Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 117

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 117

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The completion of this means of river supply proved most successful, and gave an abundance of water to the people living east of Bleecker Reser- voir, but still the more elevated portions of the city received no benefit. Accordingly, in 1878, another reservoir, with a capacity of about 7, 000,000 gallons, was built on Prospect hill, a sand-knoll north of Central avenue and east of Colby street, 55 feet above tide. At Prospect-hill Reservoir, an engine capable of pumping 5,000,000 gallons of water in twenty-four hours was put in operation Feb- ruary 6, 1878, and through a 2-foot main, run- ning to a well-chamber like that on the pier, pumps the water from Bleecker to Prospect-hill Reservoir.

Albany is at present divided into three services of water supply: the upper service, which, from Prospect-hill Reservoir, supplies all west of Lark street; the middle service, which, from Bleecker Reservoir, supplies Lark street and all east to Pearl street; and the lower service, which, from Tivoli Lakes, supplies Pearl street and all territory east. With the completion of the system of securing river water, none of the old methods of supply were discarded, so that to-day Albany may be said to have an abundant supply of water as unfailing as the Hudson. Should the Tivoli Reservoir run short, water can be sent down the creek from Rensselaer Lake or direct from the Bleecker Reser- voir, into which the pumps at the river can send their 10,000,coo gallons daily. It is designed to hold a reserve always in Rensselaer Lake, in case an accident should occur to both engines at once, and to impound in each year, in the months of

515

STREET LIGHTING.

February and March, enough water to supply the city when the river is turbid with the spring fresh- ets. When at other times impurities appear in Rensselaer Lake, the supply from that source can be shut off entirely and only river water be used. Thus it is seen how complete is the system, and how difficult to cause a complete failure of the water supply.

Much discussion has been had in the daily newspapers concerning the wholesomeness and purity of the water drawn from the Hudson, and prejudice against its use exists in the minds of many citizens of Albany. But the Water Commis- sioners assert, on the authority of repeated analysis, made by expert chemists, together with nine years' daily use of the water without an epidemic, that the water is perfectly free from objectionable or un- healthy matter, and that no city in the United States has a better or purer supply of water than Albany.

Another feature in favor of the water-works has been the remarkable diminution in destructive fires since the adoption of the present system. Previous to 1850 Albany was scourged by several extensive fires, notably in 1848, when $2,000,000 worth of property was destroyed. The efficiency of the Fire Department, aided by an unfailing source of water, has prevented the repetition of such a catastrophe. In 1851 there were but 154 fire-hydrants, while at present there are over 500.

Since 1851, when there were but 29.8% miles of distributing and supply mains in the city, there are now over 80 miles of pipes. The original cost of the works from 1850 to 1857 was $850,000. The additional supply, including pumping works, res- ervoirs and mains, etc., $700,000; making an aggre- gate expense of $1,550,000. Of this sum, after meeting all the expenses of maintenance, the city has paid, up to May, 1884, $460,000, leaving a debt of $1,090, 000.

Water rents are collected the same as taxes, and are assessed upon all real estate fronting on streets through which the mains are laid.

By act of the Legislature of 1884, the Commis- sioners were authorized to expend $400,000. Another pumping engine has been purchased, and work is progressing to increase the water supply, with special reference to the southern part of the city.

The present Water Commissioners are Visscher Ten Eyck, Henry H. Martin, Michael Delehanty, Erastus Corning, John M. Kimball; Superintend- ent, George W. Carpenter.

STREET LIGHTING.

The early Dutch settlers in Albany were not ac- customed to much artificial light, nor did their simple habits of living require it. To the average industrious burgher the approach of darkness in summer was the signal for retiring, and at nine o'clock the thoroughfares were usually entirely deserted, with the exception, may be, of a belated traveler, or the few night watchmen. The longer evenings of winter, with little labor during the

day, were spent by the family before the blazing light of the big grate fires of this period; the hus- band, sons or friends enjoying the soothing pleas- ure of their pipes, while the industrious wife and daughters were engaged in spinning or knitting. Spending thus their winter evenings, the rooms of their dwellings were rarely illuminated by any light save that from the blazing logs.

