended
over them the skeletons of two whales, one of
which is 63 feet long. About 2,000 specimens of
birds are shown, including some 200 pairs of do-
mestic fowd. Mushrooms are contained in the
botanical exhibit where are shown thirty groups
of edible mushrooms in actual colors with pois-
onous varieties and fungi known to be destruc-
tive. There also are shown some eighty sections
of New York State trees.
Countless other equally attractive and instruc-
170 Albany Guide Book
tive exhibits are contained in the Museum and
will appeal to those interested in special sub-
jects. The proper route to take through the Mu-
seum, according to the officials, is as follows :
Beginning with the Hall of Minerals (west end)
follow the main floor through the halls of geol-
ogy, fossil botany (at the main elevators), fossil
vertebrates, fossil invertebrates to the east end
(Hawk street). Next take in the east mezzanine
to the hall of Indian relics ; returning, take the
west mezzanine to the hall of the Iroquois
groups; finally go through the corridors (fishes)
and the north wing or Zoology hall. There also
is a very large herbarium to be seen on applica-
tion to the State botanist. The entire object of
the Museum is to show the people of the State
the natural resources of New York.
Note. — The Museum was organized in 1836 as a
result of the geological survey of the State. The col-
lections were placed in the old geological hall in 1840,
and the State Agricultural Society also was quartered
there, where it still remains. The museum was created
by law in 1870 and in 1883 a law was passed giving the
old State House on Eagle street for its uses, but
certain State officers refused to abandon it and remove
to the Capitol. Finally the museum was placed in its
present location. It contains the most complete collec-
tion of Paleozoic fossils in the world.
Albany Guide Book 171
STEAMBOATS
As practically the head of river navigation, Al-
bany always has had a series of docks and piers
which the great river front improvement, now
practically completed, has made into a modern
system for the handling of passengers and
freight. The boat lines of most interest to the
travelers are :
Hudson River Day Line. — Leaving from a
spacious wharf east of their office at Broadway
and Division street daily except Sunday at 8 :30
a. m., stopping at the principal points along the
river and reaching New York at 5 :30 p. m.
Hudson Navigation Company Night Line. —
Steamers Berkshire and Morse, leaving Steam-
boat square daily except Sunday at 8 p. m.;
night express 11 p. m. Arrive at New York in
early morning.
Sunday, day service, steamers Trojan and
Rensselaer; leave Albany 10 a. m. ; stop at Kings-
ton and Newburgh ; arrive New York 8 p. m.
Newburgh Line. — Steamer Tremper, leaving
foot of Hamilton street 8 a. m. Monday, Wednes-
day and Friday, stopping at intermediate sta-
tions; arriving at Newburgh 5:30 p. m.
172 Albany Guide Book
Catskill Line. — Steamer Ursula, from foot of
Herkimer street at 3 p. m., daily, for Catskill and
intermediate landings.
Note.— On September 5. 1807, at 11:27 a. m., the
Clermont, the first steamboat on the Hudson river,
landed at the foot of Lydius street (Madison avenue)
having left New York at 6:42 of the previous day.
The boat was 100 feet long, 12 feet wide and carried
24 passengers, who each paid $7.00 for their fare. The
inventor, Robert Fulton, was in charge. The return
trip was made on September 30 with 100 passengers.
In 1880 the name of the boat was changed to the North
River and the hull lengthened to 150 feet and the width
to 18 feet; the tonnage was 165. The second boat to
run was the Car of Neptune in 1809; tonnage 295;
length 175 feet. The third boat was the Hope in 1811;
tonnage 280. In 1811 a small boat called the Trial be-
gan making trips between Albany and Troy twice
daily; in 1812 the steamer Fire Fly was placed on this
route. The Hudson River line was established in 1825.
In 1826 the Day Line boat. The Sun, advertised trips
to New York. In 1834 the Peoples Line (Hudson
Navigation Company) was established as a day line.
In 1845 (April 6) the steamer Swallow was wrecked
on a rock near Athens and 35 passengers drowned.
Albany Guide Book 173
MEMORANDA
174 Albany Guide Book
STREETS
So far as has been discovered, no rule or regu-
lation was followed in laying out the first Al-
bany thoroughfares. The original streets were
State (called Yonkers), Broadway (called
Handlaer) and Pearl. An unfortunate tendency
to substitute something new for the old historic
names has deprived the city of many valuable
indications of its past. Examples are seen in the
change of name from Lydius street to Madison
avenue and of the Bowery to Central avenue in
1867. Colonel William Gorham Rice in a note
on street names furnishes this interesting data:
*' Upon a plan of the city of Albany by Simeon
DeWitt, dated 1794, I find these streets running
about east and west and beginning at the south,
Nucella, Plum, Bassett, Cherry, Schuyler,
Spruce, Rensselaer, Beaver, Ferry, Sturgeon,
Westerlo, Herring, Van Schee, Bass and Ly-
dius." It has been suggested that the names of
fish in this list originally were suggested by
what once was a great industry in the very sec-
tions where the names originally applied.
Bronze tablets at the intersections of the more
notable of the old thoroughfares are intended to
perpetuate similar memories. Some of these
tablets are :
Albany Guide Book 175
On Broadway front government building, near State
street. Inscription: "This is Broadway, formerly in
succession Handelaar (or Traders), Court and
Market streets."
At Washington avenue and Park place. Inscription:
" Washington avenue, formerly King then Lion
street."
At corner Hamilton and South Pearl streets. Inscrip-
tion: "Hamilton street, formerly Kilbey Lane."
At State and Dean streets (on government building).
Inscription: "Dean street, formerly Dock street."
On Old Museum corner. Inscription: '"State street,
formerly Yonkers or Gentlemen's street."
On Mechanics and Farmer's bank. Inscription: "James
street, formerly Middle Lane."
At State and Eagle streets. Inscription: "Eagle street,
formerly Duke street."
On north side government building. Inscription:
" Exchange street, formerly Mark Lane."
On Beaver block. Inscription: "Norton street,
formerly Store street."
At corner Franklin street and Madison avenue. Inscrip-
tion: "Franklin street, formerly Frelinghuysen
street."
At Clinton avenue and North Pearl street. Inscription:
" Clinton avenue, formerly Patroon street. North of
this street was the "Old Colonic!"
On south side Dutch Reformed church. Inscription:
" Monroe street, formerly Van Schaick street."
Note. — The city streets were lighted, guarded and
paved from an early date. In 1771 the city had twenty-
176 Albany Guide Book
one oil street lamps; in 1841 the Albany Gas Light
Company was incorporated and in 1845 supplied illumi-
nating gas to residents on a test; in 1850 the Common
Council adopted gas in place of oil for street lighting;
in 1872 the gas company established its plant on the
Troy road; in July, 1881, the first electric lights were
used on the city streets; in 1916 the electric lights used
numbered 1,295 and cost $111,000. The first pavements
were of cobblestones; the present pavements are of
split granite block on a concrete base with an asphalt
surface.
STREET LOCATIONS
The following " Pathfinder " shows at a glance
the beginning and ending of all city streets thus
far laid out ; of all avenues, boulevards, roads,
turnpikes, drives, lanes and alleys ; also the loca-
tion of all terraces, squares, '' places," etc. Al-
phabetical arrangement makes it easy for any
seeker after information to get it quickly. The
steady growth of the city has caused a large ad-
dition to the number of thoroughfares during
recent years.
STREETS
Adirondack — Stop 4^ Western Ave., South.
Albany — 1098 B'way to Watervliet.
Alexander — 357 South Pearl to 244 Eagle.
Allen, North — 519 Western Ave., to 658 Central Ave.
Allen, South — 1116 Madison Ave., to New Scotland
Ave.
Albany Guide Book 177
• Almon — Kenosha Ave., South.
Anne — O'Connel St., East.
Arch — ^147 Quay to 152 Grand.
Arthur — Manning Boulevard to Lincoln Ave.
Babcock — Zimmerman to Alexander.
Barclay — 295 Delaware Ave., West and North.
Barnet — Parkwood to Erie.
Barrow — 454 Second Ave. to Leedale.
Bassett — 117 Quay to 324 South Pearl.
Beacon — Stop 4^ Western Ave., South.
Beaver — 414 Broadway to 63 Eagle.
Beekman — 424 Delaware Ave. to Second Ave.
Benjamin — 25 First Ave. to 30 Second Ave.
Benson — 135 Quail to Main Ave.
Bertha — 348 Delaware Ave. to McCarty Ave.
Bingham — McCarty Ave., South.
Bleecker — 53 Church to 146 South Pearl.
Boenau — 165 Second Ave., North.
Bonheim — 1298 Broadway, West.
Bouck — 505 South Pearl to 210 Broad.
Bowker — Allen St., South.
Bradford — 117 Lexington Ave. to Partridge; 7 West
Lawrence, North.
Brevator — Washington Ave. to Western Ave.
Bridge — Broadway to Lumber district.
