Neighborhoods of Albany, New York
The city of Albany, New York contains a variety of neighborhoods.
Arbor Hill
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Urban_Blight_Clinton_Ave_1.jpg/220px-Urban_Blight_Clinton_Ave_1.jpg)
Arbor Hill[1] is an historic neighborhood in northeastern Albany near the Hudson River. Arbor Hill encompasses the area from Clinton Avenue (formerly called Patroon Street) north to the Livingston Avenue Railroad Bridge (where North Albany begins) and from the Hudson River west to Henry Johnson Boulevard.[2] Arbor Hill was outside Albany's first boundaries as set up in the Dongan Charter of 1686. The original name of the area was Colonie. Incorporated as a village on April 9, 1804, Arbor Hill was annexed by the city in 1815, at which time Patroon Street became Clinton Avenue.[3] The name "Arbor Hill" comes from the nickname of the Ten Broeck Mansion, an important cultural and historical destination in the neighborhood. Arbor Hill includes Dudley Heights, a residential neighborhood north of Livingston Avenue that was the first location of the Dudley Observatory.[4] Demographically, Arbor Hill is predominantly African-American.[5]
Beverwyck
A small neighborhood of interior streets between Central and Washington Avenues, Beverwyck[6][7] is mostly residential.
Bishop's Gate
Bishop's Gate is a small portion of the City of Albany that lies north of Interstate 90 and west of Route Nine.[8]
Buckingham Lake
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Buckinghamlake.jpg/220px-Buckinghamlake.jpg)
The Buckingham Lake neighborhood is bordered by Western Avenue on the north, Route 85 on the west, Krumkill Road and New Scotland Avenues on the south, and South Manning Boulevard on t he east.[9][10]
Center Square
![A view down a city sidewalk with identical orange brick rowhouses, all with a projecting upper window](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Brides%27_Row%2C_144-170_Chestnut_Street%2C_Albany%2C_NY.jpg/220px-Brides%27_Row%2C_144-170_Chestnut_Street%2C_Albany%2C_NY.jpg)
Center Square[11][6] contains many buildings of architectural significance and is locally famous for its nightlife, entertainment, culture, and dining. Center Square includes the area bounded by Lark Street on the west, Spring Street on the north, South Swan Street on the east and Jay Street on the south, as well as the upper portion of Lancaster Street between Lark Street and Willett Street. It is included in its entirety within the Center Square/Hudson–Park Historic District. Center Square is also notable for its close proximity to Washington Park. Center Square and the Hudson/Park neighborhood to the south are often compared to New York City's Greenwich Village for their eclectic mix of residential and commercial uses, including bars, night clubs, restaurants, and unique stores. Albany's gay culture is vibrant in this area.[12]
Eagle Hill
Eagle Hill[13][6] is a residential neighborhood in western Albany near the Town of Guilderland that is named for the Eagle Hill Cemetery. Eagle Hill is a large neighborhood "bounded by the [W. Averell Harriman State Office Building Campus] to the north, parts of Krumkill Road and the State Thruway (Interstate 87) to the south, an assortment of streets to the west (including Arch Avenue, North Bridge Drive and Wood Street), and Route 85 and the Buckingham Lake neighborhood to the east." Eagle Hill is an ethnically diverse community that has been described as "a tranquil, pretty place with narrow, tree-lined streets and small city lots with a mix of housing styles."[14]
Helderberg
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Albany_Houses.jpg/220px-Albany_Houses.jpg)
The Helderberg neighborhood[15] can be roughly defined by the quadrangle formed by New Scotland Avenue to the north, South Manning and Hackett Boulevards to the west and south, respectively, and Academy Road to the east.
Hudson/Park
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/AlbanyNewYork.jpg/220px-AlbanyNewYork.jpg)
Albany's Hudson/Park neighborhood[16] is a mixed commercial and residential neighborhood.
Manning Boulevard
While Manning Boulevard runs for several miles from the north side of Albany to the south side of the city, the Manning Boulevard neighborhood "encompasses the area on both sides of Manning Boulevard between Washington and Western Avenues."[6][17] This small neighborhood is unusual in the City of Albany because of the carriage paths that run on either side of this stretch of Manning Boulevard. According to the Manning Boulevard Neighborhood Association, these carriage paths were created in the late nineteenth century.[17]
Melrose
Melrose is a neighborhood east of the State Office Campus which features mostly one-family homes and includes Rosemont Park. Located in western Albany, Melrose is roughly bounded by Washington Avenue to the north, Western Avenue to the south, Brevator Street to the west, and Manning Boulevard to the east. Melrose Avenue itself is built on the right-of-way of the first passenger railroad in the state of New York, which ran from Albany to Schenectady. The historic Jesse Buel House is located in Melrose. Melrose has been described as "a cute family neighborhood with some history" and "a quiet, pretty place with older houses in a wide assortment of styles."[18]
New Scotland/Woodlawn
The New Scotland/Woodlawn neighborhood[19] in midtown Albany is triangular in shape.
