Editorial Note: This timeline was created for the Schenectady County Historical Society around 1920. The original compiler is unknown. We will add more information as we have time. Thanks to Ann Kidalowski and Ida Lapi for data entry help. The compiler's introduction follows:

The compiler is indebted to the vast files and records of Alonzo P. Walton, of No. 26 Front Street, for a large proportion of the material contained in the historical sections of this work, and this indebtedness is hereby gratefully acknowledged.

It may appear from a perusal of the following that undue heed has been given to the events transpiring in the decade beginning 1880, but the compiler feels that the fact that Schenectady experienced its greatest impetus through events transpiring during that decade, warrants him in giving more extended notice to these years than to any other. Schenectady was "born again" in the 1880s - it ceased to be "Old Dorp, the town with a fence around it and a ceiling overhead."

1620
Arent Van Curler, founder of Schenectady, was born at Nijkerk, Holland.
1642
Arent Van Curler made his first visit to the site of Schenectady.
1655
Alexander Lindsay Glen, an exiled Scotchman, secured a patent to extensive land on the north side of the Mohawk River, opposite Schenectady.
1658
Glen erected a big mansion on the bank of the river opposite Schenectady.
1661
July 18: Arent Van Curler, the leader of the men interested in the settlement of Schenectady, appeared before the Council of State and applied for permission to purchase the necessary land from the Indians, and also appealed for a patent from the government.
July 27: The deed for the lands of Schenectady was executed with the Indians, and Van Curler's petition was granted.
1662
Van Curler and his party of pioneers took possession of the land.
1663
The first inn or tavern was erected on the southwest corner of Mill Lane and State Street by Cornelius Viele.
1664
Gov. Stuyvesant ordered lands surveyed and apportioned among settlers.
1666
First grist mill erected on Mill Lane by Sweer Teunise Van Velsen.
1667
Van Curler lost his life by drowning in Lake Champlain.
1672
An additional lot of land was transferred by Indians to the settlers of Schenectady, the consideration being 400 hands of wampum, 30 barrels of lead, three bags of powder, three aukers of good beer, and one koate of duffels.
The widow of Arent Van Curler was given the exclusive right to sell liquor to the Indians.
1676
Van Curler's widow died.
1682
The first regular pastor was called to the Dutch Church - Dominie Perrus Tassemaker.
1684
A patent was granted to the people of Schenectady.
The First Dutch Church was erected at the intersection of State, Church and Water Streets with the financial aid of Alexander Lindsay Glen, who was a Scotch Presbyterian.
1690
On the night of February 8, the settlement of Schenectady was attacked by a force of French and Indians from the north. The people were slaughtered and the village burned. The histories record it as "The Massacre of Schenectady." Sixty residents were killed and 27 made prisoners. Many others lost their lives from exposure incurred during their flight to Albany on foot in their night clothing.
1700
The second pastor was called to fill the pulpit of the First Dutch Church, vacant since the slaying of Dominie Tassemaker in the massacre of 1690. Rev. Bernardus Freeman took up the pastorate.
1703
A new church was erected on the site of the first one.
1705
Queen's Fort was erected at corner of Front, Green and Ferry Streets.
1706
Johannes Sanderse Glen ran a "brew house" on Washington Avenue - the first institution of its kind in the city.
1710
Rev. Thomas Barclay opened a school in Schenectady.
1711
Lambert Steenberg carried wheat to Schoharie in the berry for the first time in history.
1713
Major John H. Glen built the present Sanders mansion in Scotia.
1715
Schenectady became the foot of navigation on the Mohawk River.
1719
February 19: Ryer Schermerhorn, an early Schenectady patroon who made the historic ride to Albany on horseback the night of the massacre in 1690, died.
1734
The Reformed Church was erected on Church Street at its juncture with Union Street.
1735
Queen's Fort was rebuilt on a more substantial foundation.
1736
There was a bridge in existence at this time over the Poenties Kil, about two miles west of Schenectady. It was called variously Johannes Teller's Bridge or The Third Bridge.
1746
Simon Groot and two brothers were killed by Indians three miles west of Schenectady.
1748
Beukandaal ambuscade and massacre west of the city.
1759
The foundation of St. George's Church on Ferry Street was begun.
1763
April 3: The first regular mail arrived from New York.
April 11: Residents of Schenectady petitioned for a charter.
1765
Charter granted to Schenectady by Lieutenant Governor Cadwalder Golden. Isaac Vrooman was named therein as Mayor.
