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The Markers Speak: Loudon’s Ford
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If it weren’t for this historical marker, we might have completely forgotten about Loudon’s Ford, which is on the Mohawk River just a bit above Cohoes Falls. The sign is for “Loudon’s Ford / British and Continental / army ford protected / August – September 1777 / by Generals Enoch Poor / and Benedict…
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First Plastic — but not here
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I always used to love seeing this historical marker for “First Plastic,” way out on Albany’s Delaware Avenue. At the time there was a Friendly’s on the site of the old billiard ball factory, which I still vaguely remembered from before it was torn down in the ’80s. Then I finally went to take…
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The Markers Speak: Maalwyck
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From the village of Scotia comes this historical marker for the house called Maalwyck: “This house built ca. 1712 / by Karel Hansen Toll, who / settled here 1685. Broom / farm became an outpost of / Mohawk Valley Turnpike.” Maalwyck was always said to be Dutch for “whirlpool,” describing a condition in the…
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The Markers Speak: Aqueduct
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When the Erie Canal was originally constructed, it didn’t use any of the existing rivers – natural waterways didn’t work well with the need for predictable water levels and mule paths for hauling barges. But the layout of the canal required crossing rivers, and so there were aqueducts. One of them was at a…
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Dr. Edith Boldebuck
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One of the newer historical markers in the area, and one you’re unlikely to see unless you work at the GE R&D center in Niskayuna or use the bike path that runs just outside of it, is this marker in honor of Edith M. Boldebuck: “A leading GE patent holder, played a key role…
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The markers speak week!
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Having grown up in Schenectady and Scotia, I’ve always had an incredible fondness for the New York State historical markers that dot our landscape. In just a few words, they remind us that something came before us, and that the history of this area is significant. One of my favorite books when I was…
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Peter Coddle’s Trip to New York
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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 magazines, engage my aunt and my great grandmother in a game of Carrom, or break out “The Game of Peter Coddle’s Trip to New…
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Wreckage of a home
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Again from the Robert N. Dennis Collection, a stereoscopic view titled “Wreckage of a Multistory Home, Albany County.” This is one of the rare views where the photographer is clearly identified: John H. New of 29 & 31 Remsen Street in Cohoes. New plied the photographic trade (and apparently sold sewing machines on the…
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