Normanskill
The Normanskill neighborhood is located in the southwestern corner of the City of Albany, near Capital Hills at Albany (Albany's municipal golf course).[20] The neighborhood draws its name from the Normans Kill, a creek that forms part of Albany's southern boundary. Normanskill includes the former Hamlets of Hurstville and Karlsfeld, which were annexed from the Town of Bethlehem in 1967.[21]
Normansville
Normansville, New York is also named for the Normans Kill. Normansville is a very small neighborhood that lies within and along the banks of the ravine formed by the Normans Kill. Located in the southeastern portion of the city, Normansville was originally a hamlet in the neighboring town of Bethlehem. The City of Albany annexed the portion of Normansville that lies north of the Normans Kill; the portion of Normansville lying south of the Normans Kill remains in the Town of Bethlehem.[citation needed]
The Albany portion of Normansville is located in on a brick road off of Delaware Avenue south of the New York State Thruway; it is largely rural and forested.[citation needed] The park has the largest of Albany's community gardens, a dog park, hiking trails, a working farm, historic farm buildings, and a historic whipple truss bridge from 1867.[22][23] The Albany Mounted Police Unit's draft horses are also kept here.[24] A nineteenth-century bridge connects the Albany and Bethlehem portions of Normansville, but is closed to vehicular traffic.[25][26]
North Albany
North Albany was settled in the mid-17th century by the Patroon of Rensselaerswyck and his tenants and later became a hamlet in the town of Watervliet. North Albany is located roughly between the Town of Colonie, New York and Village of Menands, New York to the north, the Livingston Avenue railroad bridge to the south,[27] the Hudson River to the east, and Van Rensselaer Boulevard to the west.
Park South
Tucked between University Heights and the southern edge of Washington Park, the small neighborhood of Park South underwent urban renewal efforts in the early 21st century, with existing housing units being removed or renovated and new office, commercial, and apartment buildings being added.[28]
Pine Hills
The Pine Hills neighborhood[29] is roughly bounded by Washington Avenue to the north, South Lake Avenue to the east, Woodlawn Avenue and Cortland Street to the south, and South Manning Boulevard to the west. Pine Hills received its name from the Albany Land Improvement Company in 1891.[30] The neighborhood consists mainly of freestanding multi-unit, duplex, and semi-detached houses and is home to Albany High School, the LaSalle School, the College of St. Rose, and the Alumni Quad of the University at Albany. The area of Pine Hills east of Main Avenue and north of Myrtle Avenue is commonly referred to as the "student ghetto" due to its predominant population of college students, many from Long Island or New York City.[31]
South End
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/South_End-Groesbeckville_Historic_District.jpg/220px-South_End-Groesbeckville_Historic_District.jpg)
A large and diverse area of Albany, the South End[32] consists of several smaller neighborhoods. Neighborhoods within the South End include the following:
Delaware Avenue
Delaware Avenue is a main entrance to the city from the south, specifically the Bethlehem/Delmar area. The Delaware Avenue neighborhood[6] is located southwest of the Empire State Plaza. Delaware Avenue is the western border of the South End. Only a small part of Delaware Avenue is considered the "Delaware Neighborhood". In recent years, Federal stimulus money was invested into the neighborhood to build new streets, lighting, trees, and contribute to safety.[33]
Krank Park
This neighborhood surrounds Krank Park and includes Historic Cherry Hill (Albany, New York).[34]
Mansion District
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Mansion_District.jpg/240px-Mansion_District.jpg)
The Mansion neighborhood is dominated by the Governor's Mansion for which it is named. In the Mansion neighborhood,[35] all major 19th-century architectural styles are represented. Italianate is the most widely represented style in the district, and it is present in many levels of sophistication. A number of buildings use elements of both the Greek Revival and Italianate styles, but there are also some highly refined examples of these individual styles. There are also some unusual examples of the application of Gothic Revival decoration to rowhouse construction.
Mount Hope
Mount Hope is the neighborhood surrounding Mt. Hope Drive between Route 9W and South Pearl Street south of Route 787.[36]
Pastures
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Houses_on_Westerlo_Street%2C_Albany%2C_NY.jpg/220px-Houses_on_Westerlo_Street%2C_Albany%2C_NY.jpg)
The Pastures[6] is a distinct neighborhood that features mixed-use living.
