The History of Albany, NY
How Old is Albany?
Billed as one of the oldest cities in the United States, Albany is a picturesque city located along the Hudson River in Albany County. This history-steeped community boasts of rich cultural heritage and is home to a fast-growing population of approximately 100,000 people according to a 2019 survey. Albany serves as the capital of the great State of New York and lies approximately 240 kilometers north of the magnificent New York City.
The area that would become Albany was originally claimed by Henry Hudson on behalf of the Dutch East India Company in 1609. The Dutch settlers built Fort Orange as one of the original settlements in the area. In 1664, the settlement was taken over English colonialists and renamed Albany in honor of James II, the then Duke of Albany and future King of England.
Albany Claimed By Henry Hudson
The area that would become Albany was originally claimed by Henry Hudson on behalf of the Dutch East India Company in 1609. The Dutch settlers built Fort Orange as one of the original settlements in the area. In 1664, the settlement was taken over English colonialists and renamed Albany in honor of James II, the then Duke of Albany and future King of England.
The city of Albany was incorporated in 1686. In 1777, it was appointed as the new capital of New York, a designation that was formerly held by the nearby city of Kingston. The city has developed largely due to its prominent location next to the Hudson River. Once the Eire Canal was completed in 1825, it placed Albany on a direct water route from New York City to the Great Lakes. Albany is sometimes referred to as the ‘crossroads city’ due to the fact that it’s equidistant between the massive conurbations of New York, Boston, Montreal, and Buffalo.
Albany Become Technology Hub
Today, Albany has established itself as one of the leading tech cities in New York. Apart from technology, the city has also invested heavily in healthcare and education. According to Forbes, Albany has one of the highest employment rates in the country thanks to the expanding tech industry and the availability of numerous government jobs within its confines.
In terms of infrastructure, the Albany skyline is dominated by the 589-feet high Erastus Corning Tower of the Empire State Plaza. Conceived and named after Nelson Rockefeller, the then New York State Governor and future United States vice president, the Plaza was built between 1965 and 1978 and also includes four smaller towers and ‘The Egg’.
Albany is a popular place to visit with events happening all year round but its outlying suburbs are particularly picturesque in the autumn. If you are planning to vacation in the beautiful coastal State of New York, make sure that you set aside time to visit the historic State Capital that is Albany city- you won’t be disappointed.