Ten Broeck Triangle in Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

25 Ten Broeck Street

Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 24, 2026

1. 25 Ten Broeck Street Marker

Inscription. Built in 1848
Home of banker William Watson
(1859-67) and Patrick Ronan
Ronan towboat line (1881-1902)
Facade remodeled c1881

Erected by Historic Albany Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Historic Albany Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 42° 39.358′ N, 73° 45.057′ W. Marker is in Albany, New York, in Albany County. It is in Ten Broeck Triangle. It is at the intersection of Ten Broeck Street and First Street, on the right when traveling north on Ten Broeck Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25 Ten Broeck St, 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 World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and

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also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 33 Ten Broeck Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 13 Ten Broeck Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 77 Ten Broeck Street (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Patroon Street (about 800 feet away); Clinton Square (about 800 feet away); Ten Broeck Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Herman Melville (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Church in Albany (Reformed) (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.

Regarding 25 Ten Broeck Street. Regarding William Watson, Patrick Ronan, and Hudson River Commerce

Built in 1848, this Ten Broeck Street house was associated with two important aspects of Albany's nineteenth-century economy: banking and Hudson River transportation. The Historic Albany Foundation plaque identifies banker William Watson as a resident from 1859 to 1867. The 1860 Albany city directory confirms that a William Watson, banker, maintained an office at 67 State Street and resided at 25 Ten Broeck Street.

A later resident

25 Ten Broeck Street with Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 24, 2026

2. 25 Ten Broeck Street with Marker

was Patrick Ronan, proprietor of the Ronan Line of steamers operating between Albany and New York City. Ronan had earlier been involved in the grocery and shipping trade in Albany's Lumber District. By the later nineteenth century, his towing company was among the businesses transporting canal boats and their cargoes along the Hudson River.

These steam-powered towing operations were an important link between New York's canal system and the port of New York City. Canal boats carrying agricultural products, manufactured goods, and other freight were assembled into large groups and towed along the Hudson. In his 1907 book Old Steamboat Days on the Hudson River, David Lear Buckman identifies the Ronan Company among the river's established towing operators.

Patrick Ronan died in 1888, leaving the business to his sons, John D. and Parker C. Ronan. Following John's death in 1893, Parker became sole proprietor. An 1897 federal court report concerning a Hudson River towing accident documents the Ronan Line transporting a fleet of 32 canal boats from Albany in August 1893, demonstrating the company's continued operations under the next generation.

The

25 Ten Broeck Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 24, 2026

3. 25 Ten Broeck Street

Architectural Element: Front Door

Historic Albany Foundation plaque also records a remodeling of the house's façade around 1881. The building's history connects Albany's residential neighborhoods with the banking and maritime businesses that contributed to the city's commercial development.

Sources

- Adams, Sampson & Co. The Albany Directory for the Year Commencing June 1, 1860. Entry for William Watson, banker, 67 State Street, residing at 25 Ten Broeck Street.
- Buckman, David Lear. Old Steamboat Days on the Hudson River. Grafton Press, 1907, pp. 86–88. Digitized book.
- Minch v. The Victoria et al. 79 Federal Reporter 122 (1897). Federal maritime litigation concerning the August 1893 tow from Albany.
- Parker, Amasa J., editor. Landmarks of Albany County, New York. D. Mason & Co., 1897, p. 373. Biography of Parker C. Ronan. Digitized biographical entry.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.