Broad — 124 Arch to Seymour Ave.
Broadway — 1 Gansevoort to north city line.
Browne — McCarty Ave., South.
Buchanan — 282 Manning Blvd. to Bradford.
Caldwell — Pine Ave., So., Westerly.
Carroll — Spencer St., North.
Catherine — 25 Clinton St. to 178 Delaware Ave.
12
178 Albany Guide Book
Center — 15 Livingston Ave. to 12 N. Lansing St.;
Champlain to 1231 Broadway.
Champlain — Erie to North.
Chapel — 22 Clinton Ave. to 87 State.
Charles — 139 Grand to High (continued).
Cherry — 171 Quay to 119 Franklin.
Cherry Hill — First Ave. to McCarty Ave.
Chestnut — 8 South Hawk to 226 Lark.
Church — 286 Broadway to Gansevoort.
Clermont — Quay to Broadway.
Cleveland — Manning Blvd., So., to Lincoln Ave.
Clifford — 98 Troy road, Westerly.
Clinton — 134 Arch to 23 Second Ave.
Colby — 611 Central Ave. to 784 Livingston Ave.
Colonie — 126 Water to Pennsylvania Ave.
Columbia — 73 Pier to Eagle.
Congress — Capitol Place to South Swan.
Corning — From end of Sumpter (W. A.)
Cortland — Partridge to Marion Ave.
Cuyler — 91 Elizabeth over Sloan.
Dallius — 42 Hudson Ave. to 47 Madison Ave.
Daniel — 86 Beaver to 75 Eagle.
Davis — Stop 3. Western Ave., South.
Dean — 14 Maiden Lane to State.
Delaware — 55 Clinton St., West.
Dewitt — 172 Montgomery to 843 Broadway.
Division — 350 Broadway to 82 South Pearl.
Dove — 216 Clinton Ave. to Spruce; Elk to Park Ave.
Continued; 266 Morton Ave. to 207 Second Ave.
Duane — Summit Ave., South.
Eagle — 40 Sheridan Ave to 111 Alexander.
Elizabeth — 17 Warren to 59 Second Ave,
Albany Guide Book 179
Elk— Eagle to 102 Ontario.
Elm — 79 Grand to 16 Delaware Ave.
Elmendorf — First Ave to McCarty Ave.
Emmet — 1086 Broadway, West.
Erie — Canal to 1157 Broadway (North Albany);
Lincoln Ave., South to New Scotland Ave.
Ethelbert — 1322 Broadway, West.
Exchange — 47 Quay to 39 Dean;
Watervliet Ave., West to Sand Creek
road.
Fairview— Partridge to beyond Oakwood.
Federal — 347 Delaware Ave. to Summit Ave.
Ferry, No. — The river to 881 Broadway.
So.— 134 Broadway to 220 South Pearl.
First — 22 Ten Broeck to 90 Ontario.
Franklin — 94 Madison Ave. to 23 Gansevoort.
Fulton — 10 Market to 125 Madison Ave.
Gansevoort — 205 Quay to 372 South Pearl.
Garden — O'Connel to Hurlbut.
Genesee — 1124 Broadway to 483 North Pearl.
Glenn — First Ave. to McCarty Ave.
Glenwood — New Scotland Ave. to beyond Fairview.
Gould — 115 Colonic, North.
Grand — 66 Beaver to 15 Morton Ave.
Graves — From Central Ave., S. W.
Green — 50 State to Gansevoort.
Halfmoon — Quay to Broadway.
Hamilton — 324 Broadway to 284 Lark; 245 Quail to
213 Partridge.
Hampton — 468 Second Ave. to Leedale.
Hancock — 146 Second Ave. to Liebel.
Herkimer — 65 Church to 154 South Pearl.
180 Albany Guide Book
High — 168 State to 230 Madison Ave.
Hodge — 93 Quay to 283 Broadway.
Howard — 15 South Pearl to opposite 36 Eagle.
Hurlbut — 318 Delaware Ave. to 325 Second Ave.
Hutton — Mohawk St., North.
Irving — 182 South Swan, West.
Jackson — 49 Spencer to 50 Livingston Ave.
James — 63 State to 44 Columbia.
Jay — 64 Eagle to 250 Lark; also, from 197 Quail, and
East from 61 Allen St., North.
Jeanette — Zld Delaware Ave. to Avenue C.
Jefiferson — 122 Eagle to 12 Delaware Ave.
John — 133 Quay to 39 Franklin.
Judson — 473 Clinton Ave. to Manning Blvd., No.
Kate — 12 Cuyler Ave., S. W.
Kehoe — McCarty Ave. to end First Ave.
Kent — 159 Allen, No., to West Lawrence.
Knox — 494 Madison Ave., South to Myrtle Ave.
Krank — 58 Second Ave., South to Seymour Ave.
La Fayette — 1 Park PI. to North Hawk.
Lancaster — 54 Eagle to 36 Willett;
Ontario to Manning Blvd., So.
Lark — Colonic to Morris.
Lawn — 1282 Broadway to Rensselaer Ave.
Lawrence — From the river to 861 Broadway.
Learned — 59 North Ferry to 16 Thacher.
Leedale — Hampton to Barrows.
Leonard — 90 Second Ave., South (to end Seymour
A-ve.).
Liberty — 30 Hudson Ave. to 39 Madison Ave.
Liebel — Leonard St., West.
Lily — Hazelhurst Ave., Westerly.
Albany Guide Book 181
Locust — Western Ave (Stop 5^) East.
Lodge — 90 Columbia to 75 Beaver.
McKinley — Manning Blvd., South to Lincoln Ave.
McKown — O'Connell, East.
Magazine — City line, near west bounds.
Main — Champlain to 1247 Broadway.
Manor — 979 Broadway to the canal.
Maplewood — New Scotland Ave. to Fairview Ave.
Market — 73 South Pearl to 87 Eagle.
Marshall — '364 Delaware Ave., across Second Ave.
Matilda — Second Ave. to beyond city line.
Mercer — 141 South Lake Ave. to Marion Ave.
Mill — Manor, North over bridge.
Milton — Delaware Ave., South to McCarty Ave.
Mohawk — 1112 Broadway, West.
Monroe — 114 North Pearl to opp. 14 Sheridan.
Montgomery — Columbia to 24 North Ferry.
Moore — 183 Second Ave., north to Zimmerman.
Morris — Delaware Ave. to 41 Allen, So.
Mosher — 12 Hamilton to 85 Madison Ave,
Mulberry — 160 Quay to 97 Franklin.
Nineteenth — Washington Ave. to Western Ave.
(Pine Hills).
Norfolk — Kenosha Ave. ( near Leighton Ave.) south.
North — From the canal to 1263 Broadway.
North Ferry — From the river to 881 Broadway.
North Fifth — Broadway, W^est (North Albany).
North First — 1142 Broadway to Rensselaer Ave.
(North Albany).
North Fourth — Broadway, West (North Albany).
North Hawk — 31 Washington Ave. to 40 First St.
North Lansing — 134 Water to 823 Broadway.
182 Albany Guide Book
North Pearl — 11 State to city line, North.
North Second — 1190 Broadway, West.
North Swan — 84 Van Woert to 153 Clinton Ave.
North Third — 1268 Broadway, West (North Albany).
Norton — 7 Green to 24 South Pearl.
Oak — 233 Second St. to Swinton.
Oakwood — New Scotland Ave., N. E.
O'Connell — McCarty Ave. to Anne St.
Odell — 50 Second Ave., South to Seymour Ave.
Ontario — 583 Livingston Ave., South to 131 Wood-
lawn Ave.
Orange — Qi-iay to Robin.
Ormand — South from Stop 3 Western Ave.
Osborne — 39 Elizabeth, West to Dove.
Oxford — North from Stop 5 Western Ave.
Park — 156 State to 11 Lancaster.
Parkwood — New Scotland Ave. to Edison Ave.
Partridge — 718 Clinton Ave., South to New Scotland
Ave.
Philip — 112 Hudson Ave. to Providence.
Pine — Eagle to 47 Chapel.
Pleasant — 940 Broadway to Railroad.
Plum — 183 Quay to 147 Franklin.
Providence — 9 Elizabeth to Beaver Park; So. Lake
Ave. to Allen St. So.
Pruyn — 310 Broadway to 46 Liberty.
Putnam — 170 Second Ave. South.
Quackenbush — 64 Montgomery to 683 Broadway.
Quail — Livingston Ave. to New Scotland Ave.
Quay — 2 Quackenbush to Gansevoort.
Rathbone — 31 No. Ferry to Thacher.
Albany Guide Book 183
Rawson — 589 Central Ave. to Reservoir; 663 Third
to Livingston Ave.
Rensselaer — 153 Quay to 262 So. Pearl.
Revere — 355 Delaware Ave. to Summit.
Road — Opp. 129 Sheridan Ave. to 21 So. Swan.
I>obin — 486 Clinton Ave. to Myrtle Ave.
