We’re all well aware, because angry people on the teevee tell us so, that it’s absolutely outrageous that anyone who can’t afford it should be getting medical treatment. Well, apparently they thought so a century ago, too because . . . oh, wait, Albany was actually awash in free medical care for the poor…

From 1884, the “Albany Hand-book” described the current state of the Fire Department, which was established in its then-current form in 1867, overseen by the Mayor and five commissioners appointed by the Common Council. The head was called the Chief Engineer, who “has sole command at fires, makes daily examination of the affairs and…

From 1884, a note on sparrows. While not considered quite as evil as the cottonwood tree, I’d venture to say they have not grown in appreciation in the past century and thirty.

In 1888, Albany’s Horse Shoe Clothing House was advertising a deluge of bargains, perhaps “the grandest bargains ever known in this city.” They offered “enough kinds and sizes to fit all and disappoint no one; got up in graceful sacks and elegant stylish 3 or 4 button cutaways, any one of them worth $20…

Be assured, Albany’s Bicentennial Loan Exhibition of 1886 wasn’t all Native American relics. For instance, there were also Civil War relics! Rebel bullets, rebel flags, and cannon-balls, among hundreds of other odd souvenirs such as “Book, cut in twain by shell.” There was a large collection of “Oriental Ware” loaned by the American Art…

The catalog of the Bicentennial Loan Exhibition explained that the purpose of the Exhibition, held in the Albany Academy building in July of 1886, was to demonstrate the growth, development, and historic past of Albany, but it quickly allowed that “it includes any thing of interest in connection with the colonial or State governments…