1767
There was a bridge in existence over the Cowhorn Creek on State Street, between Centre and Jay Streets.
1768
A ferry was established at the foot of Ferry Street.
1769
First Presbyterian Church begun.
1770
Frame of First Presbyterian Church was raised.
Rev. Alex. Miller opened a school in the city.
1771
The First Presbyterian Church was erected and occupied here; location unknown.
Rev. William Andrews instituted school sessions.
1773
John Lambert opened a private school.
1774
August 6: The Shakers, who afterward formed a colony east of the city, arrived in New York.
September 14: St. George's Masonic Lodge was founded with Christopher Yates as first Master and the following members: John Hughan, Benjamin Hilton, Jr., Robert Clench, John A. Bradt, Arent N. Van Patten, Cornelius Van Dyck and Robert Alexander. The first meeting was held in the tavern of Robert Clench, corner of State and Church Streets.
1775
May 6: a committee of safety was appointed.
May 27: Three companies were ordered formed for home defense and a censor was established on persons and mail bound up the valley toward Johnstown at the three ferries across the river here.
Alexander White, sheriff of Tryon County, threatened with arrest, fled to Johnstown and thence to Canada.
Capt. Van Dyck and his company were ordered to Lake George.
1776
January 14: Capt. John Mynderse and company started for Albany on sleds.
February 7: Joseph Kingley was sent to Albany under guard and interned for his Tory sentiments.
The Shakers founded a colony east of the city.
1777
A regiment of Continental soldiers was quartered at Schenectady for the winter.
Gen. George Washington made his first visit to Schenectady and was entertained as the guest of John Glen.
1778
First celebration of Independence Day in Schenectady. An old condemned cannon, abandoned for twenty years on the flats of Glenville, was dug out of the silt and dragged on a stone boat to the corner of State Street and Washington Avenue. Here it was mounted on logs, loaded for a sunset salute and a cartridge box placed over the muzzle to increase the noise. A soldier named Lindley was detailed to fire it. He did. The cannon exploded and Lindley was killed.
Because of the Tory sentiments of Robert Clench, St. George's Masonic Lodge moved from the Clench Tavern to the home of Abram Y. Truax.
1779
St. George's Masonic Lodge moved to the home of John A. Bradt.
1781
The body of Sir Walter Butler, noted Tory leader, is said to have been buried alongside of St. George's Church.
1782
George Washington paid a second visit to Schenectady and was entertained by a distinguished gathering of citizens at Clench's Tavern, corner of State, Church, Water Streets, and Mill Lane.
St. George's Masonic Lodge began meeting at the home of the widow of Robert Clench and at the Coffee House of Mr. Hudson.
1785
The Schenectady Academy was established in a building at the corner of Union and Ferry Streets.
The stage line between Albany and New York made its initial trip.
1786
George Washington made his third and last visit to Schenectady.
1788
March 1: The Legislature passed the first law relating to protection from fire in Schenectady.
The first fire department for Schenectady was organized under borough ordinance.
1790
The Masonic Lodge bought the property of Claus Van de Volgen on State Street, where the overhead railroad crossing is now.
1792
Stoves were used for the first time in the First Reformed Church. Prior to that time each worshipper carried live coals to church in his own "furnace," a metal receptacle handled like a pail.
1795
The Rev. John Blair Smith of Philadelphia was elected first president of Union College.
John Ellis, founder of locomotive building in Schenectady, was born.
1796
The Mohawk Mercury was issued by Wykoff, Printer, with offices at the corner of State and Washington Streets.
1797
The first bridge was constructed across the Mohawk River at the point where the highway bridge now stands. It was blown over before completion and rebuilt in 1803.
The trustees of the village of Schenectady placed an order for two hand fire engines with a London firm.
Noted lawyer Alonzo C. Paige was born at Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County. He died in 1868.
1798
March 26: The state legislature granted a charter to the City of Schenectady, stipulating that mayors be appointed by the governor and council.
The Common Council held its first meeting in the Schenectady Academy building.
Two fire companies were organized in the village of Schenectady and an ordinance was passed requiring the mayor and all aldermen to attend and direct operations at all fires.
A nomadic tribe of uncertain blood mixtures, known as the Yanses, settled in dug-outs on "Albany Hill." This tribe was gradually assimilated through marriage with the people of the vicinity and finally disappeared entirely.
1799
The original streets of Schenectady were laid out and renamed. Niskayuna Street then became Union Street, Maiden Lane became Centre Street, Fonda Street became Water Street, and Albany Path became State Street.