Russell — Western Ave. East (at Stop 5.
Sand — 235 Second Ave.. North.
Sanders — 196 Second Ave. to First Ave.
Schuyler — 80 Broadway to 40 Clinton.
Scott — Krank to Leonard (So. of 2d Ave.)
Second — Opp. 49 Ten Broeck to Manning Blvd.,
North.
Seneca — Woodlawn Ave. (opp. Ontario to New Scot-
land Ave.)
Sherman — 171 Lark to Partridge.
Sligo — From O'Connell, East.
Slingerland — 219 Second Ave. to Catherine.
Sloan — 100 Third Ave. to 85 Second Ave.
South — Champlain to 1213 Broadway.
South Ferry — 134 Broadway to 220 So. Pearl.
South Hawk— 184 State to 185 Third Ave.
South Jackson— Third Ave. to Second Ave.
South Lansing — 77^^ Church to 21 Franklin.
South Pearl — 88 State to Bethlehem line.
South Swan — 150 Clinton Ave. to Catherine,
Spencer — Water St. to 719 Broadway.
Spring — 21 Dove to opp. Northern Blvd;
11 Cortland Place to 186 Ontario.
Main Ave. to Pine Ave.. North.
Spruce — Eagle to Northern Blvd.
Stanwix — 420 Delaware Ave. to Second Ave., So.
184 Albany Guide Book
State — Recreation pier to Western Ave.;
Cortland Place to 135 Partridge;
107 No. Allen to 123 Pine Ave., No.
Stephen — 50 Third Ave. to 43 Second Ave.
Steuben — Railroad to Lodge.
Sumpter — 2 Exchange to Corning (W. A.)
Swan — See North and South Swan.
Swinton — Oak St. terminus to Judson.
Sycamore — New Scotland Ave., South.
Ten Broeck — Zl Clinton Ave., across Colonic.
Terminal — 610 Livingston Ave. to Railroad.
Teunis — Zd Third Ave. to 7>Z Second Ave.
Thacher — The canal to 939 Broadway.
Third — 40 North Swan to Grant Ave.
Thornton — 281 Second St. across McCrossin Ave.
Tivoli — East of Mill St. to Northern Blvd.
Van Orden — 14 Putnam, Southeast.
Van Tromp — 638 Broadway to 107 No. Pearl.
Van Woert — 868 Broadway to Northern Blvd.
Van Zandt — 113 So. Pearl to 44 Philip.
Vine — 194 Quay to 169 Franklin; Tafft Ave. to Pine
Ave., South.
Walter — No. First St., North to city line.
Warren — 153 Grand to Beaver Park; So. Lake Ave.
to So. Allen.
Water — 13 Columbia to North Ferry.
Watervliet — Loudonville Road to north city line.
Wayne — Benjamin, West over Leonard.
Wendell — 52 Howard to 97 Beaver.
West — 98 Robin to 146 Ontario; West Lawrence to
Allen.
Albany Guide Book 185
West Lawrence — 620 Central Ave. to New Scotland
Ave.
West Van Vechten — 207 Second Ave., North across
Garden St.
Westerlo — 124 Quay to 42 Trinity Place.
Whitehall — 289 Second Ave. to Garden.
Wilbur — 93 Grand to 76 Philip.
Willett — opp. 2)11 State to 469 Madison ave.
William — 10 Howard to 87 Hudson Ave.
Willow — West Lawrence to 219 No. Allen.
Wilson — 740 Broadway to TiZ Ten Broeck.
Wood — 151 Colonic, North.
Yates — 150 So. Lake Ave. to 25 So. Allen.
Zimmerman — Dove St. continued over Moore to
Babcock.
AVENUES
Albion — 515 Delaware Ave., West.
Alden — Second Ave., South.
Almon — Kenosha Ave., South.
Arcadia — Zoor Ave., West.
Austin Ave. — Central Ave., near Mereline, South.
A — Frisbie Ave., East.
40 Seneca St., East.
B — Bertha St., East.
Grove Ave. to Seneca St.
C — Bertha St., East.
D — Frisbie Ave. to Bertha.
Besch — 201 Delaware Ave., West.
Beverly — No. Bvd. to Judson.
Bohl — 602 Delaware Ave., East.
Brookline — Western Ave., South.
Brookside — Troy Road at Menands.
186 Albany Guide Book
Carpenter — O'Connell, East.
Cemetery — Troy Road to cemeteries.
Central — 183 Lark to city line.
Clare — 204 Second Ave., across McCarty Ave.
Clinton — 682 Broadway, to Manning Square.
Clover — Wilkins Ave., Northwest.
Colvin — Washington Ave. to Central Ave.
Cuyler — 449 Delaware Ave., over city line.
Dana — Delaware Ave. to Robin,
Darwin — Kenosha Ave., South.
Daytona — Stop 4 Western Ave., South.
Delaware — 422 Madison Ave., South.
Dongan — 46 Madison Ave. to Gansevoort.
Edgewood — Across end Melrose Ave.
Edison — Glenwood to Oakwood.
Elmhurst — Magazine, Easterly.
Elmwood — From 110 Troy Road (Menands).
Euclid — From Western Ave. (near stop 1), South.
Fairlawn — Western Ave., Northeast.
Fern — Wilkins Ave., Northwest.
Filbert — Livingston Ave., Northeast.
First — 513 So. Pearl, West to Bertha St.
Forest — New Scotland Ave., South.
Fourth — 189 Quay to 68 Elizabeth.
Frisbie — 268 Second Ave. to First Ave,
Frost — Hazelhurst Ave., South.
Glendale — New Scotland Ave. to Helderberg Ave.
Glenwood — from Troy Road (near fair grounds).
Grant — 665 Central Ave. North.
Grove — 261 New Scotland Ave. to Woodlawn; south
to Helderberg Ave.
Haverhill — McCarty Ave., South.
Albany Guide Book 187
Hawthorn — Across Melrose Ave. beyond Fairlawn.
Hazel — Livingston Ave., Northeast.
Hazelhurst — Mereline, beyond Central Ave., West.
Helderberg — Highland Ave. to Forest Ave.
Hickory — Livingston Ave. (near Quail), Northeast.
Highland — New Scotland Ave. (beyond So. Lake
Ave.), South.
Hillcrest — South from Stop AYi, Western Ave.
Hoffman — 310 Second Ave., across McCarty Ave.
Holland — Delaware Ave. to New Scotland Ave.
Homestead — Western Ave. (near 19th St.), across
Melrose.
Hudson — 392 Broadway to Partridge; Main Ave. to
Allen St., North.
Hunter — Manning Blvd. North to Grant Ave.
Jasmine — Wilkins Ave., Northwest.
Kenosha — Philbrick Ave., Southeast.
King — 700 Central Ave. to Bradford St.
Laurel — Fairlawn Ave., Northwest.
Lawnridge — New Scotland Ave. (near Quail), South.
Leighton — McCarty Ave., South.
Lenox — Western Ave. (near Stop 2).
Lexington — 284 Second Ave. to 325 Washington
Ave.
Lincoln — West Lawrence over No. Allen; Erie to
Magazine St.
Livingston — 110 Water St. to 63 Watervliet Ave.
Lyons — Brookside Ave. to Menands Road
(Menands).
McArdle — Livingston Ave., Northeast to Beverly.
McCarty — 531 So. Pearl to Delaware Ave.
McCrossin — Manning Blvd., Northwest.
188 Albany Guide Book
Madison — Quay St. West to 836 Western Ave.
Main, No. — 1059 Madison Ave., North.
Main, So. — 1024 Madison Ave., South.
Maple — Grove Ave. to Woodlawn.
Mapleriidge — Delaware Ave. beyond Whitehall
Road, Northwest.
Maplewood — Crossing Locust and Russell Sts.
Marion — Western Ave. to Hawkins Ave. (Pine
Hills).
Martin — 76 Manning Blvd., North to 99 Watervliet
Ave.
Melrose — 19th St., Northwest beyond Edgewood.
Mereline — Central Ave. beyond City Line West to
Washington Ave.; Delaware Ave. opp. McCarty to
Simpson.
Morton — 13 Clinton St. to 170 Delaware Ave.
Mount View — Delaware Ave. (beyond McCarty),
East.
Mountain View — Philbrick Ave., Southeast.
Myrtle — 127 Grand to Marion Ave.
New Scotland — 558 Madison Ave. to City Line.
N. Y. Central — Manning Blvd. North (beyond 3d)
to Railroad.
North Lake — 141 Western Ave. to 406 Second.
Norwood — New Scotland Ave. to Woodlawn Ave.
Nyack — Kenosha Ave., South.
Onderdonk — Cortland St. West to New Scotland
Ave.
Orchard — Westerly from Stop 7, Western Ave.
Orlando — Westerly from Stop 4, Western Ave.
Park— 149 Grand St. to Allen St., South.
Albany Guide Book 189
Pennsylvania — Livingston Ave. (beyond Northern
Blvd.) to Manning- Blvd., North.
