Schenectady’s Nonagenarian Industry

You just don’t get to use the term “nonagenarian” often enough. But in 1938, Schenectady’s Chamber of Commerce set aside a special day for celebration of the 90th anniversary of the locomotive industry in “The City That Lights and Hauls the World.”

On the afternoon of December 13, 1938, “before a large assemblage gathered in the finishing shop of the Alco plant, Mr. Lawrence G. Magner, President Schenectady Trust Company and President Schenectady Chamber of Commerce, presented to Mr. William C. Dickerman, President American Locomotive Company, a large, beautiful bronze plaque. . .  A Scotch setting, in honor of the founders, prevailed at the presentation. Miss Lorraine Ellen MacRae, attractively attired in kilts, unveiled the plaque, and Mr. James Copeland, also in Scotch attire, provided bagpipe music.

“In the evening over 500 Schenectadians and guests attended a dinner, the feature of the Celebration, at the Hotel Van Curler. This dinner was sponsored by the Schenectady Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Lawrence G. Magner, President of the Chamber, acted as Toastmaster. Honorable Oswald D. Heck, Speaker New York State Assembly, and Honorable Robert W. Baxter, Mayor of Schenectady, both paid tribute to the courageous Schenectady group of men who founded the locomotive industry in this City. Mrs. Charles A. Harrell, City Manager Schenectady, presented awards to the successful contestants in the model locomotive contest conducted in connection with the anniversary celebration . . . .

“Entertainment features were under the direction of Mr. John R. Sheehan, and included Miss Joyce Wishart, Scotch dancer, accompanied by Piper Robert Dixon; Miss Ruth Filburn, radio vocalist; and a double quartet from the Schubert Club composed of Messrs. Neil O. Sheldon, E.T. Grout, Walter Melber, H.B. Haig, J.A. Chapman, F.M. Alexander, W.K. Boyd, Jr., and E.W. Wiese. Dinner music was furnished by the Rice String Trio.”

I’d love to know if perchance that plaque is still anywhere on the former Alco site, though I’m almost certain that’s too much to hope for.

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