Tallow candles, or tallow dips, were probably the only means used by the very earliest settlers, when a light that could be carried about the house was necessary; but even this mode of furnishing light was considered a luxury, and rarely used. Sperm and coal oil began to be used many years after the settlement of Albany. Contrivances for burning it were somewhat similar to those now used in burning kerosene. But the expense of either of these fluids made their use limited except by the very wealthy citizens, and, with the excep- tion of gas, candles remained the principal article for lighting dwellings until the introduction of ker- osene oil, about 1860. The cheapness and super- ior quality of this fluid, compared to others then in use, made it rapidy supersede candles and all other fluids used for producing light. In 1861 it came to be generally used all over the United States.

Coal gas was first practically used in Albany in 1845, and the present system of electric lights in 1881. This embraces all the different means, worthy of mention, used in Albany from the earliest to the present time.

Beyond the feeble light afforded by the lanterns of the night watchmen, the streets of Albany, from the earliest date to 1771, seem to have remained in natural darkness during the night, as at the latter date appears the first account in the city records of an appropriation of money for lighting the streets. In 1771 twenty lamps were used and 150 gallons of oil consumed.

In 1765, it was ordered by the Corporation, in case of any alarm, outcry, attack, riot or fire, that all citizens having houses facing on the street should set three or more lighted candles in the front win- dow, there to remain until daybreak, and refusal to do so subjected the offender to a fine of three shillings. Similar orders were issued at earlier dates, and were intended to better secure the safety of citizens and property, although in many cases it would seem to have been a most injudicious pro- ceeding.

It was not until 1793 that the subject of lighting the streets at night with lamps began to be agitated. Considerable discussion in the newspapers took place during this year.

In 1795, the number of lamps used seems to have been much increased; for, in November of that year, the Albany Gazette said:

" The lighting of the city begins to assume a regular and pleasing appearance, and if the Com- mon Council would permit to be lighted at the public expense the lamps which our private citizens shall erect, on their paying into the public treas- ury money sufficient for the oil, our city in this re- spect would soon vie with the other principal cities and towns in the United States."

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

That the number of lamps rapidly increased from the year 1795 is evident, from the fact that during that year 257 gallons of oil were used; while in 1796 it amounted to 344 gallons; in 1797 to 698 gallons; and in 1801 to 1, 187 gallons.

In 1800, the lamp district embraced the city limits one-half mile westward of the Hudson River. This territory was gradually increased as the city extended in area. In 1810, the expense of street lamps amounted to about $3,000, and in 1828 the number of lamps had increased to 586.

The burning of gas made from coal, for the pur- pose of illumination, was successfully exhibited in Albany in 1817 by Henry Trowbridge, the proprie- tor of a museum. One hundred and twenty burn- ers were used, and many people visited the place to see the new light. Up to this date gas had been practically introduced in but one city in the world-London, in 1813. It was next introduced in Paris, in 1820, and in New York in 1825.

The idea of illuminating the streets and dwell- ings of Albany by gas was attempted to be carried out as early as 1825, when a company was incor- porated, but through lack of substantial encourage- ment, and needed capital, nothing was done. In 1833, another company was incorporated, which also failed to accomplish anything of a practical nature.

March 27, 1841, the Albany Gaslight Company was incorporated, composed of Thomas W. Olcott, James Stevenson, Henry L. Webb and Joel Rath- bone. The capital stock, limited to $100,000, was not subscribed until November 13, 1844. During this year the site of the present works, cor- ner of Arch and Grand streets, was purchased and the erection of the necessary buildings commenced. In 1845 the works, costing nearly $150,000, and capable of producing 50,000 cubic feet of gas daily, were completed, and mains to the extent of about four miles laid through many of the principal streets; gas being supplied to consumers for the first time November 25th, and the streets lighted for the first time November 10th of that year.

So satisfactory to the Corporation was this means of street light, that in 1845 a contract was made by the company with the city to light the streets with gas for ten years. Similar contracts, covering an uninterrupted period of gas supply from 1845 to 1883, were made at different times for lighting the streets. At the latter date the present electric light was substituted. In 1846 this company had 136 consumers and supplied 90 street lamps.

The capital has been increased by Legislative enactment twice, and now amounts to $250,000, while improvements have been made upon the works to such an extent, that at the present they are valued at the sum of $1, 250,000 and are cap- able of manufacturing 100,000,000 cubic feet of gas yearly, for which are consumed 10,000 tons of coal. The territory supplied with gas by this com- pany includes that part of the city south of Steuben, Canal and Eagle streets and Central avenue. In this area 48 miles of pipe are laid, supplying over 7,500 gas consumers, and for a number of years previous to 1883, about 1, 200 street lamps.

