South End-Groesbeckville Historic District in Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
John A. Howe Public Library
105 Schuyler Street
| | South End-Groesbeckville Historic District | |
is listed in the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.
Location. 42° 38.479′ N, 73° 45.498′ W. Marker is in Albany, New York, in Albany County. It is in the South End-Groesbeckville Historic District. It is on Schuyler Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 Schuyler St, Albany NY 12202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York and in the Capital District. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Schuyler Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker
this page online
Also see . . . National Register Nomination Form for the South End-Groesbeckville Historic District.
The Howe Branch of the Albany Public Library Building is a contributing structure to the South End-Groesbeckville Historic District. This form was submitted by Larry E. Gobrecht of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on February 22, 1985. A statement of historical significance for the district begins on page 109:
The South End/Groesbeckville Historic District is a distinctive neighborhood characterized by modest vernacular rowhouses punctuated by the substantial commercial blocks of South Pearl Street and a scattering of architecturally distinguished church and publicbuildings. The 26 block district in the southeast corner of Albany is historically significant as a reflection of the city's nineteenth-century industrial expansion and population growth. Developed after 1820 as a residential and commercial center for the city's growing immigrant population, the district has been home to numerous ethnic groups but is particularly associated with the German community. Many of the district's working-class residents were employed in the adjacent industrial area along the Hudson River, while independent tradesmen set up shop along South Pearl Street. The district's 520 structures, mostly constructed between 1820 and 1930, exhibit a variety of architectural styles, materials and ornament. The vernacular design and small scale of the residential structures and the modestly ornamented but substantial commercial blocks reflect the limited resources of the owner-builders, who were predominantly laborers, artisans, and independent businessmen. The grand scale and sophisticated design exhibited in the religious and civic architecture bespeak the importance of church and government to the immigrant working class. Remaining a stable and close-knit community well into the twentieth centure, the South End/Groesbeckville Historic District retains integrity as a unique historic neighborhood in Albany recalling a significant phase of the city's growth and development.
The building is mentioned specifically on page 5:
The John A. Howe Public Library on Schuyler Street, built in 1929, is a notable example of the Georgian Revival style, designed to complement the neighboring Schuyler Mansion.
Additionally, a more detailed architectural description is on page 71:
When built in 1929, building was designed with the proximity of the Schuyler Mansion in mind and is a Georgian Revival style with Palladin windows, stone balustrade at roof line with pineapple finials; stone belt coursing, stone water table. Interior: Children's room has fireplace with pictorial story tiles of Rip Van Winkle, (main colors of blue, rose, and yellow) which were made at the Moravian Tile & Pottery Works, Pennsylvania. Library retains original oak furnishings, ca. 1929.(Submitted on June 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Built 1929
Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