Philbrick — McCarty Ave., South to city line.
Pierpont — Kenosha Ave. (near Haverhill) South.
Pine, No. — Western Ave. to Washington Ave.
Pine, So. — Western Ave. to New Scotland Ave.
Pleasant Viev^^ — South from Stop 7, Western Ave.
Prospect — From Terminal near Railroad.
Railroad — 824 Broadway to 16 Van Woert St.
Saco — Kenosha Ave., South.
Second — 467 So. Pearl to Delaware Ave.
Seminole — South from Stop 3j^ Western Ave.
Seymour — Broad (below 2d Ave.) to Leonard St.
Sheridan — 90 No. Pearl to Robin.
So. Lake — 142 Western Ave. to New Scotland Ave.
Sparkill — Delaware Ave. to McCarty Ave.
Summit — Barclay St., South.
Tafft — Cortland South to New Scotland Ave.
Tampa — South from Stop 3^ Western Ave.
Tappan — Nyack Ave., Southeast.
Ten Eyck — Delaware Ave. (near Second Ave.) over
city line.
Terrace — Western Ave. (beyond 19th St.) over Mel-
rose Ave.
Teunis — Allen St. South (beyond Cortland) to
West Lawrence.
Third — 419 South Pearl to 161 South Hawk.
Tillinghast — W'est from opp. 59 Troy Road (Me-
nands).
Van Rensselaer — Loudonville road North to city
line.
View — Mona Terrace, North and South.
190 Albany Guide Book
Washington — Eagle West to City Line.
Watervliet — 635 Central Ave. to West Albany.
Western — 312 Washington Ave. to Guilderland line.
Wilkins — Livingston Ave. (beyond Thornton),
Northeast over Beverly Ave.
Woodbine — From Idlewild park (Colonie).
Woodlawn — 159 So. Lake Ave. to 393 Partridge St.
Zoor — From 6 Mapleridge Ave.
PLACES
Ash Grove — 45 Trinity to 114 Grand.
Avon — Locust to Russell.
Bleecker — 151 Eagle to 96 Philip.
Capitol — Washington Ave. to State.
Cliff — Allen St., South.
Columbia — Eagle, near Columbia St.
Cortland — 470 Washington Ave. to 159 Western
Ave.
Cuyler — McCarty Ave. to Sparkill Ave.
Dale — Allen St., South to West Lawrence.
Ditson — 229 Livingston Ave. to 250 Colonie.
Droogan — From 5 Clinton St.
Elberon — 47 South Lake Ave. to opp 193 Quail.
Englewood — Western Ave. to the Park.
Frost — Central Ave, beyond Mereline, Southerly.
Garfield — 14 Colby to 35 Watervliet.
Hall — Second St. to Ten Broeck Place.
Kenmore — Between 65 Columbia and Chapel St.
Kings — 27 North Swan, East.
Kirk — 902 Broadway to 383 North Pearl.
Leonard — 69 Delaware Ave., West.
Madison — 493^ Philip to 125 Eagle St.
Albany Guide Book 191
Merchant — 162 Hamilton to 105 Eagle.
Orr — 74 Myrtle Ave. to 91 Park Ave.
Park — 2 La Fayette to 1 Washington Ave.
Phoenix — From 144 Hudson Ave.
Prospect — 119 Philip to Eagle.
Providence — 103 Delaware Ave., West.
Ramsa — New Scotland Ave., West of Norwood
Ave.
St. Ann's — From 95 Fourth Ave.
Sheridan — 69 Sheridan Ave. to 102 Orange St.
Sprague — 312 Washington Ave. to 461 State.
Ten Broeck — opp. 11 Ten Broeck to 41 North
Swan.
Trinity — 126 Madison Ave. to 125 Arch St.
Whitehall — From Delaware Ave. (opp. Second
Ave.).
BOULEVARDS
Berkshire — Orlando Ave., North,
Manning, No. — 549 Central Ave. to Van Woert St.
Manning, So. — Western Ave. to 542 Central Ave.
Northern — 401 State St. to Van Rensselaer Ave.
ROADS
Bethlehem — From end South Pearl St., South.
Kenmar — From 3 Lyons Ave. (Menands).
Kenwood — From So. Pearl near Bethlehem line.
Loudonville — From 998 Broadway, Northwest.
McDonald — Whitehall Road to Maplebridge Ave.
Menands— 77 Troy Road, West.
Russell — Central Ave., North to city line.
Sard — Whitehall Road to Mapleridge Ave.
192 Albany Guide Book
Schenectady — Terminus Central Ave. to railroad
bridge.
Shaker — Loudonville Road, West to City Line.
Troy — Continuation of Broadway from City Line.
Villa — From Brookside Ave. (Menands).
Whitehall — Continuation of Second Ave.
TURNPIKES
Albany and Schenectady — From end Central Ave.,
West.
DRIVES
Catalpa — Summit Ave., West.
LANES
Garbrance — Troy Road, East.
Hart's — From Cemetery Ave.
Maiden — .34 Quay St. to 25 Eagle.
Ward's — Troy Road (beyond Chadwick park) Me-
nands.
ALLEYS
Center — Porter Court, North.
Eagle — Opposite 19 Hamilton to opp. 8 Pruyn.
Garden — 101 Dove, Westerly.
Hunter's — 72 North Swan, West.
John St. — 12 John to 19 Westerlo.
Lancaster — 3 Lancaster to Park.
Ludlow — 57 CHnton Ave. to 83 North Hawk.
Mosher St. — 15 Mosher, West.
Warren St — 6 Warren to 10 Elizabeth.
W^atson — 50 South Hawk to 131 South Swan,
Wendell — 104 Eagle to 56 High St.
Albany Guide Book 193
TERRACES
Bogart — 216 Second Ave., South
Delaware — 235 Delaware Ave., North.
MacPherson — 475 to 511 Clinton Ave.
Magnolia — 247 Delaware Ave., West.
Mona — Delaware Ave., East.
St. Joseph's — Opp. 30 First St. to Second St.
Thurlow — Opp. 99 Western Ave., South.
SQUARES
Clinton — North Pearl between Orange and Clinton
Ave.
Delaware — Myrtle Ave., Lark St., Delaware Ave.
Manning — Junction Central and Clinton Aves.
Market — 90 Beaver to 95 Hudson Ave.
Steamboat — Broadway and Church St.
HEIGHTS
Dudley — Junction Manning Blvd., North, and North-
ern Blvd.
Kenwood — South Pearl, South of McCarty Ave.
MISCELLANEOUS
Island Creek — Foot of Green St.
Lumber District — North Ferry St., North.
Osborne Row — Clare Ave. from McCarty, North.
Porter Court — 52 Benjamin St. to 2 Odell.
Prospect Hill — Between Prospect Ave. and Railroad.
Speedway — Washington Ave. from Quail to Allen.
13
194 Albany Guide Book
TEACHERS COLLEGE
A handsome building of classical design, at
Western avenue and Robin street, houses the
State College for Teachers. The main building
is 200 by 80 feet; the science building 90 by 180
and the chapel 80 by 160 feet. The Western
avenue front is very impressive because of the
central facade and the colonnade. The school is
now 72i years old and the present handsome
building was opened in 1909. It has about 1,000
scholars enrolled and over 4,000 graduates up to
date. It annually sends out about 150 teachers
into the high schools of the State.
TELEGRAPH OFFICES
Both the Western Union and the Postal com-
panies have their offices on State street, — the
W^estern Union a few doors below James street
and the Postal a few doors above Pearl street.
Both have branches in the Capitol.
Note. — The first telegraph office was opened in 1845
in the old Exchange building which stood on a portion
of the site of the present Post Office building. The
line between Albany and New York was completed in
1846.
Albany Guide Book 195
MEMORANDA
196 Albany Guide Book
TELEPHONE BUILDING
The great marble edilice on State street near
the Capitol is the home of the telephone com-
pany and houses one of the best equipped ser-
vices in the country. It was erected in 1914-15,
is twelve stories high, l)uilt of steel, stone and
concrete and cost approximately v$l, 500,000. It
was occupied in 1915. The building fronts 75
feet on State street by 190 feet on Park street
and is 211 feet high above the street. Experts
say it is one of the few perfect office buildings in
the State. The first, second, third and part of
the fourth floors are used exclusively by the Tele-
phone compau}' for its business ; other floors
are occupied chiefly by State officers.
There are two floors below the street level, the
first containing the steam heating and refrig-
erating plants, gas engines, cable vault and
storerooms. In the basement are lockers and the
janitor's quarters. On the main floor are located
the local commercial offices of the Hudson river
division of the company, covering eighteen
counties. The long distance switchboards oc-
cupy the second floor, where also are spacious
lunch and rest rooms for the employees. The
third floor is given over to the local switch-
boards and the fully equipped training school
Albany Guide Book 197
which the company conducts for its operators.
