Altamont in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Altamont Fairgrounds
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Recinto Ferial de Altamont
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Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, September 1, 2025
1. Altamont Fairgrounds / Recinto Ferial de Altamont Marker
Altamont Fairgrounds
The Albany Agricultural Society sponsored the first fair in Albany County in 1819. For the next 70 years fairs were held in Albany and in the surrounding towns and villages. In August 1892, local businessmen advocated locating the Albany County Fair in Altamont, a fitting recognition of the rich agricultural heritage of the area. The Altamont Driving Park and Fair Association, as it was first known, was incorporated on May 20, 1893. During the next four months, countless meetings were held, land was acquired, a race track was laid out and buildings were built. On September 12, 1893, the first Altamont Fair opened. Schenectady County (1921) and Greene County (1945) joined Albany County in sponsoring the Fair, creating the only tri-county fair in New York State.
La Sociedad Agraria de Albany patrocinó la primera feria en el Condado de Albany en 1819. Por los próximos 70 años, se efectuaron ferias en Albany y sus alrededores. En agosto de 1892, empresarios locales promovieron por instalar la Feria de Albany en Altamont, reconociendo el rico patrimonio agrario de
this page online
(Marker Number 23.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets: Altamont, New York series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 20, 1893.
Location. 42° 41.936′ N, 74° 1.617′ W. Marker is in Altamont, New York, in Albany County. It is on Grand Street 0.2 miles east of Fairview Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Altamont NY 12009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, in the Capital
Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, September 1, 2025
2. Altamont Fairgrounds / Recinto Ferial de Altamont Marker with View into Fairgrounds
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dedicated (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Altamont High School (about 600 feet away); Altamont High School / Instituto Altamont (about 700 feet away); St. Lucy/St. Bernadette Catholic Church / Iglesia Católica St. Lucy/St. Bernadette (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hayes House / Casa Hayes (approx. 0.2 miles away); William ‘Bill’ Donato (approx. 0.2 miles away); Family Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Welcome to Altamont / Altamont (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Altamont.
Also see . . .
1. The Altamont Fair History. Provides information on the founding of the Fair and a chronology of changes to the Fair and the Fairgrounds, including the 1971 donation of the Hayes House to the Fair. The site also provides a map of the Fairgrounds.
An example of one of the chronological entries:(Submitted on November 11, 2025, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York.)
June 10 [1893] "The Board of Directors approved the purchase [of] 24.5 acres of land in Altamont. The land was originally owned by George Severson and is now held in trust by Isaac Reamer to be known as the "Altamont Fair Grounds." This site is still part of the fairgrounds today."
2. Map of the Altamont Fairgrounds. (Submitted on November 22, 2025, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2025, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2025, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
