History of Troy, New York, USA

1812 - Sam Wilson, a meatpacker from Troy who's caricature Uncle Sam came to personify the United States is buried at Troy's Oakwood Cemetery.
During the War of 1812, he stamped "US Beef" on his products which soldiers interpreted the US abbreviation as meaning Uncle Sam.
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/state-facts/ new-york.html

1816 - Troy Incorporated

1825 - January 25 - 1st US engineering college opens, Rensselaer Polytechnic, Troy, NY

historyorb.com

1846 - AVALANCHE AT TROY.
Another avalanche occurred on Saturday, in the immediate environs of this city, for which Troy has become famous. Two men were instantly killed, together with a pair of fine horses. It was near the former avalanche, on the opposite side of a small stream, and a block of brick houses. Nearly three hundred feet of abrupt hill, of clay soil, came down with irresistible force, and had it not been for a brief warning, a great number of laborers would have been buried up, who were digging away the hill. The two who were killed ran some distance, but, supposing they were beyond the reach of danger, stopped to look back, and were caught by the terrific avalanche. The owner of the horses saw the earth coming down, and attempted to get his team beyond reach, but seeing it impossible, he barely had time to save himself. The avalanche occurred about two o'clock, but at dark, although a great number of men had been at work all the afternoon, the bodies had not been recovered -- the horses had been ... Read MORE...

1854 - Troy / West Troy
Troy, a city, and capital of Rensselaer county, New York, is situated on both sides of the Hudson river, at the mouth of the Poestenkill creek, at the head of steamboat navigation, 6 miles above Albany, and 151 miles N. from New York. Lat. 42° 44' N., Lon. 73° 40' W. The principal portion of the city is on the eastern bank of the river, over which communication is kept up by a bridge and ferry-boats. The site is an alluvial plain, terminated on the eastern side by an eminence named Mount Ida, which rises directly in the rear of the southern part, and commands a beautiful and extensive view of the city and the Hudson river, and of the neighboring towns. Mount Olympus, in the N. part of the town, is a bare mass of rock about 200 feet high. The limits of the city extend about 8 miles along the river, and 1 mile from E. to W. It is laid out with much regularity, and is handsomely built. The streets are 60 feet wide, and cross each other at right angles, excepting River street, which... Read MORE...

1859 - BURNING OF THE TROY HOSPITAL.
TROY, N. Y., Thursday, Jan. 13. About 6 o'clock this evening a fire broke out in the Troy Hospital, which, owing the scarcity of water, was partially consumed. The patients were all rescued in safety. The loss is about $3,000; but is all covered by insurance.
The New York Times
New York, New York
January 14, 1859

1866 - DISASTROUS FIRE IN TROY - DESTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC ORPHAN ASYLUM.
Troy, N.Y., Saturday, May 5.
About 8 o'clock this evening a fire broke out in the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, and in an hour the building was burned to the ground, with a portion of its contents. The building was a large wooden structure, and was the private property of REV. FATHER PETER HAVERMANS. There were one hundred and seventy-two orphan boys in the Asylum, all of whom were saved. The Asylum was probably set on fire by a young man originally from Virginia. He was an inmate of the asylum five years ago, when he set fire to the building. For this he was sent to the house of refuge for four years, but as he threatened to fire the building when he got out, he was kept a year longer. He was set at liberty two weeks ago, and a few days since attempted to set fire to a barn near the asylum. He was seen lurking about the asylum today, and circumstances strongly indicate that he fired the buildings. The orphans have been temporarily provided for in other quarters. A large Catholic... Read MORE...

1869 - Troy, N.Y., is said to be the greatest potato market in this country.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
November 6, 1869

1895 - Troy
...The streets are generally well paved, lighted with gas and electricity, £f bordered £ The finest residences are situated on First, Second, and Fifth streets, and around Seminary and Washington Parks. Among the public buildings worthy of notice are the Troy savings-bank building, including a fine music-hall, and erected at a cost of $500,000, the Episcopal churches of the Holy Cross and St. Paul, both of blue limestone, St. John's, of brown sandstone, and the Troy Times building, of iron and glass. Troy contains 50 churches, a fine masonic temple, a high school, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the Emma Willard Female Seminary (to which Hon. Russell Sage has recently presented a $100,000 building and the late Mr. G. W. S. Quackenbush a $50,000 structure), several academies, 8 national banks, a new city hall, a Catholic theological seminary, the Marshall Infirmary, the Troy Hospital, 2 orphan asylums, and a public library. Four daily and 6 weekly newspapers are published here.... Read MORE...

