Introduction to Troy, New York
Troy is located in the western portion of Rensselaer County, situated on the east bank of the Hudson River. The city of Albany is nearby. Troy is recognized as the terminus for the New York Barge Canal and is considered to be a major distribution center. Troy city is surrounded by countryside and is home to numerous historic Victorian style buildings.
History
The area was included in the Van Rensselaer Grant of 1629. The region was named Troy in 1789 after the city of Troy featured in Homer's Iliad. Troy was recognized as a village in 1801 and was established as a city in 1816. During a significant portion of the 19th century and continuing to the early stages of the 20th century Troy was considered to be one of the wealthiest cities in the country. A primary factor regarding the prosperity of Troy was the steel industry.
Troy was also a major center for the production of shirts. The vast labor force that was necessary for the shirt industry led to the creation of the first female labor union. The prosperity of Troy significantly declined due to the iron and steel companies moving to Pennsylvania. A decline in the shirt industry was also a noteworthy factor. When Prohibition was established, Troy became a significant part of the trading of illegal alcohol from Canada to New York City.
Troy was the home of legendary Samuel Wilson, better known as Uncle Sam, the human symbol of the United States of America.
Events
Troy is host to the Troy Flag Day Parade which is recognized as one of the largest of its kind in the country. The River Street Festival features arts and crafts and a variety of music and occurs in June on a yearly basis. "Troy Night Out" occurs in the downtown area once a month. Restaurants feature live music, galleries and shops are open late. The downtown area is filled with people having a good time. Other events in Troy include:
- The Uncle Sam Parade
- The Classics Project
- The Victorian Stroll
Landmarks
A variety of landmarks are located in the Troy city area including:
- Oakwood Cemetery
- Country Club of Troy
- Houston Field House
- Troy Savings Music Hall
- Troy Public Library
Higher Education
Troy city is home to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Hudson Valley Community College. RPI is a private research university and was established in 1824. The institute is recognized for achievements in transferring technological developments from the laboratory to the marketplace.