The first President of the Company was Henry L. Webb, and first Superintendent, Joseph Battin. The present officers are H. H. Martin, President; A. Van Allen, Vice-President; S. W. Whitney, Secretary and Treasurer; Isaac Battin, Superin- tendent.

For a number of years preceding 1872, a spirit of opposition was engendered against the Albany Gaslight Company, which had practically a mo- nopoly of the gas business of the city. This re- sulted, in 1872, in the formation of a company called the People's Gaslight Company, which was incorporated with a capital of $1,000,000, although but $700,000 were ever paid in. Large and expensive works were soon erected on the Troy road, near North Albany. All rivalry between the two companies was in a short time settled by compromise, and the city mutually di- vided between them; the People's Gaslight Com- pany receiving the territory north of Steuben and Canal streets, above Eagle street and Central ave- nue. But either mismanagement, or that the share of business which fell to the new company gave inadequate returns on the large capital invested, caused the investment to fail to pay, and in 1879 the property was sold under foreclosure of mort- gage, and purchased by George A. Wolverton and George L. Steadman, the mortgagees, subject to a bonded debt of $350,000. The new purchasers soon reorganized a new company, which was in- corporated January 31, 1880, with a capital of $500,000, under the corporate title of the People's Gaslight Company, assuming the old works, with its bonded indebtedness. This company has 22 miles of pipe, with facilities for producing 200,000 cubic feet of gas per day. The present officers are George A. Wolverton, President ; George L. Steadman, Vice-President; H. Q. Hawley, Treas- urer and Secretary; William F. Wright, Superin- tendent.

Electricity, as a means of producing light, has, during late years, reached a remarkable degree of perfection, and has been extensively adopted in all the larger cities of the country. In the Munici- pality of Albany this is particularly true. In most all cases where this light is used in this city, the electric current is produced by the Albany Electric Illuminating Company, organized in April, 1881. The works of the company are situated at 71 Trinity place. Here five large engines, aggregat- ing 650 horse-power, are used to supply the neces- sary power to produce the electric current. The streets of Albany are all lighted by electricity, the Corporation having entered into a contract with this company to light the streets for five years from June 21, 1881. Four hundred and seventy-three street lamps are now in use, which are burned on an average ten and a half hours nightly. Besides these, about two hundred lights are used by private parties. These lamps are reached through eight circuits and nearly ninety miles of wire. A system of storage batteries is also in use in connection with the Swan incandescent light. These batteries supply from five to forty lights according to capacity, for four hours each. The officers of this company are

PUBLIC PARKS.

517

W. F. Hurcomb, President; Walter Dickson, Vice- President; J. Irving Wendell, Treasurer; Edward A. Maher, Secretary and General Manager.

The Edison light system is used by several firms in Albany, which employ their own motive power. The electric light used in the State Capitol is an independent system, and is produced by the neces- sary machinery in the building.

PUBLIC PARKS.

The beautiful portion of ground in this city known as Washington Park, is of modern origin, though a portion of it has been public property since it was transferred to the city in 1686 by the gift of His Majesty James II, being included in the famous Dongan Charter. In 1802 the ground

AVENUE

AVE

KNOX

CORTLAND

STATE

STREET

WESTERN

STREET

AVE.

LANCASTER

HUOSON

WILLET

MADISON

AVENUE

LEXINGTON

YATES

. ALBANY. N.Y.

STREET

I. Swing.

4. Rustic Shelter

7. Fountain Shelter.

10. Deer Paddock Outlook. 13. Lake.

2. Croquet Lawn.

5. Meadow.

8. Terrace.

II. Lake House.

14. Foot Bridge.

3. Armsby Memorial.

6. Refectory.

9. Deer Paddock.

12. Site of proposed King Fountain.

15. Overlook Hill.

was set apart for the purposes of a powder-house, and October 6, 1806, the ground between what is now Madison avenue and State street, and Willett and Knox streets, was dedicated as the Middle Public square. Three years later the fancy for changing the names of streets became almost an epidemic in Albany, and extended to this square, which was rechristened Washington Square. It has since been known as Washington Square, Wash- ington Parade Ground, and Washington Park. The ground adjoining this section on the west was made a public burial place in 1800, and was used as such for more than half a century.