1895 - Blizzard - THE STORM STILL HOVERS OVER THE UNITED STATES. IT IS SEVEREST IN THE EAST. TRAFFIC ALMOST ENTIRELY AT A STANDSTILL -- RAILROAD TRAINS BLOCKADED -- BUSINESS PARALYZED -- PEOPLE FROZEN TO DEATH AT SEVERAL PLACES...
...Spend A Night In A Motor Car.
Troy, N. Y., Feb. 9. - One of the incidents of the storm here was the stalling of a motor car on the East Side last night with half a dozen persons on board, who were obliged to spend the night in the car, the blinding blizzard making it unsafe to venture out. They managed to get to a fire enginehouse a quarter of a mile away at dawn, and were almost helpless when they reached it...
The Delphos Daily Herald
Ohio
February 9, 1895

1896 - SEWING GIRLS CREMATED. BETWEEN TWENTY AND THIRTY BURNED TO DEATH IN TROY. ONE EXIT FOR 300 PEOPLE.
FIVE GIRLS JUMPED FROM WINDOWS AND THREE MET INSTANT DEATH - LARGE LIST OF INJURED AND MISSING - BOY'S CARLESS MATCH STARTED A BLAZE AND A PANIC FOLLOWED.

Troy, N.Y., Feb. 17. - There is mourning in the homes of Troy collar girls tonight. An untimely and fearful death overcome many of them late this afternoon. Working girls, whose day's labor was almost over, were cut down almost without warning by fire.

Three girls jumped to death from a burning building.

Distracted, agonized mothers waited for the return of their daughters at night and they waited in vain.

Bright, pretty collar girls, who had left their homes in the morning, full of life and health and spirit never lived to tell that tale of agony, torture and death. Their poor, charred bodies are now resting under tons and tons of red-hot embers, stone and brick.

Identity even when found will probably be impossible. The scene was one that Trojans will never forget. It is a black page in the city's history,... Read MORE...

1897 - Troy
The original charter of the city of Troy was enacted April 12, 1816. It contained no unusual features. It constituted the inhabitants of the place a corporate body under the name of "The Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of Troy." The charter divided the city into six wards. The first, second, third and fourth were identical with those of the village as established by the law of April 4, 1806. The fifth ward comprised that section lying north of a line beginning at the bridge spanning the Poesten kill, near the grist mill of Townsend McCoun, and crossing the bridge and running along the south line of the Hollow Road until it intersected the Schuyler Road, where it turned south and ran to the south limits of the new city. The sixth ward included all the rest of the city which was not embraced in the other wards. The limits of the city were made identical in all respects with the limits of the town of Troy. as it existed at the time of the passage of the charter. The... Read MORE...

1906
Troy, a city and the capital of Rensselaer co., N.Y., is situated on the E. bank of the Hudson River, at the mouth of the Poestenkill River, at the head of steamboat navigation, 6 miles above Albany and 151 miles N. of New York, on the New York Central and Hudson River, the Delaware and Hudson and the Boston and Maine Rs. Lat. of observatory, 42° 43' 53" N. ; Lon. 73° 40' 35" W. On the opposite bank of the Hudson is Watervliet (West Troy). The site of the city is mainly an alluvial plain which extends along the river for several miles and is terminated on the E. side by a range of hills, of which Mount Ida is the most commanding summit. The city is laid out with great regularity. Troy contains a number of notable public buildings and various charitable and benevolent associations, and is the seat of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, one of the best-equipped institutions of its kind in the country, and the Emma Willard Seminary, one of the oldest schools for the higher education of ... Read MORE...

1911 - HEAVY FIRE LOSS IN CITY OF TROY. BUSINESS STRUCTURE DESTROYED AT LOSS OF THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND.
Troy, N. Y., Jan. 26. - The Boston store and several other structures in the business section of this city were destroyed by fire early this morning, entailing a loss estimated at $300,000.

The local fire department had a desperate struggle in their efforts to control the flames, which for a time threatened to wipe out a large area of the business section. Apparatus from Lansingburg came to the aid of the local fire department.

The fire was discovered in the Boston store at about five o'clock. At ten o'clock the fire was still burning fiercely, but it was thought that the firemen had it under control.

About 9:30 four firemen were buried under falling walls and at this hour (10:30) their comrades are working furiously in an effort to save them.

The burned business places include Woolworth's Five and Ten Cent store, Kresge's Five and Ten Cent store, CLARENCE WILSON, haberdasher and N. J. MYERS.

The department store of WM. H. FREAR and Co., one of the largest in this... Read MORE...

1949 - April 15 - A hailstone five inches by five and a half inches in size, and weighing four pounds, was measured at Troy NY.

The Weather Channel
April 15, 1949

Whether you're a local looking for new experiences or a visitor exploring the area, here's a list of places to go and things to do in Troy:
Troy Waterfront Farmers Market: Start your weekend by visiting this bustling market along the Hudson River. You can find fresh produce, artisanal goods, and delicious food from local vendors. It's a great place to grab breakfast and explore the riverfront.

Downtown Troy: Take a stroll through the historic downtown area, which boasts beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture. The streets are lined with charming shops, boutiques, and art galleries. Don't forget to admire the iconic Troy Music Hall, known for its exceptional acoustics.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI): If you're interested in science and technology, RPI's campus is worth a visit. It's a prestigious institution with a beautiful campus. You can also check out their museums and art installations.

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall: Catch a live performance at this acoustically renowned venue. The Music Hall hosts a variety of concerts, from classical to contemporary, making it a cultural gem in... Read MORE...