Real estate, radon level, radon reductionhouse, buying a house, buying a home | ||
Services and Information at STOCKSIWORLD.COM, Stock MarketLooking information about online stock trading, stock market or stock investing? Here you can find any information you want. | ||
Services and Information at BASEBALLIWORLD.COM, Baseball GlovesFind the best price for the favorite baseball equipment that includes baseball bat and baseball gloves. Let us help you in finding the best price. | ||
|
| City of Troy, New York | |
|
|
|
| Nickname: "The Collar City" | |
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Rensselaer |
| Founded | 1791 |
| Incorporated | 1816 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Harry Tutunjian |
| Area | |
| - City | 11.0 sq mi (28.5 km²) |
| - Land | 10.4 sq mi (27.0 km²) |
| - Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²) |
| Elevation | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Population (2006) | |
| - City | 47,952 |
| - Density | 4,721.8/sq mi (1,823.1/km²) |
| - Metro | 850,957 |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 12179-12182 |
| Area code(s) | 518 |
| FIPS code | 36-75484 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0967902 |
| Website: http://www.troyny.gov/ | |
Troy is a city in New York, U.S., and the county seat of Rensselaer County. As of the 2006 census, the population was 47,952; in 1910, the population was 76,813. The city\'s motto is Ilium fuit, Troja est, which means "Troy was, Troy is."
Troy is located on the western edge of the county and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy is home to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Russell Sage College, Hudson Valley Community College and the Emma Willard School, and was the hometown of Uncle Sam.
Contents |
The site of the city was a part of the Van Rensselaer grant of 1629. Dirck Van der Heyden was one of the first settlers. A local legend that a Dutch girl had been kidnapped by an Indian male who did not want her to marry someone else gained some credence when two skeletons were found in a cave under Poestenkill Falls in the 1950\'s. One skeleton was female and Caucasian with an iron ring. The other was Native-American and male. In 1707, he purchased a farm of 65 acres (26 hectares) which in 1787 was laid out as a village.
The name Troy (after the legendary city of Troy, made famous in Homer\'s Iliad) was adopted in 1789, and the region was formed into the "Town of Troy" in 1791 from part of the Rensselaerwyck Manor. Troy became a village in 1801 and was chartered as a city in 1816.
In the post-Revolutionary War years, as central New York was first settled, there was a strong trend to classical names, and Troy\'s naming fits the same pattern as the New York cities of Syracuse, Rome, Utica, Ithaca, or the towns of Sempronius, Manlius, or dozens of other classically named towns to the west of Troy.
Northern and Western New York was a theater of the War of 1812, and militia and regular army forces were led by Stephen Van Rensselaer of Troy. Quartermaster supplies were shipped through Troy. A local butcher and meat-packer named Samuel Wilson supplied the military, and, according to an unprovable legend, barrels stamped "U.S." were jokingly taken by the troops to stand for "Uncle Sam" meaning Wilson. Troy has since claimed to be the historical home of Uncle Sam.
Through much of the 19th and into the early 20th century, Troy was not only one of the most prosperous cities in New York State, but one of the most prosperous cities in the entire country. Prior to its rise as an industrial center, Troy was the transshipment point for meat and vegetables from Vermont which were sent by the Hudson River to New York City. The Federal Dam at Troy is the head of the tide in the Hudson River and Hudson River sloops and steamboats plied the river on a regular basis. This trade was vastly increased after the construction of the Erie Canal, with its eastern terminus directly across the Hudson from Troy at Cohoes in 1825.
Troy\'s one-time great wealth was produced in the steel industry, with the first American Bessemer converter erected on the small Postenkill river in a small valley near the middle of the city. The industry first used charcoal and iron ore from the Adirondacks. Later on, ore and coal from the Midwest was shipped on the Erie Canal to Troy, and there processed before being sent on down the Hudson to New York City. The iron and steel was also used by the extensive federal arsenal across the Hudson at Watervliet, New York, then called West Troy. After the American Civil War, the steel production industry moved west to be closer to raw materials. The presence of iron and steel also made it possible for Troy to be an early site in the development of iron storefronts and steel structural supports in architecture, and there are some significant early examples still in the city.
The initial emphasis on heavier industry later spawned a wide variety of highly engineered mechanical and scientific equipment. Troy was the home of W. & L. E. Gurley, Co., makers of precision instruments. Gurley\'s theodolites were used to survey much of the American West after the Civil War and were highly regarded until laser and digital technology eclipsed the telescope and compass technology in the 1970\'s. Bells manufactured by Troy\'s Meneely Bell Company ring all over the world. And Troy was also home to a manufacturer of racing shells who used impregnated paper in a process that presaged the later use of fiberglass, Kevlar and carbon fiber composites.
