Downtown in Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Railroads
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2017
1. Railroads Marker
In the dawn of American Railroads, the Mohawk and Hudson Line (1831), running between Albany and Schenectady, was one of the first built. Juggling funding, inventions, public relations and sheer determination, this railroad evolved from a bone-jarring novelty, powered by spark-spitting locomotives, to the speedy and streamlined New York Central line.
Railroads played a large part in Albany’s emergence as a transportation hub. Standing witness to their prominence are Kiernan Plaza, originally Union Station (1899-1900), and SUNY Plaza at the foot of State Street, formerly the Delaware & Hudson Railroad headquarters (1914-1916).
The Honorable Thomas M. Whalen, III – Mayor, City of Albany
Albany Urban Cultural Park
Erected by City of Albany and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Urban Cultural Parks Program.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 42° 39.084′ N, 73° 44.999′ W. Marker is in Albany, New York, in Albany County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on Broadway north of Steuben Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Albany's Tricentennial
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Union Station (within shouting distance of this marker); United Traction Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); B. Lodge & Company (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Fur Trade (about 500 feet away); 1st Telephone Central Office in New York State (about 700 feet away); First Church in Albany (Reformed) (about 800 feet away); Anneke Janse Bogardus House Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Herman Melville (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.
More about this marker. Marker is painted metal mounted at eye-level on a tall metal frame. Marker is in the grassy, tree-covered center section of the park.
Also see . . .
1. The Mohawk And Hudson Railroad.
The Mohawk and Hudson Railroad would probably have been long forgotten within the history books of the industry had it not been for its important distinction as New York's first chartered railroad, created in the spring of 1826. The company maintained its original name for about 15 years until it was renamed in the 1840s to better reflect the cities that it served, Albany and Schenectady. (Submitted on April 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2017
2. Railroads Marker (tall view)
2. Albany and Schenectady Railroad.
The Mohawk & Hudson Railroad was the first railroad built in the State of New York and one of the first railroads in the United States. It was so-named because it linked the Mohawk River at Schenectady with the Hudson River at Albany. It was conceived as a means of allowing Erie Canal passengers to quickly bypass the circuitous Cohoes Falls via steam powered trains. The railroad was consolidated into the New York Central Railroad in 1853. (Submitted on April 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
July 12, 2017
3. Railroads Marker (wide view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2017
4. Kiernan Plaza / Union Station (view from Tricentannial Square near marker)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2017
5. SUNY / Delaware & Hudson Railroad Headquarters (5 blocks south of marker)
circa 1908
6. Union Station, Albany, N.Y.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 342 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6. submitted on April 24, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
