Center Square & Hudson/Park in Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
204 Lancaster Street
Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 4, 2026
1. 204 Lancaster Street Marker
Sup't. of Construction
for State Capitol
1889
Second Marker
1984 Preservation Merit Award Waldorf Tuxedo Company John Wagner, Prop.
Erected by Historic Albany Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 42° 39.285′ N, 73° 45.94′ W. Marker is in Albany, New York, in Albany County. It is in Center Square & Hudson/Park. It is at the intersection of Lancaster Street and Lark Street, on the right when traveling south on Lancaster Street. While the address of this building is on Lancaster Street, the markers are located on the Lark Street side of the building, and the direction of travel information is based on the Lark Street approach. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 Lancaster Street, Albany NY 12210, 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
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 216 Lancaster Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 40 Willett Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 168 Chestnut Street (about 300 feet away); Birthplace of Erastus Corning II (about 400 feet away); Glynn Mansion (about 400 feet away); 165 Chestnut Street (about 400 feet away); 366 Hudson Avenue (about 400 feet away); A Tropical Oasis (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.
Regarding 204 Lancaster Street. This corner building at 204 Lancaster Street forms the western end of a row of rusticated stone houses erected by Albany builder James W. Eaton in 1889. Eaton had previously served as Superintendent of Construction for the New York State Capitol and was responsible for several other substantial residential projects in the Center Square neighborhood. The row at 204–220 Lancaster Street is specifically identified in the National Register
Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 10, 2026
2. 204 Lancaster Street Marker Under Wall-Mounted Light
This side of the building is on Lark St
The building later became the long-time home of the Waldorf Tuxedo Company. The business was founded in 1936 and moved to the corner of Lark and Lancaster streets in 1965, after its downtown location was displaced. John Wagner, who had purchased the business in 1960, renovated the building and helped establish the shop as a fixture of Lark Street for decades. In 1984, Historic Albany Foundation recognized the property with a Preservation Merit Award.
Sources
Albany Times Union, “Churchill: Diagnosis ends an era on Lark Street,” March 28, 2026. Gives the history of Waldorf Tuxedo, including its 1936 founding, John Wagner’s purchase of the business, and its 1965 move to 204 Lancaster Street.
Albany Times Union, “Wagner was Lark Street presence,” February 7, 2015. Documents John Wagner’s ownership of Waldorf Tuxedo and his long association with the Lark Street business district.
"Center Square/Hudson–Park Historic District," National Register documentation. Identifies James W. Eaton as a builder and former superintendent of construction for
Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 10, 2026
3. 204 Lancaster Street
Left side of the building faces Lark St., and the right side faces Lancaster St. This shot provides a view of the row of houses
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