The project of a public park, on an extended scale, was not accomplished in Albany without much discussion and opposition. The newspapers for years discussed the theme, while many of the leading progressive men of the city made fruitless attempts with repeated petitions to the Common Council, setting forth the benefits of such a public enterprise. But in 1869, the friends of the scheme secured the passage of the State law under which the present attractive park was established.

This act created a Board of Park Commission- ers under whose charge the Park was constructed and is maintained. It was passed May 5, 1869, and

set apart what was then known as the Burial Ground property, before designated, the old Wash- ington Parade Ground, the Penitentiary Grounds, and the Alms-house Farm. By subsequent acts the powers of the Board were extended over the approaches to the Park, making it possible to insti- tute the present system of boulevards.

The first meeting of the Commissioners was held May 8th following, the Board consisting of John Bridgford, Arthur Bott, George Dawson, Dudley Olcott, William Cassidy, John Fair, Rufus W. Peckham, Jr., Samuel H. Ransom, and John H. Van Antwerp. Mr. Van Antwerp was made Pres- ident, Mr. Olcott, Treasurer, and William D. Mo- range, Secretary. These trustees were divided into three classes: three to serve three years, three to serve six years, and three to serve nine years. Their successors are appointed by the Mayor, and serve nine years.

The plans adopted by the Board were prepared by Messrs. Bogart & Cuyler. The grounds em- braced by these plans were included in that por- tion of the present Park bounded by Willett street on the east, Madison avenue on the south, State street on the north, Robin street on the west for a distance of about 632 feet, thence running west a

LAKE

REC

WASHINGTON PARK

SPRING

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

distance of about 132 feet. The development of the plans from 1869 to 1872 were under the super- vision of R. H. Bingham as Chief Engineer, and William S. Egerton as assistant. Since 1872, Mr. Egerton has had charge of the designs and super- intendence.

In July, 1870, work was begun, and during this year the Washington Parade Ground was nearly completed, having been fenced, graded, drained, and the walks and drive-ways also laid out and graveled.

In 1871, its monuments and tenants having been removed to the Rural and other cemeteries, the old burial ground was laid out and thrown open as a part of this Park. In 1873 the development of the plans was mostly confined to that portion of the lake sections lying between Lexington avenue and Robin street. In 1874, the work of construction was confined to that portion of the Park bounded, in part, by Madison avenue and extending to Lake avenue and Robin street, embracing an area of some fifteen acres.

In 1880, what is known as the Knox street prop- erty, north of Madison avenue, comprising nine acres, was purchased, its buildings removed, and. improvements made.

In 1882, more land lying on Madison and Lake avenues was added to the Park and improvements begun. The gardener's cottage, propagating-houses and storage-houses were built in 1883 upon a por- tion of the Alms-house Grounds, near the Lexing- ton avenue entrance to the Park. They continue in charge of the faithful gardener, Michael Fink.

Western avenue, under the control of the Com- missioners, extends from near the northwest corner of the Park to the toll-gate. It is 8, 200 feet in length, 99 feet wide, and paved to a width of 40 feet with granite block, curbed and sewered. The sidewalks, 29₺ feet, are flagged to a width of six feet, bordered with grass, and shaded by trees 40 feet apart. In sleighing-time, this avenue is the favorite resort of owners of horses, and presents a lively appearance. The improvement on this avenue was begun No- vember 16, 1876, and completed in the following year.

The Northern Boulevard extends from Western avenue, east of the toll-gate, to the intersection of Central and Clinton avenues, a distance of 5,525 feet. It ranges from 150 to 66 feet in width. It is paved with a combination of the Telford and Macadam systems, and is greatly admired by pleas- ure drivers. This road was completed in 1878. It is intended to carry it on by Dudley Observatory, to connect the fine drives beyond Tivoli Hollow on the Rensselaer avenue and Loudonville and Shaker roads.

The area of the Park is nearly eighty-two acres. It contains three miles of the best possible drive- ways and six miles of walks. Park lake is 1, 600 feet long; average width, 136 feet; area, 5 acres. It is well supplied with boats for summer, and the ice is kept cleared of snow in winter for the throngs of lively skaters who frequent it on pleasant even- ings. Music from our best band musicians, from the lake-house, adds its charms on many an evening

in summer. The drives and walks are frequented by all classes. It is the gymnasium and breathing place of the city.