This scientific and technical proficiency was supported by the presence of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, or RPI, one of the highest-ranked engineering schools in the country. RPI was originally sponsored by Stephen Van Rensselaer, one of the most prominent members of that family. RPI was founded in 1824, and eventually absorbed the campus of the short-lived, liberal arts Troy University, (which closed during the Civil War). Rensselaer founded RPI for the "application of science to the common purposes of life", and is the oldest technological university in the English-speaking world. [1] The institute is known for its success in the transfer of technology from the laboratory to the marketplace.
On December 23, 1823, The Troy Sentinel was the first publisher of the world-famous Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (also known as "The Night Before Christmas" or "Twas the Night Before Christmas"). The poem was published anonymously. Its author has long been believed to have been Clement Clarke Moore, but its author is now regarded by some to have been Henry Livingston, Jr.
Troy was an early home of professional baseball, and was the host of two major league teams. The first team to call Troy home was the Troy Haymakers, a National Association team in 1871 and 1872. One of their major players was Williams H. "Bill" Craver, a noted catcher and Civil War veteran, who also managed the team. Their last manager was Jimmy Wood, reckoned the first Canadian in professional baseball. The Troy Haymakers folded, and Troy had no team for seven seasons. Then, for four seasons, 1879 to 1882, Troy was home to the National League Troy Trojans. The Trojans were not competitive in the league, but they did have the biggest hitter in professional baseball, Dan Brouthers.[2] For the 1883 season, the Trojans were moved to New York City where they became the New York MetropolitansNew York Metropolitans and were the 1884 American Association Champions. The Mets were also owned by the then New York Gothams, better known as the Giants now. As a result classic Met players became Giants, including Hall of Fame Pitcher Tim Keefe. Troy was also the birthplace of the famous player Michael Joseph "King" Kelly.
Troy has been nearly destroyed by fire three times. The Great Troy fire of 1862 burnt the W. & L. E. Gurley, Co. factory, which was later that year replaced by the new W. & L. E. Gurley Building, now a National Historic Landmark.
In 1892, there were election riots there during which Robert Ross was murdered. One of his alleged slayers, "Bat" Shea, was executed in 1896.
In 1900 Troy annexed Lansingburgh, a former town and village in Rensselaer County. Lansingburgh is thus often referred to as "North Troy". However, prior to the annexation, that portion of Troy north of Division Street was called North Troy and the neighborhood south of Washington Park is referred to as South Troy. To avoid confusion with streets in Troy following the annexation, Lansingburgh\'s numbered streets were renamed: its 1st Street, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, etc., became North Troy\'s 101st Street, 102nd Street, 103rd Street, etc. Lansingburgh was home to the Lansingburgh Academy.
Illustration for Arrow Collar, 1907. J.C. Leyendecker.
In addition to the strong presence of the early American steel industry, Troy was also a manufacturing center for shirts, shirtwaists, collars and cuffs. In 1825, a local resident Hannah Lord Montague, was tired of cleaning her blacksmith husband\'s shirts. She cut off the collars of her husband\'s shirts, since only the collar was soiled, bound the edges and attached strings to hold them in place. (This also allowed the collars and cuffs to be starched separately.) Hannah Montague\'s idea caught on, and changed the fashion for American men\'s dress for a century. Her patented collars and cuffs were first manufactured by Maullin & Blanchard, which eventually was absorbed by Cluett, Peabody & Company. Cluett\'s "Arrow shirts" are still worn by men across the country.[3] The large labor force required by the shirt manufacturing industry also, in 1864, produced the nation\'s first female Labor Union, the Collar Laundry Union, founded in Troy by Kate Mullany. On February 23, 1864, 300 members of the union went on strike. After six days, the laundry owners gave in to their demands and raised wages 25 percent. There were further developments in the industry, when, in 1933, Sanford Cluett invented a process he called Sanforization, a process which shrinks cotton fabrics thoroughly and permanently. Cluett, Peabody\'s last main plant in Troy was closed in the 1980\'s, but the industrial output of the plant had long been transferred to facilities in the South.
One of the downtown landmarks of troy was Frear\'s Troy Cash Bazaar, also known as Frear\'s Department Store, which was one of the largest in the state.