Rev. Jonathan Edwards became the president of Union College.
John Glen and John Peck were placed in command of fire fighting organizations in the village.
The first move was made to get a water supply for the city. A franchise was granted to Henry R. Teller, Richard Rosa and Remsen R. Teller to tap springs for this purpose. The work was never undertaken.
J. L. Stevenson began publication of the Schenectady Gazette at the corner of State and Ferry Streets.
December 24: Upon receipt of the news in Schenectady of the death of George Washington, the church bells were tolled for two hours and the aldermen donned mourning clothes for a period of thirty days.
1800
The first hearse to be used in the city arrived for the use of the First Reformed Church.
The City Seal (still in use) was engraved at a cost of $11.
1801
Rev. Jonathan Edwards, president of Union College, died.
Prof. Tayler Lewis, a famed authority on Greek and Oriental Biblical literature and a member of the Union College faculty for thirty years, was born.
Schenectady Gazette changed to Western Spectator and Schenectady Weekly Advertiser.
Rice Beach was paid $12 to adjust the town clock and guarantee his work for ten years.
1803
Montgomery Street was laid out and the name changed to Barrett Street.
1804
Prof. Isaac W. Jackson, a prominent member of the Union College faculty and an expert mathematician, was born.
Dr. Eliphalet Nott was made president of Union College.
The running time of the stage line between Albany and New York reduced to three days and the fare fixed at eight dollars.
1806
Abraham A. Van Voast, city mayor 1852-53, 1869-70 and 1881-82, was born.
1807
Stage lines from Albany to New York suspended service in the summer owing to the opening of steam navigation on the Hudson River.
Van Vechten and Son, at No. 10 Union Street, issued the Western Budget.
March 13: The Mohawk Bank was chartered.
The Western Speculator and Schenectady Advertiser discontinued.
Ryer Schermerhorn began issuing the Mohawk Advertiser.
1808
Bridge across the Mohawk at Washington Avenue was rebuilt on piers designed by Theodore Burr, which are still in use as supports for the present Scotia Bridge.
April 21: Mohawk Bank opened for business.
1809
March 7: Schenectady County was established by the New York State Legislature, by a division of Albany County. Hon. Gerrit S. Vedder was the first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, William J. Teller, first surrogate; Peter F. Vedder, first county clerk; and Joseph V. S. Riley the first sheriff. The first session of the General Sessions was opened May 9.
June 3: The cornerstone was laid for the First Presbyterian Church edifice now standing.
April: The First Methodist Church was erected at the corner of Liberty and Canal Streets.
October 3: First meeting of the County's Board of Supervisors.
1810
June 11: The first Medical Society was formed in Schenectady.
The Western Budget became the Schenectady Cabinet.
The turnpike from Schenectady to Albany was stoned and graded.
1811
Dr. Andrew Truax, a prominent resident and philanthropist, was born in Schenectady.
Union College issued The Floriad.
1812
Union College bought the tract of land on which the college is located.
Gen. Holland raised a company of men for war.
The construction of North and South buildings of Union College was begun. Both buildings were completed by 1820.
1813
D. Cady Smith, an influential resident of Schenectady for 70 years, was born.
Prof. Jonathan Pearson, a recognized authority on Schenectady history and famed as an educator, was born.
1814
The First Hook and Ladder Company was organized and the first superintendent of the fire department was appointed.
Cadwallader C. Clute, member of a famous firm of Schenectady foundrymen and machinists, was born.
The Reformed Church was erected at the corner of Union and Church Streets.
1815
A heavy artillery company was recruited in the village of Schenectady with John Benson as captain. A rifle company with Henry Miller in command was also recruited.
Four volunteer fire companies were organized in Schenectady.
1816
June 9: Ice formed, sleighs were in use and the leaves fell from the trees as in autumn.
June 17: A big blizzard left 12 to 18 inches of snow.
July 4: Ice formed as "thick as window glass."
The Common Council moved its meeting chambers to the Union School building, at the corner of Union and College Streets.
1817
Moses Viney, Dr. Eliphalet Nott's noted black valet, was born in Talbot County, Maryland.
Eight night watchmen constituted the city's police force.
1818
The Lancaster School was opened in a building on College Street near Union Street.
Nicholas I. Schermerhorn, leading broom corn producer and broom manufacturer in the Mohawk Valley, was born in Duanesburgh.
1819
Hon. Charles Stanford, promoter of many public utilities here, was born. He was a state assemblyman in 1864-65 and state senator from 1866 to 1869.
