A Little History - West Troy was never part of Troy

Surprise !
Most people think that the Village of West Troy, NY was part of the City of Troy, NY.
In fact, the Village of West Troy, the Town of Watervliet, the Village of Green Island, Cohoes and all lands on the west side of the Hudson River were never part of Troy. The mistake is common and comes primarily from what the name " West Troy" infers.
In 1788 the Town of Watervliet was about 60 square miles in size and included most of current Albany County. The Town of Watervliet included and encompassed the current City of Watervliet (West Troy, Gibbonsville and Port Schuyler) , the Town of Colonie, the Town of Guilderland, Green Island, Cohoes, most of the City of Albany (except Fort Orange area), Rensselaerville, and Niskayua. From 1800 to 1896 these and other villages and hamlets partition and annexed from the Town of Watervliet to form their own municipalities. In 1896 the Town of Colonie and the Village of Green Island were partitioned and the Village of West Troy became the City of Watervliet.
Watervliet was never part of the City of Troy, BUT, has always been a "little sister" affected by Troy's close proximity and in many ways was influenced by the same winds of fortune as the Collar City.

History lets us know where we have been and provides ideas for positive change for the future.
So,

Why is Watervliet Not Part of Troy Now?
Would not the combining of the Cities cut costs to the Taxpayers?
One Police Dept, one Fire Dept, no duplicate bureaucracy.
Watervliet is 10,000 persons - Troy is 45,000 persons
55,000 is still a small city ....Combining makes sense

Why not! (politicians maybe)

WATERVLIET, NEW YORK -OLD TO NEW

We know that the City of Watervliet, NY is a old industrial city in the heart of the Capital District of New York State. First settled in the 1600's Watervliet played an important part of the development of the region during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries and because of it's geographic location, the impact of the Erie Canal in the 1820's and because of Watervliet role in the American Industrial Revolution due to it's proximity to Troy, Albany and Schenectady - the Town of Watervliet flourished.

Watervliet's golden years were prior to the 1950's and 1960's before the populations shifted to the undeveloped suburbs and, when the industry, manufacturing and railroad commerce were the economic juggernauts of the region.



Things have changed.




Business opportunities changed, career and business opportunities developed in other areas of the region and county and families grew and moved. Through it all the feeling of Watervliet as "a hometown" has not changed. A close knit community continues. People are still neighborly. On warm summer evenings people still sit on the "front stoop" and visit with the family next store.


This blog is intended to provide a place where people can post their thoughts on any issue in connection with the City of Watervliet, NY including; historical notes, business and development in the community, observations, ideas and thoughts on community problems, quality of life issues, and any other constructive thoughts germane to the topic.

What is on your minds?

IS IT : the Cannoneers chances next season; the state of education in the community; a new business doing well in town, development of the Arsenal into a viable business center or high tech industrial campus, or something political, ideological or just some hometown news - let us know...