Second Avenue
The Second Avenue neighborhood surrounds Second Avenue, which runs from Delaware Avenue east downhill to South Pearl Street. This neighborhood[37] is mostly residential and relies on Delaware Avenue for most retail services.
The Dunes
The Dunes[38] is a residential area located east of New Karner Road, south of Washington Avenue Extension, and alongside sections of the Pinebush Preserve and the Town of Guilderland. The Dunes is located in the long, narrow western protrusion of Albany known as the Pine Bush, west of Crossgates Mall. According to the City of Albany website, "the neighborhood has a distinctly suburban feel."[6]
Rapp Road Community Historic District
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/67_and_68_Rapp_Road%2C_Albany%2C_NY.jpg/220px-67_and_68_Rapp_Road%2C_Albany%2C_NY.jpg)
The Rapp Road Community Historic District is a 14-acre (5.7 ha) residential area that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. The District is a rare intact example of a chain migration community from the Great Migration—the movement of 6 million African-Americans out of the rural Southern United States to the urban Northeast, Midwest, and West that occurred between 1916 and 1970.[39][40][41]
The Rapp Road Community Historic District lies along Rapp Road between Pine Lane and the South Frontage Road of Washington Avenue Extension. The District lies just north of the boundary between the City of Albany and the Town of Guilderland.[42]
University Heights
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Albany_Medical_Center.jpg/220px-Albany_Medical_Center.jpg)
University Heights is home to the Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany Law School, Sage College of Albany, and Albany Medical College, which is part of the Albany Medical Center.[43]
Upper Washington Avenue
The Upper Washington Avenue neighborhood[44] is a mostly residential neighborhood located in the northwestern portion of the City of Albany and is approximately bordered by Central Avenue on the north, Melrose on the south, Beverwyck on the east, and Route 85 on the west.
Washington Park
Washington Park is the City of Albany's premier park and the site of many festivals and gatherings.[45][46][47][48] The Park, together with several streets in its immediate vicinity, is listed as a national historic district (see Washington Park Historic District (Albany, New York)). The Washington Park Historic District includes State Street to the north, Willett Avenue to the east, Madison Avenue to the south, and South Lake Avenue to the west, along with Englewood Terrace, Thurlow Terrace, and the residence at 76 Western Avenue to the northwest.[49]
Washington Square
According to the City of Albany website, Washington Square "covers the area west of Henry Johnson [Boulevard] to Quail Street and north of Washington Park to Bradford Street. Located within [Washington Square] are the former YMCA building, the old SUNYA campus, numerous houses of worship and Albany Fire Department Engine 1."[6]
West Albany
West Albany is a neighborhood that includes portions of the City of Albany and the Town of Colonie.
West Hill
West Hill[50] stretches from Central Avenue north to Tivoli Hollow, and from Henry Johnson Boulevard west to Manning Boulevard.[51] A low-income neighborhood,[52][53][54][55] West Hill is dominated by Central Avenue, which is Albany's "Main Street" and an important thoroughfare into Albany, and by Clinton and Livingston Avenues. Tivoli Park is located at the northern end of the neighborhood, while Bleecker Stadium and Swinburne Park are located at the neighborhood's eastern edge.[citation needed] West Hill is a primarily African-American neighborhood.[56]
Whitehall
The Whitehall neighborhood[57] is named for Whitehall Road, a major road on the south side of the City of Albany. An eighteenth-century estate called Whitehall Place--which was (prior to 1882, when it burned down) located "at the confluence of today's Whitehall Road, Delaware Avenue, and Ten Eyck Avenue"--was "used as a Tory hideout" during the American Revolution.[58]
See also
- History of Albany, New York
- Streets of Albany, New York
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Albany, New York
References
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Arbor Hill Neighborhood Plan - The Official Site of the City of Albany, NY". 18 November 2009. Archived from the original on 18 November 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ French, J.H. (1860). Gazetteer of the State of New York. R. Pearsall Smith. p. 159. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
- ^ "Arbor Hill". Arbor Hill. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2017/10/26/residents-activists-raise-questions-about-albany-gas-plant-115276
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Albany's Neighborhoods". Albanyny.gov. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Albany NY Neighborhoods: Mansion, Pine Hills, Center Square & More". Albany.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Bishop's Gate". Bishop's Gate. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "For Albany's Buckingham Lake, a new neighborhood association". Timesunion.com. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Buckingham Lake Neighborhood Association (BLNA) - Home". Blnaofalbany.org. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Historic Center Square Neighborhood - Albany, NY". Center Square Association, Albany, N.Y. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ O'Brien, Tim (2007-05-09). "Lark Street Group Fills Jobs". Times Union (Albany). Hearst Newspapers. p. B4. Archived from the original on 2011-04-30. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "EagleHillNA". sites.google.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Eagle Hill, Albany". Timesunion.com. 17 April 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Helderberg Neighborhood AssociationHome - Helderberg Neighborhood Association - Helderberg Neighborhood Association". hnaalbany.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Hudson/Park Neighborhood Association". Hudsonpark.org. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ a b "Manning Blvd. Neighborhood Association - President's Page". Manningbna.org. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Neighborhood: Melrose, Albany". Timesunion.com. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "New Scotland - Woodlawn Neighborhood Association". nswnaalbany.blogspot.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Normanskill". Normanskill. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ Bryant, Eric (2003). Bogies and Billygoats: A History of the Albany Municipal Golf Course. Writer's Club Press. p. 6. ISBN 0-595-26450-6.