November: A big fire totally wiped out the then business district of the city on Washington Avenue along the banks of the Binnekill. One hundred buildings were destroyed.
1820
A company of soldiers was organized under command of Simon Glen.
The charter of the city was altered, making mayors appointive under the Common Council.
The Mohawk Bank building was erected on the northwest corner of Union and Church Streets, on the site of the home of Arent Van Curler.
A brewery was erected on Dock Street.
1822
The First Baptist Church organization was formed in Schenectady.
The original charter of St. George's Masonic Lodge was surrendered and a new charter was issued. The former was the last of the old English charters to be surrendered.
1823
Isaac Riggs began publication of the Miscellaneous Cabinet.
1824
From an office on Ferry Street, G. Ritchie, Jr. started to publish the Mohawk Sentinel.
1825
The Erie Canal was opened to traffic and Gen. Lafayette visited Schenectady, coming from Syracuse as a guest of the Masons, by canal.
The first "double-deck" fire engine was placed in service. It was purchased in Philadelphia.
Joseph Consaul formed a cavalry company with himself as captain.
1826
The Mohawk and Hudson River Railroad was chartered.
1827
Union College issued The Students' Album.
1828
The fire department of Schenectady incorporated.
1829
Gen. William Featherstonhaugh, the father of American railroads and the first experimental scientific farmer in this section, lost his mansion on Featherstonhaugh Lake by fire. In the blaze, many art treasures were destroyed.
1830
A high constable was appointed and given supervision over the city's night watchmen and the constables in the wards.
Reed Brothers started a malt house on Dock Street.
St. John's Roman Catholic parish was founded by the Rev. Charles Smith.
July 29: Construction of the first passenger railroad in America was begun between Albany and Schenectady.
The Governor's Guard was organized under the command of Capt. A. Briggs.
The Protestant Sentinel was published by Rev. John Maxon at 39 State Street.
C. G. and A. Palmer began printing theSchenectady County Whig.
1831
August 3: "DeWitt Clinton," the first steam locomotive, made the initial trip over the first passenger line in the United States from Crane Street Hill, Schenectady (then known as Prospect Hill) to Lydius Street, Albany. The distance of twelve and one-half miles was made in one hour and forty-five minutes.
September 22: The line was formally opened.
Packet lines were in operation on the Erie Canal between Schenectady and Utica, making the trip in 24 hours. Other lines ran from here to Charlotte, Ontario Beach, Niagara Falls, Geneva, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
City officers took up headquarters in the new court house on Union Street.
New York State merged all Schenectady military companies into a brigade known as the Fourteenth.
1832
A steam railroad between Schenectady and Saratoga was opened, with a terminus at State, Water and Railroad Streets. Cars were drawn by horses, through a series of subways under State Street, Union Street, Front Street and across the bridge to the Glenville side, where locomotives awaited and took the train to Saratoga.
A plague of Asiatic cholera struck Schenectady. There were many deaths and funerals were held almost hourly. Dr. John S. L. Tornnelier was the health officer in charge.
Hon. Judson S. Landon, a jurist and statesman of recognized worth, was born.
1833
Israel Sackett began publication of the Schenectady and Saratoga Standard at 96 Washington Avenue.
Hermanus Peek was named as the first recorder of the city.
Lancaster School building was sold to Dr. Nott and became part of Union College.
The Censor was issued by Union College.
1834
Lancaster School opened in a new building on College Street.
William H. Burleigh and Isaac Riggs issued The Wreath and The Literary Journal.
Jesse and Daniel Stone began publication of the Schenectady Weekly Star.
The First Presbyterian Church enlarged.
Schenectady Savings Bank was chartered.
1835
Riggs and Norris began publishing The Mohawker.
A steam railroad was built from Schenectady to Utica.
The Reflector and Schenectady Democrat made its appearance. It was published by Giles F. Yates at the corner of State Street and Mill Lane.
St. George's Masonic Lodge suspends all meetings except once each year through the Morgan raid period.
The Schenectady Lyceum was established at the corner of Union and Yates Streets.
1836
Jabez Ward tapped a small spring at Veeder Avenue and distributed water to the city through hollow wooden logs by gravity.
H. S. Barney entered the dry goods business here with Sidney B. Potter.
1838
July 4: A quantity of fireworks and explosives were loaded on a canal boat and towed to the basin just south of the State Street bridge. On the boat was a crowd of men and boys. An erratic water rocket dropped into the explosives, setting them off. Many were burned and three lost their lives.
