Troy NY and the Burden Iron Works

On a weekday visit upstate to check on my mother I decided to take an excursion into Troy rather than mountain bike as the weather turned cloudy and gray.

Troy has been on a major revival for a couple of years now - when growing up (quite few years back now!!) I remember it was pretty funky!

River Road

I kicked off my tour at a charming little Lebanese Restaurant on River Road in the Antiques district. Its a family-run business and the owner was extremely gracious and sweet!

Pleasant colorful cafes and art galleries have revitalized the charming brownstones and there’s a wonderful sense of a respect for history here.

Down at the waterfront, the backsides of the buildings hinted at their former industrial and commercial origins.

Note - Missing Stairway?

The Uncle Sam Bikeway thru this section is very urban and seems to be still under construction.

There are Hudson River tour boats moored here as well.

My drive around downtown revealed an amazing amount of stunning historical brick and stone architecture.

Relics of its Railroad past

"Through much of the 19th and into the early 20th century, Troy was not only one of the most prosperous cities in New York State, but one of the most prosperous cities in the entire country. Troy's one-time great wealth was produced in the steel industry. When the iron and steel industry moved west to Pennsylvania and beyond, Troy's prosperity began to fade." -Wikipedia

Be sure to click for a close up

Lastly, after driving thru South Troy and noting the relics of former industry...

Getting refurbished or ready for demolition?

Foundations of a former large factory

Looks like an old Freight House

End of track going north but back as late as 1950, it continued on northward

Still active industry

Good for the rails or the road!

Burden Iron Works Museum

...I checked out the Burden Iron Works Museum. I was lucky enough to catch the director Michael P. Barrett just about to leave who graciously gave me a ten minute whirlwind tour. It was amazing!!

Who knew that so many complex iron items are were made in Troy?!  South Troy made:

• the most powerful vertical water wheel in history
• the modern horseshoe, made at the rate of nearly a million a week
• the lion’s share of the bells cast in the New World
• and much, much more...

Outside in the museum's yard were more impressive relics...

Remnants of the Burden Iron Works

This photo--taken inside the museum (hence the reflections on the glass)--shows the extent of the Burden Iron Works back in its heyday.

Here's what's left :-(...

Leaving Troy - Green Island

From the old to the new - the bridge to Green Island was impressive!

Ah - it warms the heart to see an old freight station preserved and being reused for something else!
Green Island Freight House - Historical Photo > 

Further Info

• Burden Iron Works Museum 
• Lost Landmarks: Rensselaer Iron Works Trial by Fire
• Burden Iron Works
• Troy - 19th Century America’s Silicon Valley
• Our Town: Troy (Video - WMHT)