- ^ Deborah Gesensway (May 9, 1988). "Albany Grows on City Farmers". Albany Times Union. p. A1. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
- ^ Brian Nearing (August 6, 2004). "Old Iron Bridge Showing its Age". Albany Times Union. p. B1. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
- ^ Frances Ingraham (September 22, 2002). "Riding the Beat Albany's Mounted Police Form a Special Bond With Their Equine Partners". Albany Times Union. p. G1. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
- ^ Christopher Ringwald (July 10, 1996). "The Current Slows in Normansville". Albany Times Union. p. B1. Retrieved 2010-02-38.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Barbara Hayden (February 17, 1990). "History or Economy Closed Bridge a Sore Spot in Normansville". Albany Times Union. p. B6. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
- ^ "North Albany". Albany Institute of History and Art. Archived from the original on 2010-12-04. Retrieved 2010-07-25.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Churchill, Chris (2010-06-25). "More Park South Plans?". Times Union (Albany). Hearst Newspapers. p. C1. Archived from the original on 2011-04-30. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
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- ^ "A History of Pine Hills". Pine Hills Neighborhood Association. 1977.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "How can troubles in Albany's student ghetto be". Timesunion.com.
- ^ "South End Neighborhood Association". southendna.blogspot.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Stimulus starts by paving the way to work," by Casey Seiler, Albany Times Union, Saturday, May 2, 2009.
- ^ "Krank Park - Cherry Hill". Krank Park - Cherry Hill. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Mansion Neighborhood - Albany, NY". Mansionneighborhood.org. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Mount Hope". Mount Hope. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Second Avenue". Second Avenue. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Dunes". Dunes. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ Lemak, Jennifer A. (April 2000). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Rapp Road Community Historic District". Retrieved 2009-04-19.Accompanying 18 photos, undated
- ^ Great Migration - Black History - HISTORY.com, History.com, retrieved April 9, 2017
- ^ "Albany's historic Rapp Road neighborhood has roots in southern migration". Timesunion.com. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Rapp Road Community History Project". New York State Museum. Archived from the original on 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "University Heights Association: Home". Universityheights.org. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Upper Washington Avenue". Upper Washington Avenue. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ Humberto Martinez (May 10, 2009). "Happiness Blooms at Tulip Festival". Albany Times Union. Retrieved 2009-07-30.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Albany, New York, Special Events". City of Albany Office of Special Events & Volunteer Services. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
- ^ David Filkins (October 7, 2007). "Honoring a favorite son of Italy". Albany Times Union. p. B1. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
- ^ Alan Wechsler (October 19, 2008). "They Move With Purpose". Albany Times Union. p. C8. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2008-04-15.
- ^ "Fresh optimism rises in Albany's West Hill". Timesunion.com. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ Rosemary Lazaro (October 21, 1991). "Not Arbor Hill". Albany Times Union. Retrieved 2009-08-15.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "The joy of music softens principal's death". Timesunion.com. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Chris Churchill: Street memorials provide a needed reminder". Timesunion.com. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Fork in the road, not on the sign". Timesunion.com. 21 December 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Albany middle schools, public and charter, struggle to succeed". Timesunion.com. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/A-lifetime-devoted-to-fighting-for-racial-13681788.php
- ^ "Whitehall". Whitehall. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ Bielinski, Stefan. "Whitehall". exhibitions.nysm.nysed.gov. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
External links
- Neighborhood Map, map of the various neighborhood association boundaries -Link Broken.
- Google Maps overlay, various neighborhood associations boundaries