The Schenectady Bank was established on State Street, near Church Street.
1839
St. John's Church was erected on Franklin Street by the Rev. Father Patrick McCloskey.
1840
The famous Clute foundry and machine shop was started in a building along the canal opposite the New York Central train sheds and near the Liberty Street canal bridge. This concern made engines for canal packets and attained fame through the manufacture of the engine for the "Monitor" of Civil War prominence.
Moses Viney, a fugitive slave from the South, arrived in Schenectady and became coachman and valet for Dr. Eliphalet Nott, President of Union College. He lived here all the rest of his fifty years. He was a man held in high esteem.
The office of mayor was made elective and Alexander C. Gibson was named by the people.
An artillery company formed under the command of Capt. John Robinson.
1841
H. S. Barney joined the dry goods enterprise of John Ohlen and Company.
A mutual fire insurance company was formed here under the title of "The Schenectady County Insurance Co."
The locomotive took trains to the station on State Street for the first time.
1842
August 5: The first Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was organized in Schenectady. It was called the Mohawk Valley Lodge.
A police justice was appointed.
A Young Ladies' Seminary was opened on Liberty Street.
1843
April 4: The original New York Central station caught fire, and with it was destroyed the Givens Hotel, the hotel barns and sheds, Banker's tobacco factory, Asa Sprague's storehouse, the railroad engine house and the blacksmith shop.
A steam railroad line from Schenectady to Troy was constructed.
The first railroad station on State Street destroyed by fire.
1844
Meetings of the Masonic Lodge resumed in the Lyceum School building, corner of Union and Yates Streets.
1845
Rev. William Arthur, father of President Chester A. Arthur, began the publication of The Antiquarian and General Review in Schenectady.
Henry Rosa introduced coal into Schenectady.
1846
The Court of Common Pleas was abolished and the County Court established. Samuel W. Jones was elected first County Judge by the people.
1847
Black bass appeared in the Mohawk River for the first time, having been admitted by the building of the Canal from the river to Oneida Lake.
1848
The Rev. Father Daniel Cull, pastor of old St. John's Church on Franklin Street, erected the old brick school house adjoining the Church upon the east.
The office of police justice, justices of the peace, and high constable were made elective.
Judge Platt Potter published the Freeman's Banner, a newspaper supporting Martin Van Buren's presidential campaign.
The fire department was reincorporated and the powers of the fire chief broadened.
The Schenectady Institute was opened at 13 Franklin Street as a preparatory school and for military training.
1849
Asiatic cholera made its second appearance in Schenectady. Rev. Dr. John Austin Yates, professor at Union, was among the victims of the disease on this occasion.
1850
The Scroll was issued by Union College.
The Schenectady Bank failed and was reorganized by the State.
1851
John Ellis and Norris Brothers began the manufacture of locomotives in Schenectady.
1852
The Daily Ancient City was issued by Stephen S. Riggs and it constituted the first daily paper in Schenectady.
Schenectady's first gas plant was erected.
The Mercantile Bank was organized, but after a life of seven years, it was liquidated.
1853
Thomas H. Reeves entered the dry goods business here with William McCamus & Co., which later became T. W. McCamus & Co.
Money was raised for the purchase of Vale Cemetery lands for use as a burying ground.
All independent steam railroad lines between Albany and Buffalo merged into New York Central.
1854
All schools of the city gave way to the institution of the public school system.
The city purchased a building at the corner of Union and College Streets from Union College and installed free schools there. Samuel B. Howe was appointed first superintendent of schools. He served until 1905.
William N. Colborne and W. N. Clark founded the Schenectady Democrat.
September 4 & 5: Campbell's Minstrels appeared at Van Horne's Hall on State Street, below the canal bridge, marking the first local appearance of the famous Dan Bryant.
Asiatic cholera made its third visit to Schenectady.
1855
The Givens Hotel, on the site of the present Edison Hotel, was burned. The building had a frontage of fifty feet on State Street and ran back 150 feet. It accommodated 130 guests.
Barringer Brothers, merchants, took into partnership H. S. Barney.
February: The Morning Star began publication. In September, its name was changed to the Evening Star and was the first successful daily in the city. W. N. Clark and William N. Colborne were the founders.
The Continentals organized in Schenectady under Capt. John B. Clute.
Volney Freeman erected a bridge across Mohawk River. It was three times swept away by floods, the last time in the spring of 1914.
1856
George Westinghouse Sr. brought his threshing machine manufactory here from Central Bridge.
