Every now and then we get on the topic of the Hawk Street Viaduct, the once graceful structure that connected Clinton Avenue to Elk across Sheridan Hollow. But I don’t believe we’ve ever before run across the idea that the viaduct should have had an elevator.
The Albany Evening Journal of April 11, 1914 reported on an Albany city cabinet meeting. (By the way, this was on the same page as a report that Serbian troops had ravaged “the helpless Mohammedan population of Albania” in the Balkan War.)
“In connection with the completion of Sheridan park, City Treasurer Walsh suggested that Landscape Architect Charles Downing Lay be directed to plan for a baseball diamond as well as a playground for the small children. Mr. Walsh also suggested that an elevator would be more convenient for pedestrians who want to reach the Hawk street viaduct from Sheridan avenue than the present steps. A complaint against soot and smoke from the state boiler house brought a statement that the state superintendent of public buildings is trying to improve the conditions.”
One hundred years later, Sheridan Park could still use some improving. Instead of making it easier for pedestrians to get up the ravine, the viaduct has been completely eliminated and most stairways up to Elk Street closed. And the state boiler house is still pumping away on Sheridan Avenue. And people say Albany doesn’t respect its history.