Trail markers detail impact of ALCO
SCHENECTADY — New trail signs paid for by the Schenectady County Legislature will celebrate the history of the American Locomotive Company on a two-mile bike/hike trail on the Schenectady waterfront.
From 1847 to 1969, the ALCO plant built some of the world’s biggest locomotives. Its tanks played a major role in helping the U.S. win World War II, a county press announcement states. The former ALCO site is now home to the $500 million Mohawk Harbor development.
The signs mark milestones in the history of the company including the first passenger railroad in the U.S., from Albany to Schenectady.
The Alco Heritage Trail runs from River Street, through Mohawk Harbor, and under Freeman’s Bridge where the trail runs up Maxon Road and connects with the state’s Canalway Trail.
‘Macabre’ stories featured at state site
VAILSGATE—A “theatrical presentation of the macabre” will be presented at the 1754 Ellison house at Knox’s Headquarters Historic Site on Oct. 20.
Performances at the
289 Forge Hill Road, Vails Gate, site will be every 45 minutes between 7 and 10:445 p.m.
Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call 845-561-1765, Ext. 22.
Horse influenza discussion topic
FORT HUNTER — Travis Bowman, senior curator at the state Bureau of Historic Sites, will be giving a talk titled: “Epizooty! The Great Horse Influenza and the Erie Canal,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25.
The talk will be preceded by a brief meeting of the Friends of Schoharie Crossing. Refreshments will be served following the talk. All are welcome. This program will be held in the Enders House adjacent to the Schoharie Crossing Visitor Center at 129 Schoharie St.
For more information call 518-829-7516, email: Schohariecrossing@ parks.ny.gov, or visit the Facebook page Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site.
Tavern fundraiser, tours set for Oct. 13
ST. JOHNSVILLE —
The Palatine Settlement Society’s annual “Afternoon at the Tavern” will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13 at the historic 1747 tavern on Route 5.
Beer and cider will be provided by Wolf Hollow and Rogers Cidery. Soup and bread will also be served. Tickets, available in advance, are $15 per person with a limited number of tickets available at the door.
Proceeds will help fund continued restoration of the tavern and homestead. The stenciling project, now on display, highlights the original patterns that decorated some of the walls of the Nellis home during the early 1800s.
Tours will be conducted. For information or tickets call 518-568-2997 or 518842-6400. Compiled by Tim Blydenburgh
For expanded versions of these articles, and more about the region’s history, see the Times Union’s history blog: https://blog.timesunion. com/history