When the iron & steel industry moved to Pennsylvania and beyond, and with a similar downturn in the collar industry, Troy\'s prosperity began to fade. After the passage of Prohibition, and given the strict control of Albany by the Connell political machine, Troy became a way station for an illegal alcohol trade from Canada to New York City. Likewise, the stricter control of morality laws in the neighboring New England states, left Troy with openly operating speakeasys and brothels. Gangsters such as Legs Diamond conducted business in Troy. This gave Troy a somewhat colorful reputation through World War II. A few of the finer houses have since been converted to fine restaurants, such as the former Old Daly Inn.
Troy waterfront circa 1909
The original Bruegger\'s Bagels shop still found in downtown Troy, New York.
Troy is located at Coordinates: US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31..
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.0 square miles (28.5 km²), of which, 10.4 square miles (27.0 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (5.44%) is water.
Troy is located several miles north of Albany near the juncture of the Erie and Champlain canals, via the Hudson River and is the terminus of the New York Barge Canal. It is the distributing center for a large area.Robert Breuer, Troy\'s RiverSpark Visitor Center. Retrieved 1 August 2007.
The city is south of Washington County and is situated in the center of surrounding countryside. On the east are the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, south is the valley of the Hudson, west the valley of the Mohawk, and on the north the Adirondack Mountains.
As of the censusAmerican FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. of 2000, there were 49,170 people, 19,996 households, and 10,737 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,721.8 people per square mile (1,823.7/km²). There were 23,093 housing units at an average density of 2,217.6/sq mi (856.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.22% White, 11.41% African American, 0.28% Native American, 3.49% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.20% from other races, and 2.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.33% of the population.
Downtown Troy from the Prospect ParkAccording the Census Bureau, the largest self-reported ethnic groups in Troy are: Irish (23%), Italian (13%), German (11%), French (8%), English (7%), and Polish (5%).
There were 19,996 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.6% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.3% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 17.6% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median household income was $29,844, and the median income for a family was $38,631. Males had a median income of $30,495 versus $25,724 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,796. About 14.3% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
Troy is home to many samples of Victorian architecture and iron work. The city has a large number of intact Tiffany stained-glass windows in original architectural settings. With much 19th century architecture, several major movies have filmed in Troy, including Ironweed, Age of Innocence, Scent of a Woman, The Bostonians, The Emperor’s Club, and The Time Machine. There are many buildings in a state of disrepair, but community groups and investors are restoring many of them.
Emma Willard School quad. Left to right: Slocum Hall, Sage Hall, Hyphen, Kellas Hall, Alumnae Chapel
As with many American cities, several city blocks in downtown Troy were razed during the 1970s as a part of an attempted urban renewal plan which was never successfully executed, leaving still vacant areas in the vicinity of Federal Street. Today, however, there have since been much more successful efforts to save the remaining historic downtown structures.
Part of this effort has been the arrival of the "Antique District" on River Street downtown. Cafes and art galleries are calling the area home. As home to many art, literature, and music lovers, the city hosts many free shows during the summer, on River Street, in parks, and in cafes and coffee shops. The Troy Farmer\'s Marketis a popular event since 2000 that occurs every Saturday on River Street during the summer, or in the Atrium of downtown Troy during the winter.
Many notable artists were born or grew up in Troy, including actress Maureen Stapleton and authors Alice Fulton, Don Rittner and Richard Selzer. Past notable residents include Herman Melville, Emma Willard, Russell Sage, and Jane Fonda. Several books by noted author Kurt Vonnegut are set in the fictional city of "Illium", which is modeled after Troy.
Troy has produced at least three Medal of Honor recipients, including Lt. Colonel William J. O\'Brien and Sergeant Thomas A. Baker, both from U.S. Army, 105th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division in World War II, and Specialist Fourth Class Peter C. Guenette from U.S. Army, Company D, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), in Vietnam.
The Executive Branch consists of Mayor Harry Tutunjian (R), who defeated Frank LaPosta (D) for the position in November 2003 and began his term January 2004. Tutunjian was re-elected to a second term on November 6, 2007 after defeating Jim Conroy (D).
The Joseph L. Bruno StadiumTroy\'s Legislative Branch consists of a City Council. The Council is comprised of nine elected members: three At-Large Representatives who represent the entire city, and six District Representatives who represent each of the six districts of Troy. Each council member serves a two-year term. The City Council At-Large Representative who receives the greatest number of votes in the election is designated the City Council President (currently Clem Campana). The Council meets on the first Thursday of every month at 7:00pm in City Hall, in the Council Chambers on the second floor. All meetings are open to the public, and include a public forum period held before official business where citizens can address the Council on all matters directly pertaining to city government.
