The Taaffe Brothers ran a turning and sawing establishment that, in 1869, was located on Canal Street, now known as Sheridan Avenue. “Turning” refers to turning wood by lathe, if you didn’t know, and in an age when every type of furniture demanded turned pieces, there must have been great demand for a shop that could turn out everything from newels and balusters to table stands and desk legs, not to mention baseball bats, ten pins and billiard balls. The Taaffe brothers were later to move to the corner of Colonie and Water Streets, right at the edge of the lumber district and the head of the old Erie Canal. The compendium The Empire State: Its Industries and Wealth described the operation in 1888:
Taaffe Brothers, Planing and Turning Mill, Corner Colonie and Water Streets.–A prominent and old established house, actively engaged int he production of sash, doors, blinds, mouldings, etc., is that of Messre. Taaffe Bros. This business was established thirty years ago by the present proprietors, Messrs. William and Timothy Taaffe. Their planing mill is a spacious two-story building 50 x 110 feet in dimensions, fully supplied with the latest improved wood-working machinery, tools and appliances known to the trade. Twenty experienced workmen are employed, and the machinery is driven by steam power. Messrs. Taaffe Bros. manufacture all kinds of interior finish for buildings, including flooring, siding, mouldings, fine cabinet and hard wood-work for banks and churches. They enjoy excellent facilities, and can always quote satisfactory prices in all branches of work, and have furnished their productions for many of the finest buildings erected in Albany and its vicinity. Messrs. Wm. and T. Taaffe were both born in Albany.
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