WTRI-FM, yet another “lost” broadcaster.
WTRI-FM was an early Capital District FM broadcaster, owned by the Troy Broadcasting Company and operating from 1948-1952. William A. Riple, owner of Troy Broadcasting, was…
Albany’s “Street Arabs”
In the latter part of the 19th Century, homeless urchins were referred to as “street arabs.” In 1885, a semi-charitable home was established at 51 Rensselaer…
Ronnie Tober: Albany’s Dutch Superstar
Do you know who Ronnie Tober is? You would if you lived in Holland. Born in Bussum, Netherlands, in 1945, his family moved to Albany three…
Thomas L. Hisgen, trustbuster
Another forgotten Albany success story. From a 1908 newspaper article: “[Thomas L.] Hisgen was born at St. Petersburg, Ind., in 1858. When he was 16 years…
Albany’s Fantastic Halloween Carnival: Two Years of Mirth and Magic
This is a recounting of Albany’s “All-Hallowe’en Carnivals” from a 1933 Times-Union article. The citywide celebrations were held only two years – 1904 and 1905. This…
Albany Public Market and Westgate Plaza: An Immigrant Success Story
Giuseppi Nigro -age 24 – and wife immigrated to America in 1904. They hit the ground running. In 1905, the Nigro family opened a little…
The End of the Great Western Turnpike
Chartered in 1799, the Great Western Turnpike Company was largely responsible for the development of Western Avenue (and Route 20 out to Cherry Valley). The road…
The Short, Sad Tale of Allyn King
Allyn King was a beauty of the stage, a tragic figure whose career began and ended in Albany. King was born in Winston-Salem, NC in 1899,…
Stephina Herrewyn, Albany’s Prettiest Girl
Dutch-born immigrant Stephina Herrewyn was just eighteen in 1920, when she entered her first Albany beauty contest. Her employer just happened to be the Wendell Photo…
What Was There: 481 Washington Avenue
Even unglamorous buildings have a history. 481 Washington Avenue appears to have been built around 1927 by the Unity Spiritualist Temple, replacing a two-story home at…
