During the nineteenth century, Albany developed as a banking, transportation and industrial center. Today, because of its location, history and political significance, Albany is architecturally rich. Buildings here indicate Albany's early Dutch past, its transportation and banking importance and its political significance. This neighborhood designation explores the buildings that house the political, administrative and educational interests of New York State. This area of the city was developed in the nineteenth century as Albany expanded with westward migration of New Engladers and immigration from abroad.
Buildings here are residential examples of Albany's prosperous late nineteenth century.
The Erie Canal entered the Hudson River in this section of Albany, encouraging the lumber business and bringing residents associated with canal and lumber enterprises. Because of its proximity to the Erie Canal and the railroad, this area of the city was a center of industrial activity. The invention of the streetcar made possible the western expansion of Albany. As people could live further from the city center, Central, Western and Washington Avenues developed. This section of the city expanded in the first half of the twentieth century and developed along the former Delaware Turnpike which joined Whitehall Road, the location of the British staff headquarters during the French an Indian War.