Part of the fourth tioor is taken up by the termi-
nal room, and on the sixth floor are located the
company's offices.
At present there are 86 operating positions
with a capacity for serving- 20,000 stations. The
Albany switchboard alone now handles 18,835
telephones with a daily average of 123,000 local
and 1,600 long distance calls. There are 267 op-
erators.
In addition to the guaranteed fireproof con-
struction, protection against fire is given by a
fire-proof tower for exits, a huge standpipe, great
tanks on the roof holding 3,500 gallons of water
and a tank in the basement holding 10,000 gal-
lons. A sprinkler system is used.
Note. — Albany was one of the first cities in the coun-
try to have a telephone installation and the interesting
history of its development was given by Mr. F. H.
Bethel before the City Planning Association in 1913.
Tn substance he said: Early in 1877 a line was run from
the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph company at 444
Broadway to the residence of Charles Sewell at Bath-
on-the-Hudson. This was about one year after Prof.
Bell had exhibited his speaking telephone at the Cen-
tennial exposition at Philadelphia. Early in 1878 the
American District Telegraph company opened the first
telephone exchange over the Van Heusen and Charles
198 Albany Guide Book
store at 470 Broadway — the third in existence. A
second telephone company formed during the follow-
ing year with offices at 558 Broadway, but in 1880 there
M'^as a consolidation and in 1883 the Albany company
became a part of the Hudson River Telephone com-
pany. In 1891 a telephone building was completed at
Maiden lane and Chapel street which was occupied on
October 1, 1892. The growth of the business was very
rapid — from 1.000 telephones in 1891 to 4,100 in 1901,
to approximately 16,000 in 1913.
(In 1916 the total number of telephones in use in the
city was approximately 20,190, and the growth steadily
going on shows how necessary was the erection of the
new building.
THEATERS
Player folk always have had a ready welcoine
in Albany and students of things theatrical will
find highly interesting details in the special study
by Henry P. Phelps entitled " Players of a Cen-
tury ; a Record of the Albany Stage." The lead-
ing theatre at present is Harmanus Bleecker Hall
(p. 89) ; owned by the Young Men's Associa-
tion ; opened October 9, 1889; remodeled 1898;
seats 1,800.
Other playhouses are : The Old Leland Opera
house on South Pearl street between Hudson
avenue and Beaver street; occupies the site of an
old theater erected in 1824; Academy of Music,
Albany Guide Book 199
opened on the site by John M. Trimble in 1863;
burned January 29, 1868; rebuilt and reopened
December 30, 1869; seats 1,000. The Empire
theatre, State street above Pearl street; built in
1898; opened September 12 that year; seats
1,200. There now also are many "motion pic-
ture " theaters located in various parts of the
city, having an aggregate seating capacity of
12,h4.
Note. — Professional theatrical performers were first
licensed to play in Albany in 1769 by Gov. Moore and
the old hospital building on Barrack street (now Pine)
was fitted with a stage for their use. In 1812 the
famous Green street theater was built which opened
January 18, 1813, and was the first theater in Albany;
later it became a church, but on July 5, 1852, it re-
opened as a theater and became a concert hall where
Ada Isaacs Menken first appeared as Mazeppa. It was
next a business house, then a variety theater (the
Gaiety) and finally in 1913 burned down.
VALE OF TAWASENTHA
The beautiful valley of the Normanskill, made
famous by Longfellow's " Hiawatha," is but
four miles from the city and occasionally is vis-
ited by visitors who are curious about the loca-
tion described in the poem.
200 Albany Guide Book
VIADUCTS
Three spacious steel bridges span the valleys
in various parts of the city, Hawk street ; length
986 feet ; opened in 1890. Knox street ; length
759 feet; opened in 1898. Northern Boulevard;
length 653 feet ; opened in 1896. There also is a
small viaduct called the " Broadway," which is
for railroad use only.
WATERWORKS
The administration building is located on
Quackenbush street just below Broadway,
where also are the great pumping engines. An
effort once was made (1885) to get a water
supply from driven wells on the flats above the
city, but it proved an expensive failure. The
present ample water supply is secured from the
river, filtered and purified (chemically) and in
part stored in great reservoirs from which it is
drawn as required. See " Reservoirs " (p. 152).
Note. — In 1686 Albany got its water from a pond at
the head of Yonkers (State) street, created by a dam
across a stream, and through small bored logs. In 1796
the Legislature authorized the city to procure water
by conduit. In 1797 Stephen Van Rensselaer granted
the city permission to use Maezlandt kill (northwest of
the city) for a water supply. In 1802 the Albany
Albany Guide Book 201
Waterworks compaii}^ was incorporated and built a
stone reservoir in 1911 where now stands the County
court house at Eagle, Columbia and Steuben streets.
In 1848 the Common Council voted in favor of a city-
water supply " at public expense." . In 1850 the city
water commission bought the Patroon's creek and ad-
jacent land for $150,000 and later awarded $600,000
worth of work on a water system at West Albany. In
1851 Bleecker reservoir was under construction and
later the Patroon's creek was dammed to form Rens-
selaer and Tivoli lakes. The pumping station on
Quackenbush street was established in 1875.
WATER FRONT
Taking the place of the old wooden docks and
narrow street along- the river front now is a solid
and attractive line of concrete docks on wdiich
are erected the various structures required for
the transaction of the steadily growing passenger
and freight l:)usiness of the navigation lines. Ad-
equate provision also is made here for safe con-
nections for the great raih'oad lines connecting
with navigation at this point (see p. 154).
WEATHER BUREAU
Located in the tower of the Government
building at the foot of State street is a well-
equipped and valuable observation station. Its
records run back many years and are available
202 Albany Guide Book
for reasonable use. The scientist in charge of
the station is a Federal employee and has at his
command all the latest inventions for use in his
important work.
WEST ALBANY
This suburb contains the great repair shops
and other buildings of the Central railroad
which are located on private property and
fenced in. Strangers having business to trans-
act can, however, secure admission. The place
once was one of the largest cattle markets in the
country and also handled many sheep. Take a
A\^est Albany car.
YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION
This organization, which is the oldest of its
kind in the United States, is located in Har-
manus Bleecker Hall, which it controls. It con-
ducts a useful library. It was founded in 1833
and incorporated in 1835. For years the associa-
tion was located at North Pearl and Steuben
street, where afterward was erected the Dela-
ware & Hudson railroad building. See Public
Hall (p. 89).
Albany Guide Booic 203
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
This very popular institution has its admin-
istration building at North Pearl and Steuben
streets, its Railroad branch well housed on
Broadway and also a fine building at West Al-
bany. It was organized March 23, 1857. It is
thoroughly equipped for its work and the North
Pearl street building contains an especially good
library, gymnasium with baths and up-to-date
apparatus, and a large lecture hall. At the en-
trance is a bronze tablet inscribed :
This building is the gift of James B. Jermain to the
Young Men's Christian Association of the city of
Albany, The site is the gift of citizens. Cornerstone
laid September 20, 1866. Building dedicated September
22. 1877. •
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
An attractive non-sectarian center for women
occupies commodious quarters in the building
facing on Lodge street and running from Steu-
ben to Columbia. It contains pleasant parlors,
reading rooms, Cafeteria, guest chambers for the
accommodation of women strangers in the city
and many other attractions. A spacious gymna-
sium, the Acors Rathbun memorial, occupies a
special adjoining building in the rear and was
204 Albany Guide Book
given by Mrs. Rathbun in 1906 as a memorial to
her husband.
Note. — The institution grew out of a determination
on the part of Mrs. Rathbun and Miss Tweddle in 1888
to provide a place where self-supporting- women could
find lodging and protection. The newly organized
y. W. C. A. first used two fiats at 128 State street; in
1891 the Whitney residence was bought for $15,000,
and on May 18 dedicated to the work. In 1904 Mrs.
Rathbun bought from the Jermain estate property No.
4 Lodge street and on November 15, 1905, the building
was dedicated. Later the remainder of the block was
S( cured.
YACHT CLUB
A popular organization formed on April 16,
1873, which for 3'ears maintained a fleet of swift
sailing racers. Originally its house w^as on the
opposite side of the river where it was destroyed
by fire. Its present magnificent cpuirters are in
the handsome house on Recreation pier and its
fleet consists of many motor boats. The yacht
clubhouse is one of the most attractive in the
countrv.
Albany Guide Book 205
ADDENDA
ALBANY COUNTY HAMLETS
List of villages and settlements of Albany
county by towns, prepared in 1916 by Frederick
Easton, Deputy County Clerk:
Berne — Thompsons Lake, Berne. East Berne, West
Berne, South Berne, Wolf Hill, Reidsville, Myrtle.
Bethlehem — Hurstville, Slingerlands, Normansville,
Elsmerc. Delmar, Kenwood. Glenmont, Bethlehem
Center. Wemple, Beckers Corners, Cedar Hill, Calla-
nans Corners (in three towns), South Bethlehem, Sel-
kirk.
Coeymans — Ravena, Coeymans. Acquetuck. Coey-
mans Hollow, Indian- Fields, Keefers Corners, Alcove
(also called Stephenville).
Knox — Thompsons Lake, Knox, West Township,
East Township.
Colonie — Colonic, Lisha Kill, Karners, Verdoy,
Shakers, Lathams. Newtonville, Irelands Corners,
Loudonville, West Albany, Menands, Cemetery, Cres-
cent Station.
Guilderland — McKnownville, Meadowdale. Guilder-
land. Guilderland Center. Altamont, Dunnsville, Sloans-
ville (also called French's Mills), Fullers.
New Scotland — Voorheesville. New Salem, New
Scotland, L'nicnville, Clarksville, Onesquetha (also
called Tarrytown), Feura Bush (also called Jerusalem),
Stony Hill.
206 Albany Guide Book
Rensselaerville — Rensselaerville, Smiths Corners,
Medusa, Cooksburg, Preston Hollow, Potter Hollow,
Connersville.
Westerlo — Van Leiivens Corners, Westerlo (also
called Chesterville), DormansviHe, South Westerlo,
Lambs Corners.
ARCHITECTURE
Many of the public and private buildings in
Albany are noted for their architectural beauty.
Very apparent examples are the Delaware &
Hudson railroad edifice on the Plaza, the Capi-
tol, the State PMucation building, the City Hall,
the State house, the County- Court house, the
Albany Academy, the Municipal Gas company
building, the Telephone building, several of the
new schools and a number of residences. Some
of the few notable old houses remaining are fa-
mous specimens of the architectural genius of
their day. Experts have declared that " Archi-
tectural Albany of today takes rank with the best
cities in the country." Many periods of architec-
ture are represented and the best talent of the
craft has been employed to furnish adequate and
appropriate designs.
Albany Guide Book 207
ARMS OF THE CITY
Simon DeWitt, engineer on the staff of Gen-
eral Washington, city surveyor and long sur-
veyor-general of the State, is credited with de-
signing the coat of arms of Albany which was
adopted by the Common Council in 1789 and re-
adopted in 1887. The device consists of a shield
with sheaves of wheat on a red field (commemo-
rating the city's early great flour trade) above
which is a beaver at work (commemorating the
early fur trade) ; on either side are a farmer and
an Indian (producers of its wealth) ; above, a
river" sloop under full sail (typifying the com-
merce) ; below, the motto '' Assiduity " (com-
memorating the dominant virtue of the early
settlers).
In 1752 the city seal containing a beaver was
adopted by the Common Council.
BI-CENTENNIAL
The great historical celebration of the bi-cen-
tenary of Albany as a chartered city opened on
Sunday, July 18, 1886, with special appropriate
services in all churches. The program included :
Monday, July 19, Education day ; the opening of
the city gates by Mayor John Boyd Thacher with
ancient ceremonials; parade of trades and manu-
208 Albany Guide Book
factures ; canoe races in Washington park ; fire-
works in the park in the evening. Tuesday, All
Nations day; parade of all nationalities; regatta
on the river; planting in Washington park of an
oak tree by the Germans and of an elm by the
colored citizenry. Wednesday, Civic day ; grand
general celebration. Thursday, Bi-centennial day ;
grand general celebration and distribution of
medals. Friday, ALanufacturers' day; parades
and other events. The distinctive feature of the
celebration was a big loan exhibition in the Al-
bany Academy building, showing treasures of the
old city homes, which opened July 5. The 'cele-
bration was notable for a bi-centennial flag, a
memorial book, a beautiful souvenir card and a
number of distinctive medals. The attendance at
this celebration w^as to great that tents were
placed in the parks to accommodate visitors.
BICYCLES
In 1900 it was estimated that there were about
5,000 wheels in use in the city and riding was
very popular. Several strong organizations ol;
wheelmen existed, including the Albany Bicycle
Club, organized 1880, house at 285 Lark street ;
Capital City Wheelmen, house on Hudson ave-
nue, near Willett street; Albany County Wheel-
Albany Guide Book 209
men, organized 1886, house at Madison avenue
and Allen street; North End Wheelmen, organ-
ized 1896, house at Broadway and Tivoli street,
and the Triangle Cyclers, located in the Y. M. C.
A. building. These all now are practically out of
existence.
BOOKS ABOUT ALBANY
Some of the better known books about Albany
bear the following titles :
Albany — Its Place in the History of the United
States. Berthold Fernow, 1884.
Albany Bicentennial, The: Historical Memoirs. A.
Bleecker Banks, 1884.
Albany Chronicles. Ciiyler Reynolds, 1906.
Albany Handbook, The. Henry P. Phelps, 1884.
Albany Rural Cemetery, The. Henry P. Phelps, 1893.
Annals of Albany. 10 vols. Joel Munsell, 1869.
Capital Centenary, The. 1897.
Collections on the History of Albany. Joel Mun-
sell, 1871.
Early Settlers of x\lbany. Prof. Jonathan Pearson.
History of the City of Albany. A. J. Weise, 1884.
History of Albany and Schenectady Counties.
Howell-Tenney, 1886.
Landmarks of Albany County. Amasa J. Parker>
1897.
14
210 Albany Guide Book
Players of a Century A Record of the Albany Stage.
Henry P. Phelps. 1880.
Public Parks of the City of Albany. Egerton, 1892.
Reminiscences of Albany. J. J. Hill, 1884.
Settlement and Early History of Albany. William
Barnes, 1851.
St. Peter's Church, History of. Rev. Joseph Hooper,
1900.
There also are many monographs, histories of
churches and other buildings, biographies, etc.
CAPITAL DISTRICT PARK
Agitation for public recreation ground to bene-
fit Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Rensselaer,
Watervliet and Cohoes was begun in 1916 by
Lynn J. Arnold and on December 7 of that year
the Capital District Recreation League was
organized in the State Education building by
women representing the localities named. Mrs.
P>. Darwin Jenison, representing the Albany
Mothers Club, was chosen chairman. Prominent
speakers were present and Judge Arnold outlined
a project for a vSix City park to be located in the
old Shaker settlement, eight miles from each of
the localities interested.
Albany Guide Book 211
CITY FLAG
As yet the city has no official flag. A move-
ment in 1916 to adopt a city flag failed because
of the violent opposition to putting the orange
color in the emblem, although the Holland
Society declared it was the original color of the
United Netherlands and closely connected with
the history of the city from its settlement by the
Dutch. Judge Franklin M. Danaher, of the His-
torical Society committee, insisted that the
orange color would be offensive to many. The
Common Council, on January 18, after hearing
such arguments, voted for a flag having red,
white and blue perpendicular bars. Mayor
Joseph A\\ Stevens vetoed this on January 31,
after many citizens had objected that orange,
white and blue were the colors of old Fort
Orange and thus properly the colors for Albany
instead of the adaptation of the nation colors
proposed.
COASTING
This winter pastime was popular with the early
settlers and continued to be so for years until the
city's grow^th and the street cars made it too
dangerous. In 1887 a winter carnival was held
which was notable for the " bob sled " parade,
in which the Beverwyck, 28 feet long, and the
212 Albany Guide Bo6k
Brooklyn Bridge, 40 feet long, took part. The
coasting was done on Madison avenne hill, which
was roped off and policed for safety. In 1888 an
ice palace was erected in Washington park and a
carnival held on January 15. In 1889 on Febru-
ary 2, during a carnival, the sled races on
Madison avenue were marred by fatal accidents
and Charles O'llara w^as killed by the " bob "
Alderman Connors. Thereafter the sport was
discontinued because of the danger at the street
crossings and the many serious accidents which
kept occurring.
FAMOUS CITIZENS
Many distinguished men have claimed Albany
as their home city all through its history.
Among them were :
(^Chester A. Arthur — Twenty-first President of the
United States, notable sarcophagus in Rural cemetery?)
James Dwight Dana — Eminent scientist, distinctive
granite fountain erected 1903 by Dana Natural History
society in small park at juncture of Madison and Dela-
ware avenues.
Joseph Henry — Distinguished scientist, commemor-
ative bronze tablet on southeast corner of Albany
Academy where he taught and his great discovery of
the electro-magnet was made.
Rufus H. King — Prominent banker, commemorative
fountain in Washington park.
Albany Guide Book 213
Philip Livingston — Patriot and puljlicist, commem-
orative tablet on North Pearl street.
Joel Munsell — Printer and historian of early city,
commemorative tablet in front of 60 State street.
Philip Schuyler — Distinguished earV resident, tab-
let on southwest corner County bank building at State
and South Pearl streets.
General Philip Sheridan — Renowned soldier, monu-
ment in Capitol park.
Kiliaen Van Rensselaer — Noted early res'dtnt, tab-
let on City Hall front.
Colonel Marinus Willett — Tablet set in huge
boulder in Washington park, near State and Willett
street entrance.
