Verdoy, New York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Verdoy
hamlet
Verdoy Location in New York
Country	United States
State	New York
Region	Capital District
County	Albany
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	12110
Area code(s)	518

Verdoy, once called Watervliet Center, is a small community known as a hamlet. It is part of the town of Colonie in Albany County, New York, United States.

Verdoy is very close to the Albany International Airport. Because of this, much of the area is in a special zone called the Airport Noise Overlay District. This means homes and buildings in Verdoy can experience noise from planes. The airport's main runway was recently made longer, bringing it even closer to the hamlet.

The old Troy and Schenectady Railroad line runs along Verdoy's northern edge, near the Mohawk River. This old railroad path is now a fun trail called the Mohawk Hudson Hike/Bike Trail. It's a great place for walking and biking.

History of Verdoy: A Changing Community

Verdoy has a rich history, with many changes over the years. From its early days as a small settlement to adapting to modern developments, the community has seen a lot.

Early Days and Names of Verdoy

In 1835, a man named Lewis Morris came to the area, which was then known as Watervliet Center. He became the second postmaster and built important places like a hotel, a store, and several shops. For a while, the hamlet was even called Morrisville in his honor.

Roads and Development in Verdoy

In 1991, New York State Department of Transportation made NY Route 7 wider. They added a 12-foot (3.7 m) center turning lane. This project stretched for about 6.4 miles (10.3 km). To make way for the wider road, nine homes and two businesses were taken down.

Verdoy and the Airport's Growth

Being so close to Albany International Airport has greatly shaped Verdoy. The airport's growth has led to some big changes for the community.

Homes Affected by Airport Noise

Starting in 1981, the Albany County Airport began buying homes in Verdoy. These were houses that had high noise levels from the airport. By 1992, 22 of these homes were taken down. This helped reduce the impact of airport noise on residents.

Moving Historic Buildings in Verdoy

To save important parts of its history, several buildings in Verdoy have been moved. This was done to protect them from new developments and airport noise.

• The Buhrmaster Barn: This barn was first built in 1760 near the Mohawk River. It burned down in the late 1800s but was rebuilt, keeping many original features like a Dutch door and wooden pegs. In 1915, when the New York State Barge Canal changed the river's edge, the barn was rolled uphill using horses and logs! It was moved again in 1988 to the Pruyn House historical site, where it stands today.
• The Verdoy Schoolhouse: Built in 1910, this was a simple one-room school. It taught local children until 1958. After that, the North Colonie Central School District used it for storage. In 1995, the school district gave the building to the town of Colonie. For the town's 100th birthday, the school was moved to the Pruyn House in Newtonville. Now, it's a museum where people can learn about old school days.

Verdoy Fire Department's New Home

The airport's growth also affected the Verdoy Volunteer Fire Department. In 1998, the airport bought their firehouse on Route 7. The fire department then rented it back for just $1.00 a year.

The old station, which was 8,000 square feet (740 m2), became too small. The department needed a bigger building for a new ladder truck. This truck was needed for the taller buildings being built in the area, like the airport's control tower and a new Hilton hotel. In 2000, the fire department moved to a much larger 21,500 square foot (2,000 m2) building further down the road.

Geography of Verdoy

Verdoy is a hamlet, which means it's a small community without exact boundaries. However, people generally agree on its location.

Where is Verdoy Located?

Verdoy is mainly found along New York State Route 7. It is west of the Colonie hamlet of Latham. It sits between the Albany International Airport to the south and the Mohawk River to the north.

	Town of Niskayuna Hamlet of Rosendale	Mohawk River
		Hamlet of Verdoy
		Albany International Airport	Hamlet of Latham

Community Services in Verdoy

The Verdoy Volunteer Fire Department provides important services to the hamlet and nearby areas, including the Albany International Airport.

Verdoy Volunteer Fire Department

This fire department serves about 7,500 people (as of 2000). They cover an area of about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) within the town of Colonie. They are dedicated to keeping the community safe.