Tag: Capital District local history Albany Schenectady Troy

We have another minor commemorative tablet placed during Albany’s celebration of the bicentennial of its charter, in 1886 – this one for Franklin Street, which was a bit more of a complete street then than it is now. Although the building this marker was placed on is still there, which is pretty remarkable, the…

The 39th in our series of Albany Bicentennial tablets was one that simply provided the name and former name of Norton Street: Tablet No. 39—Norton StreetBronze tablet, 7×16 inches, north side of Beaver block. Inscription“ Norton Street, formerly Store Lane.” Despite the Bicentennial Committee’s intent to place this on the Beaver Block, The Argus…

Here’s another Albany Bicentennial marker that commemorated a street that today we barely know exists. The extent of the copy was always very limited, as described by the Bicentennial Committee back in 1886: Bronze tablet, 7×16 inches, north side of Government building. Inscription: “Exchange Street, formerly Mark Lane.” We’ve found no source that explains…

For the 37th Bicentennial tablet, it’s rather remarkable that it still exists – given that much of the street it commemorates was annihilated for the construction of the Empire State Plaza. Tablet No. 37—Eagle Street. Bronze tablet, 7×16 inches, on corner building State and Eagle streets. Inscription:“Eagle Street, formerly Duke Street.” In Albany’s earliest…

Here we are at number 36 in our series of tablets placed in honor of Albany’s charter bicentennial in 1886. Tablet No. 36—James Street. Bronze tablet, 7×16 inches, on Mechanics and Farmers’ Bank. Inscription“James Street, formerly Middle Lane.” Similar to Dean Street, we’re a little mystified as to why the Albany Bicentennial Committee chose…

The 35th tablet placed in honor of the bicentennial of Albany’s charter, in 1886, was another of the handful that simply commemorated a street: State Street. Unfortunately, this is another tablet that is long gone, but then again – we kinda know about State Street, tablet or not. Tablet No. 35—State StreetBronze tablet, 7×16…

The 34th in our series of Albany Bicentennial tablets is a bit of a mystery – and perhaps it was never installed at all. And if you’ve lived in Albany all your life and have still never heard of Dean Street, you’re probably not alone. It was never more than a stub – today you’d…

As we said last time, with these last several tablets commemorating Albany’s 1886 bicentennial, we’re down to honoring streets instead of people. This one was for Hamilton Street: Tablet No. 33—Hamilton Street.Bronze tablet, 7×16 inches, corner building at Hamilton and Pearl streets. Inscription: “Hamilton Street formerly Kilbey Lane.” We have some bad news about…

The last several tablets placed by the Albany Bi-centennial Committee in 1886 were simple commemorations of several streets – and not always major ones. Some still exist, but this one has disappeared. Tablet No. 32—Washington AvenueBronze tablet, 7×16 inches, placed on corner of Capitol building. Inscription: “Washington Avenue, formerly King, then Lion Street.” The…

The Albany Bicentennial Committee chose to honor Academy Park with a bicentennial plaque – interesting in that it is the only one that celebrates a public space (not counting particular streets that were commemorated, which we’ll get to). Washington Park didn’t get such a mention, and Lincoln Park didn’t exist yet. But news accounts…