I want to show you something cool today. Something you don’t see that often. Albany’s transit system – a series of buses and trolleys – offered different fares for different trips around the city. Not every bus took you directly from your starting point to your destination, so you could request a transfer from your…
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The Fractured Coin of the Rebellion
Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post about Albany’s currency and exchange materials during the Civil War. Quick background – during the Civil War, coinage was scarce, and many merchants and tradespeople struck their own tokens for use in exchange for money. In Albany, there were several examples of these “storefronts” or “storecards” –…
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No reason to Bragg about this any more…
Last week, I wrote a post about how my mother told me that allegedly I was related in one way or another to Braxton Bragg, former Civil War general of the Confederacy. The thing is, when it comes to my mother, I am a person who follows the rule of “Trust … but verify.” And…
Read MoreCoins of the Rebellion: The Civil War currency of Albany merchants
I want to show you some historic treasures today. It’s a window to Albany life from 150 years ago. And it’s a nice collectible series as well. Take a look at this. This is an actual minted token from 1863 for a shoe store on Broadway. And tokens like this were the norm in 1863…
Read MoreA new life for Frontier Town in 2017?
Frontier Town, January 1, 2017. BlackBerry PRIV camera phone. Photo by Chuck Miller You might have missed it when Governor Andrew Cuomo issued his recent “State of the State” addresses, but buried on page 102 of the adjoining “State of the State” budget report is a $32 million plan to revitalize what was once the…
Read MoreBUILT 2016 is coming…
One of my favorite charities during my late-year “Charity Season” is Historic Albany Foundation, and their BUILT: Albany’s Architecture Through Artists’ Eyes auction and fundraiser is an event I totally treasure. BUILT is an amazing charity event, in which Albany’s top artisans create breathtaking artwork and imagery inspired by the architecture – past and present…
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L-Ken’s sign, restaurant, demolition began today
I knew it would happen. It was only a matter of time. But when I received a message from one of my loyal blog readers, I knew I only had a few moments to act. Background. I had just put the finishing touches on this morning’s blog, when I received a comment on one of…
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The Storytown U.S.A. “Do Declare” Coloring Book
By now, I’m sure you’ve enjoyed watching the WMHT documentary “Charles R. Wood: A Storied Life.” It’s a great piece about the history of the man who created Storytown U.S.A. / The Great Escape, as well as creating Gaslight Village, the HH Ranch, all those great businesses and entertainment spots throughout the Adirondacks. And since…
Read MoreFrontier Town buildings could be demolished soon
If there was any hope of restoring the closed Frontier Town amusement park to any sort of former glory… this news pretty much quashed that hope. According to the upstate New York website Sun Community News, legislators have discussed with the Essex County Board of Supervisors the need to demolish and dismantle the original remaining…
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Dream Window 18: Friday Night Fish Fry
I’ve previously built Dream Windows that featured the Capital District’s iconographic artwork and architecture. Dream Window #5: The Thirst Quencher captured the Coca-Cola advertisement in Schenectady, for example. Now comes a new challenge – to build a Dream Window based on a disappearing Capital District advertising sign… and to make that sign dance once more,…
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