Pine Hills in Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
First Railroad
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, April 7, 2008
1. First Railroad Marker
Mohawk and Hudson
First Railroad
Chartered in this Country,
1826, Began its Run Albany
to Schenectady.
Erected 1940 by New York State Education Department.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1826.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 42° 39.979′ N, 73° 47.497′ W. Marker was in Albany, New York, in Albany County. It was in Pine Hills. It was at the intersection of Western Avenue and Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Western Avenue. Marker is posted east of the bus shelter between the converging roadways of Western Ave & Madison Ave just east of Allen St. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Albany NY 12203, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Upstate New York and in the Capital District. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: First Steam Train (here, next to this marker); Swinburne Park (approx. Ύ mile away); "The Elms" (approx. 0.9 miles away); Albany's Urban Orchard (approx. 1.1 miles away); Site of New York Central Railroad Erector Shop
this page online
More about this marker. Appears marker has been removed.
Regarding First Railroad. On December 28, 1825, George William Featherstonhaugh ran a newspaper notice announcing the formation of the Mohawk & Hudson Rail Road Company. The Mohawk & Hudson Railroad became the first chartered railroad in New York State on April 17, 1826. Construction began in August 1830 and the railroad opened September 24, 1831, on a 16-mile route between Albany and Schenectady through the Pine Bush region that separates both cities. The DeWitt Clinton locomotive made its first test run on July 2nd that year. The railroad was seen as a way to reduce the amount of time it took for passengers to travel from Albany to Schenectady on the Erie Canal, which was the leading transportation network of the time, due to the 22 locks between the two cities. On April 19, 1847, the name Mohawk and Hudson was changed to the Albany & Schenectady Railroad. The Albany and Schenectady railroad was
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, May 10, 2011
2. First Railroad Marker
An updated view of the marker showing that it has been replaced or cleaned up.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, April 7, 2008
3. First Railroad Marker
Marker is in the center of the photo and to the left of the green roof bus shelter.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, May 10, 2011
4. First Railroad Marker
Marker is in the upper left corner of photo. The police station is next door.
Library of Congress
5. DeWitt Clinton Locomotive
© Google Street View
6. Marker no longer visible as of September 2016.
Photographed by Google Street View
7. First Railroad Marker Remains Visible as of September 2019.
Photographed by William Kidd, September 4, 2024
8. Old marker has been replaced by First Steam Train
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 2,341 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 6, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 2. submitted on May 10, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 3. submitted on October 6, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 4. submitted on May 10, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 5. submitted on April 27, 2017, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 6. submitted on December 20, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 7. submitted on March 17, 2020, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 8. submitted on September 12, 2024, by William Kidd of Albany, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