The special features of the Park, aside from its charming landscape, with hills, dales, lake and lawn tastefully laid out, are its noble elms and other trees, many of which were there many years before the Park was located. Works of art, it is hoped, will ere long adorn the grounds. The late Henry L. King bequeathed $20,000 for the erec- tion of a fountain, yet to be seen. The statue of Ceres is well enough, but the Armsby memorial bust is bad apology for neglecting one of our noblest citizens, Dr. James H. Armsby.

The Park lies west of the Capitol about one mile, and on an elevation about two hundred feet above the Hudson. It is surrounded more and more every year by handsome residences, owned and oc- cupied by some of Albany's best citizens.

The total cost of Washington Park, including the Northern boulevard, city parks improved and maintained since 1881, and all lands bought by the Commissioners for construction, maintenance, etc., to January 1, 1885, is $1,366,878.89. The real estate and construction of Washington Park and Western avenue cost $1,073, 020.91.

Academy Park, in front of Albany Academy, is a delightful spot, consisting of about two acres of sloping ground, adorned with majestic shade trees. It was placed in the hands of the Park Commission- ers in 1881, and improved at a cost of $4,306 the following year.

Townsend Park is located at the intersection of Washington and Central avenues. It was first in- closed with a fence in 1833, and was named in honor of Hon. John Townsend, a most worthy man, formerly Mayor of the city. Area, 20,700 square feet.

Bleecker Park is a small triangular inclosure in front of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Concep- tion. It was inclosed by an iron fence in 1835,. the city appropriating $1,000, the remainder be- ing raised by subscriptions. It contains the first public fountain erected in Albany, the gift of William Fleming, dedicated in July, 1863. Area 16, 275 square feet.

Clinton Park, named in honor of De Witt Clin- ton, is located on North Pearl, near Clinton avenue. Area, 16,415 square feet. Its cross-walk is more convenient than ornamental.

Delaware square, east of Lark street and ad- jacent to Penitentiary Grounds, has an area of 64,000 square feet. It has no inclosure or other improvements.

Capitol Park embraced the well-trodden and shaded ground in front of what was the Old Capitol. It is included in the ground in front of the New Capitol and contains 99,000 square feet.

Hudson avenue Park, is a small plot of shaded and path-traversed land on Hudson avenue, near Broadway, with an area of 10, 851 square feet.

Beverwyck Park, located between Washington avenue, Ontario and Partridge streets, contains about five acres.

519

STREET RAILWAYS .- FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Van Rensselaer Park, west of Ten Broeck, north of Second street, has an area of 42,400 square feet.

St. Joseph's Park, West of Ten Broeck, north of First street, near St. Joseph's Church, has an area of 42, 900 square feet.

The total area of the small parks of the city is about fourteen acres. They are all, with the ex- ception of Capitol Park, under the control of the Park Commissioners. The present Park Commis- sioners are Erastus Corning, R. Lenox Banks, John G. Farnsworth, John H. Van Antwerp, Dudley Olcott. Robert C. Bruyn, Grange Sard, Charles J. Buchanan and John H. Farrell. Dudley Olcott is President, and W. S. Egerton, Secretary, Engineer and Surveyor.

STREET RAILWAYS.

The Albany horse-railway system is operated and controlled by two companies: The Broadway and the Lumber District roads by the Watervliet Turnpike and Railroad Company, and all the remaining lines by the Albany Railway Company.

The Watervliet Turnpike and Railroad Company was incorporated April 15, 1862, with a capital of $240,000. All the rights and privileges at this time possessed by the Watervliet Turnpike Com- pany were purchased by the railroad company.

Work on the proposed route from South Ferry, by way of Broadway to the Lumber District, was commenced soon after the incorporation of the com- pany, and completed in the following year. The first car was run over this route-the first horse-car railway in Albany-June 22, 1863. In 1864 this road was extended to the Albany Cemetery, and in 1865 to Green Island.

This company has at present 74 miles of double track, extending from South Ferry to Green Island, and one mile of single track, from Broadway to the Lumber District. Twenty-seven cars are used, necessitating the use of one hundred and fifty horses and about seventy-five employees, embracing con- ductors, drivers and trackmen.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 117

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452