Amsterdam in Montgomery County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Sanford Mansion

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 19, 2008

1. Sanford Mansion Marker - Amsterdam, New York

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Home of Stephen Sanford
Industrial Pioneer, Rugmaker
and Philanthropist c. 1860
Donated by John Sanford for
Amsterdam City Hall 1932

Erected by Heritage & Genealogical Society of Montgomery County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 42° 56.335′ N, 74° 11.319′ W. Marker is in Amsterdam, New York, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Church Street (New York State Route 67), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in front of Amsterdam City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amsterdam NY 12010, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Green Hill Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Mother Lake" (approx. ¼ mile away); Chuctanunda Terrace Site (approx. 0.3 miles away); Donato (Dan) Persico, Chief T/M (approx. half a mile away); 5th Ward War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Sweet Canal Store (approx.

Sanford Mansion Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 19, 2008

2. Sanford Mansion Marker

There is a concrete monument at the base of the marker which reads, "Time Capsule 2054".

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0.6 miles away); Kirk Douglas (approx. 0.7 miles away); Pvt. Frank J. Sirchia Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amsterdam.

Also see . . .
1. Stephen Sanford (Wikipedia). Short biography of Sanford. (Submitted on September 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Sanford and Sons Carpet Factory. The original factory site was destroyed in a 1849 fire. After the plant was rebuilt, it operated as part of "Sanford and Sons" into the 20th century. (Submitted on September 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

3. Stephen Sanford (Find a Grave). (Submitted on January 22, 2023, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Additional commentary.
1. Stephen Sanford
(May 26, 1826 - February 13, 1913) was the son of John Sanford (1803-1857) and father of John Sanford (1851-1939), a Representative in the United States Congress from New York, born in Mayfield, Fulton County, N.Y. He attended the common schools and local academy at Amsterdam, N.Y., Georgetown College, Washington, D.C., for two years, and the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. He was engaged in the carpet manufacturing business

Sanford Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 19, 2008

3. Sanford Mansion

The Sanford Mansion marker is to the left, in front of the columns.

from 1844 until his death. He was elected as Republican to the Forty-first Congress (March 4, 1869-March 3, 1871), declined to be a candidate for renomination, and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1876. He died in Amsterdam, N.Y., February 13, 1913, and is interred in the Green Hill Cemetery in Amsterdam, New York.

— Submitted September 26, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.

2. The Former Sanford Mansion
Stephen Sanford, Amsterdam's most influential industrialist, built a home on this location in circa 1866-9, opposite his carpet mills. Originally a Second Empire style house, Stephen's son John Sanford and John's wife enlarged and extensively remodeled the building in 1913 after Stephen's death, adding a third floor, a back wing and the impressive front portico with its Corinthians columns. As the Sanfords spent more and more time with international society in Florida and elsewhere, the family donated the building to the city in 1932 upon the death of John Sanford. As City Hall the building remains largely unchanged and retains numerous period details attesting to the wealth and taste of the Sanford family.

This imposing Classical Revival style building of Stone, Brick, Metal was designed by Albert W. Fuller (1854-1934) of Albany's

Amsterdam City Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 19, 2008

4. Amsterdam City Hall

The Sanford Mansion was donated to the City of Amsterdam in 1932 after the death of Stephen Sanford.

firm, Fuller and Wheeler. The building was listed in The National Register of Historic Places on February 5, 2001. In 2005 the 50,000-square-foot building had an appraised value of $412,000.

In 2005, the administration of Amsterdam Mayor Joseph Emanuele III raised the possibility of selling the building because it is an older building which requires increased maintenance that city officials appear hesitant to carry out. City officials reportedly would consider selling the building if the city could receive $5 million for it.

— Submitted September 26, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.

In Memory of Stephen Sanford image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, January 18, 2023

5. In Memory of Stephen Sanford

plaque next to the mayor's office
City Hall
In Memory
Of His Father
1826 1913
This Building was Given to The
City of Amsterdam
February Sixteenth, Nineteen Hundred and Thirty Two...

Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 2,105 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 20, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 5. submitted on January 21, 2023, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.