TROY, NY

The city of Troy is situated on the Hudson River slightly north of Albany and just south of Cohoes Falls (second largest water volume to Niagara), where the Mohawk River enters the Hudson. Troy, the most significant port between New York City and the Erie Canal, blossomed in the 19^th century. It served as a major commercial hub in the opening of the west.  Large ships came up the Hudson and transferred their cargo, including immigrants, to barges for the journey west to Buffalo and beyond. Soon the traffic became two-way as western grain and other commodities headed to NYC for consumption around the world.

In 1840 census, it was the 4^th wealthiest city in the United States on a per person basis and attracted entrepreneurs from New England and New York. For example, Troy housed a large factory to manufacture detachable collars and cuffs sold around the world. Hannah Montague, a Troy housewife, invented this to save her husband’s shirts. The idea caught on around the world and the company later became the iconic Arrow Shirt Company.

The wealthy citizens funded the installation of many stained glass windows by Louis Tiffany and built many treasured examples of Victorian architecture--  still standing and part of the revival of Troy’s downtown. 

Arrow Shirt Factory

Sam Wilson, a Troy entrepreneur, the original Uncle Sam

"Satisfaction Guaranteed and Money Cheerfully Refunded"

Victorian Mansion

Tiffany Window of the Printing Press in Troy Public Library