The current Troy City Council took office on January 1, 2008, and will serve until December 31, 2009. The members are:
The previous council members (for the period of January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007) were:
Henry Bauer (R - At-Large; President), Carolin Collier (R - District 6; President Pro Tempore), Marge DerGurahian (I - At-Large), Clem Campana (D - At-Large), Mark Wojcik (R - District 1), Mark McGrath (R - District 2), Peter Ryan (D - District 3), Bill Dunne (D - District 4), and Robert Krogh (R - District 5).
The city is represented in the House of Representatives by Michael R. McNulty (D-NY).
Some famous and interesting portions of Troy include:
Painted concrete slabs spelling out the city\'s name placed on the western slope of Prospect Park.
| Capital District, New York | ||
|---|---|---|
| Central Communities | Albany • Schenectady • Troy | |
| Largest communities (over 20,000 in 2000) | Bethlehem • Clifton Park • Town of Colonie • Glenville • Guilderland • Niskayuna • Queensbury •Rotterdam • Saratoga Springs | |
| Medium-sized communities (10,000 to 20,000 in 2000) | City of Amsterdam • Brunswick • Cohoes • East Greenbush• Glens Falls • Gloversville • North Greenbush • Schodack • Watervliet | |
| Small communities (5,000 to 10,000 in 2000) | Town of Amsterdam • Ballston Spa • Cobleskill • Village of Colonie • Delmar • Duanesburg • City of Johnstown • Town of Johnstown • Kinderhook • Loudonville • Mechanicville • New Scotland • Rensselaer • Sand Lake • Scotia • Slingerlands • Town of Stillwater • Town of Waterford | |
| Counties | Albany • Saratoga • Rensselaer • Schenectady • Columbia • Washington • Montgomery • Warren • Greene • Schoharie | |
| Municipalities and communities of Rensselaer County, New York | ||
|---|---|---|
| County seat: Troy | ||
| Cities |
Rensselaer | Troy | |
| Towns |
Berlin | Brunswick | East Greenbush | Grafton | Hoosick | Nassau | North Greenbush | Petersburgh | Pittstown | Poestenkill | Sand Lake | Schaghticoke | Schodack | Stephentown | |
| Villages |
Castleton-on-Hudson (Castleton) | East Nassau | Hoosick Falls | Nassau | Schaghticoke | Valley Falls | |
| Hamlets and CDPs |
Averill Park | Cherry Plain | Cropseyville | Defreestville | East Schodack | Hampton Manor | Poestenkill | West Sand Lake | Wynantskill | |
| State of New York Albany (capital) | |
|---|---|
| Topics |
Administrative divisions · Congressional districts · Demographics · Economy · Education · Elections · Geography · Government · History · People · Politics · Transportation |
| Regions |
Adirondack Mountains · Allegheny Plateau · Capital District · Catskill Mountains · Central · Champlain Valley · City of New York · Finger Lakes · Holland Purchase · Hudson Highlands · Hudson Valley · Long Island · Mohawk Valley · New York Metro · North Country · Ridge and Valley · Saint Lawrence Seaway · Shawangunks · Ski country · Southern Tier · Thousand Islands · Upstate · Western |
| Metro areas |
Albany/Schenectady/Troy/Saratoga Springs · Binghamton · Buffalo/Niagara Falls · Elmira/Corning · Glens Falls · Ithaca · Jamestown · Newburgh/Middletown · New York City · Poughkeepsie · Rochester · Syracuse · Utica/Rome |
| Counties |
Albany · Allegany · Bronx · Broome · Cattaraugus · Cayuga · Chautauqua · Chemung · Chenango · Clinton · Columbia · Cortland · Delaware · Dutchess · Erie · Essex · Franklin · Fulton · Genesee · Greene · Hamilton · Herkimer · Jefferson · Kings (Brooklyn) · Lewis · Livingston · Madison · Monroe · Montgomery · Nassau · New York (Manhattan) · Niagara · Oneida · Onondaga · Ontario · Orange · Orleans · Oswego · Otsego · Putnam · Queens · Rensselaer · Richmond (Staten Island) · Rockland · Saint Lawrence · Saratoga · Schenectady · Schoharie · Schuyler · Seneca · Steuben · Suffolk · Sullivan · Tioga · Tompkins · Ulster · Warren · Washington · Wayne · Westchester · Wyoming · Yates |
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia