Troy in Rensselaer County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

18 Second Street

Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 6, 2026

1. 18 Second Street Marker

Inscription.
c. 1835
Home of Joseph Card
City Superintendent

Erected by Historic Troy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 42° 43.86′ N, 73° 41.489′ W. Marker is in Troy, New York, in Rensselaer County. It is on 2nd Street 0.2 miles south of Broadway, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18 2nd Street, Troy NY 12180, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

in the Capital District,

and in the Albany Metropolitan Area.

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: The Rescue of Charles Nalle (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); T'was The Night Before Christmas (about 400 feet

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away); The Conservatory (about 500 feet away); First Baptist Church of Troy (about 600 feet away); Uncle Sam Monument (about 800 feet away); History of Sage Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rensselaer County's First Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rensselaer County Spanish-American War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Troy.

Regarding 18 Second Street. Joseph Card (1766–1837) was born in Newport, Rhode Island, and later settled in Troy. By 1831 he was serving the city as one of its official measurers of grain and salt. A Troy directory also identifies him as a city measurer and places him at 18 Second Street, along with his sons John M. Card, a merchant, and Richard W. Card, a clerk.

Card subsequently served as Troy’s city superintendent, the position identified on this plaque. He married Hannah McCoun, and the couple had five children. Their daughter Martha Maria Card married prominent Troy flour merchant Townsend McCoun Vail. Card died in Troy in 1837 and was buried in Mount Ida Cemetery.

The house at 18 Second Street dates to about 1835 and was built as a pair with 16 Second

18 Second Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 6, 2026

2. 18 Second Street

Street. National Register documentation describes the two as three-story brick rowhouses with principal rooms on the second floor featuring elaborate Greek Revival plasterwork. No. 18 retains brownstone trim, a recessed entrance, wrought-iron railing, and a later projecting bay window.

Sources:

Daughters of the American Revolution, Philip Schuyler Chapter. Mt. Ida Cemetery Inscriptions, Troy, N.Y. — Card family burial records.

National Park Service. Central Troy Historic District, Boundary Expansion, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. — Architectural description and c. 1835 date for 18 Second Street.

Troy Directory, 1831. N. Tuttle, Troy. — Joseph Card among the city's measurers of grain and salt; municipal officers.

Reynolds, Cuyler. Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs. 1911.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.