Union Street Historic District (Schenectady, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Union Street Historic District
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Walter McQueen House, ca. 1887, at 613 Union, with flanking houses from 1850s, 2008
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Schenectady, NY |
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| Area | 65 acres (26 ha) |
| Built | 19th century |
| Architectural style | Various 19th-century styles |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001268 |
| Added to NRHP | 1982 |
The Union Street Historic District is a special area in Schenectady, New York. It stretches for about two miles (3.2 km) along Union Street. This district includes 184 buildings across 65 acres (26 ha) of land.
During the 1800s, Schenectady grew a lot. The city expanded along Union Street, which was a main road to the east. As the city became more industrial, it moved beyond its old center near the Mohawk River. In 1982, this area was officially recognized as a historic district. It was then added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Exploring the Union Street Historic District
The Union Street Historic District starts near the old New York Central Railroad tracks. These tracks are now used by Amtrak and CSX trains. The district begins close to the train station. It then goes eastward to Phoenix Avenue. This is just before NY 146 joins Union Street.
The district includes specific addresses on both sides of the street. It covers numbers 306-1364 on the south side. On the north side, it includes numbers 307-1355. A few small parts of Nott Terrace and Union Avenue are also part of the district.
Union College's Influence on the District
Union College is located about one-third of the way through the district. This college greatly shaped how the area developed. It also divides the district based on its history and how the land is used.
West of the college, closer to downtown Schenectady, you'll find older buildings. This part is near the Stockade Historic District, which is the oldest neighborhood in the city. Here, buildings are a mix of shops, public buildings, and homes built before 1850. Most of these are made of brick.
East of Union College, the street becomes mostly residential. Houses here are usually made of wood. They were built in Victorian styles during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Only twelve buildings in the entire district are not considered part of its historic character.
History of Union Street's Growth
Schenectady was founded in the 1600s by Dutch settlers. It started as a trading post for dealing with the Iroquois tribes. After the American Revolution, it stayed a small village. It was not much bigger than the current Stockade District.
Two big events in the early 1800s changed this. First, Union College moved to its current campus in 1814. Before that, it was in a different building. Nine years later, the Erie Canal was finished. This brought more trade and people through the city. Railroads also started to develop, adding to the growth.
How Union Street Became a Main Road
The city's growth followed the old toll road that is now Union Street. This road connected Schenectady with Watervliet and Troy to the east. At first, the growth was linked to Union College. The college owned land on the north side of Union Street. It divided this land into smaller plots for people to build homes.
To make sure visitors could see the college's new campus, the president, Eliphalet Nott, made a rule. Houses built between Barrett Street and Seward Place had to be set back about 20 feet (6.1 m) from the road. This allowed clear views of the campus. This rule is still visible today. This area has some important buildings, like the college president's home at 709 Union.
Industrial Growth and New Buildings
In 1848, the Schenectady Locomotive Works was built. This led to many new homes for workers. Buildings like Mercy Hospital (614 Union) and the German Methodist Church (404 Union) were also built. These were closer to Erie Boulevard.
John Ellis, the president of the locomotive company, built his large home at 802 Union. This helped make the eastern blocks a popular place for wealthy families to live. After he passed away, his family sold some of his land. Part of it was used to build St. John the Evangelist Church. This church has a unique steel-and-glass spire. The old Ellis mansion is now the church's rectory.
General Electric's Impact
The last big reason for Union Street's growth was General Electric. This company started when Thomas Edison moved his machine works to Schenectady in 1886. General Electric became a top maker of electric appliances. Many of its leaders built homes along Union Street. The company had even electrified the streetcar line there.
By the 1920s, the city's eastern edge reached Phoenix Avenue. The Great Depression then stopped most new building. Construction started again later, but in different styles. The Union Street Historic District still looks much like it did in the 1920s. Not many new buildings have been added since then.
Protecting the Historic District
The City of Schenectady has five local historic districts. The Union Street Historic District is one of them. It is overseen by the city's Historic Commission. This group has seven members and meets once a month. If you want to make changes to a historic property in the district, and those changes can be seen from a public street, the commission must approve them.
Important Buildings in the District
None of the buildings in the Union Street Historic District are listed on the National Register by themselves. However, some are very important to the district's history and look.
- President's House, 709 Union Street. This is a two-story home built around 1860. It is in the Gothic Revival style. It might have been built for Eliphalet Nott. Today, it is the home for the president of Union College.
- General Francis Fisk House, 711 Union Street. This wooden house was built around 1840. It is in the Greek Revival style. It is one of the oldest houses in the district west of downtown.
- St. John the Evangelist Church, 814 Union Street. Built in 1899, this church has a very special 230-foot (70 m) steel-and-glass spire. From the front, you can see the college's Nott Memorial. The old Ellis mansion next door is now the church's rectory.
- Willis Hanson Estate, 821 Union Street and 20½ Union Avenue. This is a three-story estate built in 1888. It is in the Queen Anne style. It also includes a carriage house from 1900. It was built for a rich local businessman.
