#WhereinAlbany - Madison Place

A few weeks ago, we snapped a photo of one of the beautiful houses on Madison Place, located adjacent to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception and opposite Bleeker Park in the Mansion Historic District of Albany.

These properties on Madison Place create quite a streetscape, with only one of the original buildings lost to demolition (number 4). Several of the houses have ornate gothic detailing which is quite uncommon in the city. The style of these buildings (#10-5) is thought to be inspired by the nearby Cathedral. The building further down the road (#1-3) were built a little later, during the 1870s.

The first in the gothic group of five (the #WhereinAlbany post to the right) was built in 1845, along with its neighbor in blue next door. The next few properties down were built a little later but are of the same style. This group of buildings notable features include “Tudor arches and tracery at entry; hood moulding (and) wrought iron railing” (see Cris inventory form here) . The form even mentions stained glass at entry.

Who Called it Home?
The house was occupied first by a Mrs. J. R Johnson until 1875 when the Aaron Mann family moved in. This family was associated with Mann, Waldman & Company, a dry goods firm located on South Pearl Street. Their neighbors included Theodore V. Van Heusen who was affiliated with a china shop located at 470 Broadway and occupied number 6. Number 8 was occupied by Mrs. Alexander Davidson, who owned the house from 1872 until her death, following which the house was converted into apartments. In the same year (1914) number 9 was also converted. A little further down the road number 5 was a multi-family home by 1895 whose tenants ‘seemed to be of the working class’.

We hope you enjoy playing #WhereinAlbany, and learning more about the city’s architecture and the stories of the people who called these places home. If you have a suggestion for a post, email us here.

Receipt from Mann, Waldman & Co.

Number 3 with it’s mansard roof, built a little late in 1872. note the difference in style

Other buildings in the row

All speak to a gothic style

a Photo of the building from the late 70s

#WhereinAlbany - 2 Ashgrove Place

This week’s #WhereinAlbany was the stunning 2 Ashgrove Place, located in the Mansion Historic District in the South End of Albany. This building has a rich and long history; it was originally built in 1839 by stonemason Alexander Gray and his son, before being enlarged in 1863. The unique circular belvedere that sits atop the Greek Revival building (and must have some incredible views) was also added during this time.

These changes were made by Samuel Schuyler (1811-1894), a prominent African American businessman and owner of the Schuyler Towboat Line (later renamed Samuel Schuyler & Company). Samuel was named after his father (1781-1842) the prosperous riverboat captain, whom it has been speculated was enslaved by the ‘white’ Schuyler family:

“Albany County manumission records report that a slave named Sam purchased his freedom in 1804 for $200 from Derek Schuyler. It is possible, but by no means certain, that Sam is the same man later referred to as Captain Samuel Schuyler”

(Exploring the History of the Black Hudson River Schuylers - Hudson River Maritime Museum)

The elder Samuel first appears in Albany records in 1809 as a “free person of color”, he worked his way up from the docks, eventually owning several sloops and running a very successful riverboat business. The company continued to expand by way of trading in grain and coal, and investing in real estate and railroading. He was buried at Albany Rural Cemetary, his memorial “engraved with three chain links” in recognition of his career.

Samuel (the younger) and his brother Thomas continued to grow the company after their father’s passing, modernizing with steamboats, owning several blocks of Albany’s South End, and being recognized for their philanthropic work. Samuel was not only the president of the company but also held positions as president of the First National Bank and Director in the Commerce Insurance Company.

When Samuel died, 2 Ashgrove Place became a medical dispensary (which also at one point became an open-air school for tuberculosis. It is now a private condominium, but we’d love to take a peek inside the belvedere one day and take in the view.

Want to know more?
> Friends of Albany History ‘Samuel Schuyler – Afro-American Riverboat Captain’
> Hudson River Maritime Museum Exploring the History of the Black Hudson River Schuylers

Where in Albany - 344 State Street

This week’s #WhereinAlbany was guessed correctly by many of you, so well done!

It was indeed 344 State Street. Both 344 and it’s twin 342 were built by James Eaton. Eaton was superintendent of construction of the Capitol building who had years of experience in masonry and architecture. Eaton also built properties on First Street and Elm Street.

344 was built in 1876, and - as it typical of Eatons’s style- is eclectic; the lintels are Queen Anne, the entry doors are Italianate, and the columns for the portico are Egyption in style.

#WhereinAlbany - 282 Lark Street

This week’s #WhereinAlbany was three sister buildings on Lark Street by Hamilton. You might recognize them from the distinct, eclectic wood window hoods. The modified Italianate buildings are three stories (including the basement) and were built in 1869.

From the inventory sheet on Criss:

“One of 3 rowhouses built in 1869 for Ezra L. Pasco. Pasco was a merchant listed in city directories as selling a variety of items including stoves (1857); boots and shoes (1865) and fancy goods (1866). he lived at 148 Washington Avenue until 1871 when he moved to 320 Hudson Avenue.

In the 1890s this house was owned by Max Schnurr, one of several Schnurr’s to own meat markets in Albany. His market was at 89 Beaver Street” (now Amo La Bella!)

Well done to everyone who guessed correctly!