GREAT FIRES
On Xovember 17, 1793, fire swept the territory
between Broadway, Maiden lane. State and
James streets; loss $250,000. Several slaves
accused of starting this conflagration were after-
ward hanged on Pinxter Hill. On August 4,
1797, lire destroyed fifty houses between Broad-
way and Steuben street, Columbia street and the
river. On April 17, 1828, a loss of $40,000 was
caused by a fire which started in the bell foundry
on Beaver street, ])etween Broadway and Green
street, and burned through to Hudson avenue.
On April 28, 1839, the *' Pearl Street House hre "
destroyed property l^etween P^earl street, Madi-
son avenue, Hamilton and Rose streets. . On
214 Albany Guide Book
August 17, 1848, occurred '' The Big Fire " which
was started by a washerwoman in the Albion
Hotel at Broadway and Herkimer street, and,
driven by a strong wind, swept Broadway and
Church street, crossed to the pier and swept
everything along Broadway from Maiden lane to
Hudson avenue. It was checked b}^ a heavy rain
at night but destroyed 600 buildings and did
damage estimated at $3,000,000. On January 16,
1883, Tweddle Hall at State and Pearl streets
burned. On March 3, 1883, the Dunlop elevator
on Quay street, near Hamilton, was destroyed
and there were several fatalities.
HALL OF FAME
In 1912 Rt. Rev. Bishop Doane, Episcopal
bishop of Albany, by request, selected the
'' Twenty Greatest Albanians " for a Hall of
Fame for the city. The selection seems to have
ended the matter, although the choice was very
generally approved. The notable names on the
list were :
General Philip Sheridan — Greatest cavalry leader of
the Union army.
Professor Joseph P. Henry — Discoverer of the tele-
graph.
Mrs. Blandina Dudley — Founder of the Dudley
observatory.
Albany Guide Book 215
Harmaniis Bleecker — Philanthropist.
Philip Livingston — Signer of the Declaration of
Independence.
Madam A^bani — Singer of world-wide fame.
General Peter Gansevoort — Revolutionary hero.
Dr. John Swinburne — Noted surgeon and founder
of the first free dispensary.
Dr. James H. Armsby — Physician and surgeon, of
whom there is a statue in Washington park.
Dr. Thomas Hun — Physician and one of the found-
ers of the Albany hospital.
Rev. Dr. William B. Sprague — Presbyterian min-
ister.
General Philip Schuyler — Revolutionary hero^
Thomas Olcott — Banker and philanthropist.
James B. Jermain — Philanthropist.
Daniel Manning — Banker and statesman.
Professor T. Romeyn Beck — Educator.
Professor Peter Bullions — Educator and author of
classical grammars.
John V. L. Pruyn — Chancellor of the University of
the 3tate of New York.
Erastus Corning — Business man and public spirited
citizen.
Joel Munsell — Publisher.
HEALTH
Albany's death rate is low and the city is well
suited by natural advantages and modern re-
sources to be a sanitary city. The building of
the intercepting sewer and sewage disposal plant
216 Albany Guide Book
have " cleaned house" most decidedly. There
have been no serious outbreaks of disease in re-
cent years. Past epidemics were : Cholera, in
1832, when stores were closed, church services
abandoned, the Lancaster school turned into a
hospital and hundreds died. In 1834 and 1849
the disease again was epidemic ; the latter year it
broke out in June and was almost as deadly as
in 1832. A slight cholera epidemic occurred
again in 1854.
HELDERBERGS
A noted range of mountains about twenty
miles west of the city from which they are easily
visible. The name is derived from " Helle-berg "
meaning " clear mountains," and was given by
the original settlers of the section. The high
cliffs are of limestone and filled with fossils.
On their summit are the only two real lakes in
the county — Thompson's and Warner's. The
famous " Indian Ladder " region is included in
Thacher park (p. 224) and is noted in song and
story.
Note. — On November 30, 1839, farmers in the moun-
tains refused longer to pay toll to the Patroon and a
short excitement known as the " Anti-rent war "
resulted. It necessitated calling out the militia.
Albany Guide Book 217
MOTHERS' CLUB
In September, 1889, Mrs. D. O. Mears, when
president of the State Assembly of Mothers, had
a call issued from the pulpits of the city churches
for a meeting of women interested in mothers'
work. It was held in the rooms of the Y. W. C. A.
and resulted in having the convention of the
Mothers' Assembly held in Albany in October,
1899, in the Assembly chamber at the Capitol,
the first time the great room ever was occupied
by a woman's organization. In Xovember,
1899, over 100 prominent women met in the
Y. W. C. A. rooms and decided to form the Al-
bany Mothers' Club. In December the com-
mittees were selected and in January, 1900,
officers were chosen, Mrs. Charles W. Cole being
the first president. In April following, the club
established the first summer playground for chil-
dren in PJeaver (now Lincoln) park — the first
in the city or vicinity. It was formally opened
on July 18. The club incorporated in March,
1904, and that year, Mrs. John D. Whish being
president, Dudley park was opened as a play-
ground. In 1908 Swinburne park playground was
opened. The others followed (see Playgrounds).
218
Albany Guide Book
NAMES MENTIONED IN TEXT
PAGE
Addington, George 65
Ainsworth, Danforth E. . 221
Albani, Madam 215
Albertsen, Hendrick 41
Allen, Benjamin 26
Armsby, Dr. J. H.72, 134, 215
Arnold, Lynn J 210
Arthur, Chester A 212^^
Astor, John Jacob 97
Banks, A. Bleecker 200
Banks, Mrs. R. L 221
Barclay, Thomas 56
Barnes, William 9
Battershall,Rev.W.W..36, 37
Beck, Prof. T. Romeyn. .215
Beekman, J. J 100
Bender, Matthew 122
Bethel, F. H 197
Bingham, Reuben H 121
Black, Gov. Frank S . , . . 44
Bleecker, Harmanus 89
90,215
Bogardus, Anneke Janse
16, 103
Boss, Prof 133
Boughton, George 30
Bowditch, Mrs. Edward. 222
Boyd, James 39
Bradley, John E 93
Brady, A. N 54, 112
Bridgeford, William W . . 84
Brines, George Francis. . . 45
Bronck, Pieter 40
Brunner, Arnold W 9
Bullions, Prof. Peter. .37, 215
Burr, Aaron 19, 60
Calverly, Charles I34vj
Chester, Alden 65
PAGE
Clarke, Dr. John M .167, 224
Clinton, Gov. Dewitt 102
Cole, Mrs. Charles W 217
Cooper, Gen. John Tay-
lor 60
Corning, Erastus 60
.89,92,215
Coster, S., Cornelia 91
Crook, Alfred T 30
Cox, Dr. James W 72
Dana, Prof. J. D 63, 212
Danaher, Franklin M.. . . 211
Davidson, George G 221
Davis, Sallie 160
Dederick, Archibald M . . 32
De Witt, Simon 1 74, 207
Dielman, Frederick 34
Doane, Rt. Rev. W. C. 54, 214
Dongan, Gov. Thomas. . . 5
10, 52
Douw, Volckert J 40
Draper, Andrew S 75
Dudley, Mrs. Blandina. .214
Easton, Frederick 205
Edson, Calvin 128
Elliott, Charles L 30
Emmett, " Fritz " 62
Fernow, Berthold 209
Fine, John 40
Finley, Dr. John H 224
Fry, Joseph 69
Fulton, Robert 172
Fuller, Thomas 43
Gay, Edward 30
Gansevoort, H. H 40
Gansevoort, Gen. Peter
114.215
Glandorf , Johannes 1 58
Albany Guide Book
219
PAGE
Glazier, Col. Willard 37
Glynn, Gov. Martin H.
