The City of Schenectady is no stranger to fires. Every school child learns of the destruction of the fledgling village in February 1690 at the hands of the French and their Native American allies. Many know the story of the Great Fire of 1819, which started in a currying shop (where the stretching and finishing of tanned leather was carried out) on Water Street, was spread by strong winds in a northeastern direction, and ultimately destroyed most of the buildings in city west of Church Street from Water Street to the Mohawk River.
The Schenectady Fire of 1861 however, marked a turning point in fire containment as the city’s hose and ladder companies, assisted by fire crews and equipment from Albany, Troy, and Amsterdam. [Read more…] about The Schenectady Fire of 1861
