Apparently, in 1964, opening your garage door by remote control was something akin to magic. That’s the only explanation why you’d want to find a creepy wand-waver in a tux […]

In 1917, George wanted to let Miss Blanche Barker of Turin, N.Y., know that he’d be spending his vacation in Albany Sunday. Hoxsie’s taking a little vacation, too. Back in […]

In 1978, ATM cards weren’t even called that yet. National Commercial Bank and Trust Co. was going by the moniker “The Bank,” and was one of the first banks to […]

This ad from the 1976 Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s program promotes a thirty-minute documentary about our community’s history produced by The Bank, as the National Commercial Bank and Trust Company […]

In 1872, when this ad ran in the Troy Times, the Button Engine Works was one of the best-known manufacturers of fire engines in the country. The works was founded […]

In 1933, the Delaware and Hudson Railroad (you may recognize its headquarters. Or its other headquarters) could carry you from New York to Montreal, overnight or during the day, in […]

In 1934, Ivanhoe Mayonnaise did something I don’t think I’ve ever seen another product do: it published its recipe, “in case you’d like to make it yourself.” The recipe is […]

Another reminder that yes, there was slavery in the Capital District. This handbill from 1809, part of the Albany Institute of History and Art collection, calls for the return of […]

Okay, this is not technically an historical marker; in fact, it’s a highway marker, from along River Road in Rexford. But still, it’s my favorite marker ever. Because totally unnecessary […]

When I was a child, I was often stuck in my great great aunt’s house on rainy summer afternoons with absolutely nothing to do but read the same two Mad […]