160, 224
Goodrich, Horace 180
Greenalch, Wallace 152
Hall, Prof. James . 85, 86, 136
Ham, Frederick C 146
Hamilton, Alexander. ... 96
103,104
Harris, Hamilton 44
Harte, Bret 37
Hazen, Allen 82
Henry, Prof. Joseph 19
26, 99, 106
Herring, Dr. Rudolph ... 120
Herzog, Jacob A 157
Higgins, Michael J 84
Hill, Gov. David B 62
Hill, J. J 210
Hill, Samuel 60
Hills, Mrs. William R .. . 37
Hoffman, Gov. John T. . . 44
Hooper. Rev. Joseph. ... 210
Howe, Lord 55, 102
Hudson, Henry 9
Hughes, Archbishop 54
Hun, Dr. Thomas 215
Hunter, Governor 56
Irving, Washington . . .17, 103
Janse, Anneke f 6, 103
Jansen, Marcellus 39
Jenison, Mrs. E. Darwin. 210
Jermain, James B. . . 203, 215
Keeley, Patrick C 57
Kidd, James 47
King, Gen. Charles 37
King, Henry L 134
King, Rufus H 1 34, 2 12 ^'
Kunz, Dr. George F 224
La Fayette, General 109
PAGE
Lanagan, Frank 154
Lang, Charles M 30
Lansing, Mrs. C. G 222
Lansing, J. Townsend ... 98
Lee. Ann 160
Leonard, Jacob 136
Lincoln, President 109
Livingston, Philip 16
106, 109, 213, 215
Longfellow, Henry W.24, 199
Loucks, J. Harris 65
Low, Will H 30
77, 124,203
Manning, Daniel 215
Manning, Mrs. Daniel. . . 94
Manning, James H 221
March, Dr. Alden 72
Martin, Homer D 30
Marvin, Rev. F. R 37
MacNeil, H. A 162/^
McCall, John A 54
McDougal, James 30
McEwan, James B 9, 154
McQuaid, James 83
Mears, Mrs. D. 217
Menand, Louis 128
Menken, Ada Isaacs 199
Milbank, Dr. WilHam E . 32
Miller, George Douglas. . 221
Mills, Col. John 135
Monahan, M. J 37
Moore, Governor 57
Morgan, William 146
Mosher, Dr. Jacob S . . . . 72
Munsell, Joel 37
107, 209, 213, 215
Nichols, Governor 107
Ochtman, Leonard 30
O'Hara, Charles 212
Olcott, Dudley 92, 94
220
Albany Guide Book
PAGE
Olcott, Thomas 215
Ouderkirk, Jan Jansen ... 40
Palmer, Walter Launt. . . 30
Parker, Arthur C 168, 224
Parker, Amasa J. . 90, 92, 209
Parker, Mrs. A. J., Jr 222
Parker, Mary 54
Pearson, J 209
Pennie, Robert 30
Perry, Isaac G 79
Phelps, Henry P. 198, 209, 210
Pillsbury, Amos 138
Pilcher, Louis F 67, 159
Pruyn, Charles L 55
Pruyn, Robert C 55
Pruyn, John V. L. 44, 90, 215
Pruyn, Mrs. J. V. L 55
Rathburi, Acors 203
Rathbun, Mrs. A 204
Rathbun, Mrs. C. K 222
Remington, Frederic .... 30
Rennie, A. H 115
Reynolds, Cuyler . .37, 40, 209
Rhind, J. Massey 134
Rice, Col. W. G 20, 174
Rice, Mrs. W. G 55
Richardson, H. H 59
Robertson, Alexander.. . . 131
Robertson, James 131
Rockwell, F. W 115
Roosevelt, Theodore 166
Rudd, William P 65, 92
Sage, Dean 222
Sage, Henry M 143
Saxe, John G 37
Schermerhorn, Jacob J . . . 40
Schutte, John "107, 158
Schuyler, Elizabeth 96
103, 104
PAGE
Schuyler, Col. Peter 11
100, lOI
Schuyler, Gen. Philip. ... 16
96,103,159,213,215
Sewell, Charles 197
Sheldon, Professor 45
Sheridan, Gen. Philip H . 160
213,214
Sprague, Rev. W. B 215
Staley, Elhs J 65
Stevens, Joseph W. . 160, 211
Strong. Mrs. A. H 95
Stuyvesant, Pieter .... 10, 66
Sullivan, James 95
vSwinburne, Dr. John .72,215
Ten Broeck, Gen. A. . . 33, 94
Ten Eyck, James 127
Thacher, Mrs. E. T 224
Thacher, John Boyd 37
90, 100, 207
Thompson, Launt 30
Tilden, Gov. Samuel J. . . 79
Tozier, Blanche 143
Trimble, John M 199
Tweddle, George 36, 55
Tweddle, Miss 204
Twitchell, Asa W 30
Van Ingen, Harmanus. . . S^
Van Ingen, James 124
Van Rensselaer, Mrs. W. B. 222
Van Rensselaer, Jan Bap-
tiste 10
Van Rensselaer, Johannes 95
Van Rensselaer, Kiliaen. 10
56,95,106,213
Van Rensselaer, Philip S. 46
Van Rensselaer, Stephen
97, 200
Van Vechten, Cornelius. . 41
Albany Guide Book 221
PAGE PAGE
Van Vechten, Jeremiah. . 41 Whish, Mrs. John D 217
Ward, J. Q. A 161 Whitman, Gov. Charles S.
Ward, Dr. Samuel B .... 72 128, 166
Washington, General. . . . 108 Whitman, Olive 160
Webster, Daniel 109 ■ Willett, Col. Marinus. 2^, 213
Weed, Thurlow 15 Wilson, Stuart 38
Weise, A. J 209 Winnie, William B 147
Wheeler, Seth 139 Woods, Eugene D 54
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Danforth E. Ainsworth — Lincoln books and
relics of Lincoln.
Mrs. Robert L. Banks — Stamps.
Ledyard Cogswell, Jr. — Old prints of Albany.
George A. Davidson — Albany directories.
J. Townsend Lansing — paintings (land-
scapes).
James H. Manning — Old prints, coins, auto-
graphs, medals, Zuni pottery, photographs of
celebrities, rare fin-niture.
]\Iasonic Temple — Rare books, medals and
curios interesting to the craft.
G. Douglass Miller — Antiquities.
Samuel L. Munson — Old almanacs.
Robert C.. Pruyn — Japanese ivories. (One of
the finest collections in existence ; over 800 pieces
representing all the great artists ; collected by
Robert H. Pruyn while resident at Tokio as
Minister to Japan, 1862-64.)
222 Albany Guide Book
Dean Sage — Books on angling (finest collec-
tion in xA.merica).
Henry M. Sage — i\utographs, prints, antique
furniture.
George H. Thacher — Monumental extended
copy of Phelps " Players of a Century " super
illustrated, covering the whole field of the drama
in the United States for a hundred years.
Mrs. John Boyd Thacher — Autographs of the
signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Beautiful and very valuable specimens of his-
toric and family china are possessed by Mrs. A.
B. Banks, Mrs. Edward Bowditch, Mrs. Cath-
arine Gansevort Lansing, Mr. A. J. Parker, Jr.,
Miss Cornelia Kane Rathbun, Mrs. AV. Bayard
Van Rensselaer, and others. These collections
are not open to inspection as a rule but may be
seen if proper steps are taken. There also is much
in the way of fine old silver, glass, furniture,
books, prints, ivories, and many valuable paint-
ings. A commendable custom has grown up
among the possessors of such treasures to place
them in the custody of the Historical and Art
society where they are safe from fire and theft
and may be enjoyed by the thousands who an-
nually visit this notable institution.
Albany Guide Book 223
In St. Peter's church there is a magnificent old
silver communion service* dated 1712, the gift of
Queen Anne. The First Reformed church has a
pulpit, hour glass and bible (date 1730) that were
brought from Holland.
* This service consists of six massive pieces, each
bearing the royal arms and the inscription " The Gift
of Her Majesty Ann, by the Grace of God, of Great
Britain, France and Ireland and of Her Plantations, in
North America, Queen, to Her Indian Chappel of the
Onondawgus."
No such chapel was erected, and the plate was given
into the custody of St. Peter's church, which was the
chapel for all the Indians of the Province except the
Mohawks, where it remained.
224 Albany Guide Book
THACHER PARK
A notably picturesque and historic tract of
about 350 acres located in the famous Helderberg
mountains about ten miles from Albany com-
memorates the name of John Boyd Thacher, an
eminent citizen and writer who died February
25, 1909. The memorial park is located in the
towns of Guilderland and New Scotland. It was
given to the State on March 4, 1914, by Mrs.
Emma Treadwell Thacher, his widow, and was
dedicated on September 14 with memorable exer-
cises including- an historical pageant illustrating
Indian customs of the locality and the coming
of the white settlers, arranged by State Archae-
ologist Albert C. Parker. Governor Martin H.
Glynn, Dr. George F. Kunz (president of the
American Scenic and Historic Preservation
Society), Dr. John H. Finley (commissioner of
State education) and Dr. James M. Clarke (State
geologist) delivered addresses. Mr. Thacher
bought the land to prevent the destruction of the
historic limestone fossiliferous cliffs which con-
tain the famous " Indian Ladder " section of the
Helderbergs and several noted caves, besides a
number of waterfalls and many bits of beautiful
w^ooded scenery.
-- INOE.X —
« Store E<3ucation Buildtn6
2 ElW's Club ^
3 Cit-c Hall
■* nrsHurhRran Church
5 Knights of Coiumbos
6 Tentyok Hotel
7 Terr trek Annex.
e The Hampton Hotel.
9 Hotel Henmore.
w Hotel Stanu>ix.
11 Weeler'3 Hotel.
12 The kVellindton Hotel
13 Hotel Albany.
I* Directory Hotel.
15 Borthtuick Hotel.
16 Hotel vfendome
17 Capitol.
18 ArmorY-
ijR.R. Stottoo,
20 Recreation Pier.
21 Fort OranAe Club.
22 University Club.
23 Albany Club.
24 Chombcrof Commerce
25 CountyCourtHouse,
26 Court of Appeals.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
014 222 424 (^
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Open Library