The Masonic Lodge removed to the Van Horne building on State Street.
1857
Vale Cemetery was opened and the old Green Street Cemetery was abandoned.
The Mohawk Bank removed to new quarters on State Street.
William N. Colborne issued the Weekly Republican.
1858
The YMCA organized and quarters were secured in the Clute Building on State Street.
H. S. Barney bought out the mercantile business of the Barringer Brothers.
1859
The First Presbyterian Church was enlarged.
F. W. Hoffman and E. F. Loveridge issued the Daily News.
The new Union School building was erected.
Henry H. Sward and H. S. Barney organized H. S. Barney and Company.
1860
Soda water and soft drinks were introduced to Schenectady in this year, when George Weller opened a bottling establishment at 62 College Street. This plant was removed to 46 College Street in 1863.
Union College began publishing the Union College Magazine.
The Railsplitter, an Abraham Lincoln campaign organ, was issued for a few months.
1861
February 3: St. George's Lodge of Royal Arch Masons was organized.
February 18: President-elect Abraham Lincoln spoke from his train here while on his way to his inaugural.
In May, Nicholas I. Veeder was murdered by Henry Moore. Both were Glenville farmers and quarreled over the fact that Veeder's cows had trespassed on Moore's land.
May 16: The Common Council passed an ordinance compelling occupants of all property to clean the street in front of their premises the third Monday of every month, under penalty of a $2 fine or three days in jail.
At the same meeting, the Board of Education petitioned for $7,000 with which to conduct the schools for the year.
During the summer, picnics were held on Van Slyck's Island.
The Daily Times was issued, only to be soon absorbed by the Evening Star.
The term of mayor was increased from one to two years.
Second Zouaves (Co. A 18th Reg. N.Y.V.) were organized. Captain, William Seward Gridley; Co. E 18th Reg., Capt. Stephen Truax; Co. C, 134th Reg., Capt. Barent M. Van Voast; Co. G, 91st Reg., Capt. A. H. Jackson, all formed in Schenectady.
The First Reformed Church was destoyed by fire.
The property of a man named Walker on the Albany Road was confiscated by the government, the owner being a Southerner.
1862
April 7: Nicholas G. Veeder died. The last surviving Revolutionary War veteran of Schenectady, he was born Dec. 25, 1761.
In June, 46 public house licenses and 28 store licenses were issued in the city. Total receipts: $1,650.
June 5: The corner stone of the present First Reformed Church was laid.
June 29: The German Catholics of the city took possession of their first place of worship in the old Cameronian Church edifice on Centre Street between Franklin and Liberty Streets.
August 16: The Board of Supervisors offered a bounty of $50 to each man who volunteered for war service.
Generals Buckner and Tiglman, rebel captives, passed through Schenectady. The newspapers of the day scolded because the people came to their doors to see them.
The present First Reformed Church structure was erected.
1863
Schenectady was flooded with counterfeit money.
August 9: The Draft Act went into effect. There was a detachment of 200 regular soldiers present to put down disorders, but there was no trouble. The full quota for the district was obtained in four days.
YMCA work was abandoned.
1864
Schenectady's attractions in this year were as follows: 12 churches, 3 banks, a Masonic Lodge, an Odd Fellows Lodge, 4 bakeries, 4 drug stores, 9 dry goods stores, 8 boot and shoe stores, 12 hotels and saloons, together with 13 doctors, 16 lawyers and 28 teachers. The latter three classes may or may not be classed as attractions, according to individual tastes.
Laura Keene, famous actress, appeared in "She Stoops to Conquer" at Anthony Hall.
Crescent Park was established.
The first steam fire engine placed in service. It was purchased in Portland, Maine for $5,000.
1865
April 19: A funeral procession was held in the city as a memorial to Abraham Lincoln. A funeral service was also held at the First Dutch Church. A clerk in a State Street store, with copperhead [pro-Southern] tendencies., made a slurring remark against the martyred President and he was very effectively dealt with, being compelled to leave town summarily after being practically "cuffed to a peak."
The Daily Union was founded by Senator Charles Stanford.
Artemus Ward lectured at Anthony Hall.
The Weekly Union was started in connection with the Daily Union.
The Mohawk Bank became a national institution.
1866
Dr. Eliphalet Nott, famous president of Union College, died.
Dr. L. P. Hickok was made president of Union College.
George Westinghouse conceived the idea of stopping trains by means of an air brake, while riding from Schenectady to Troy.
"True Blues" was organized among the businessmen of Schenectady for the purpose of infusing civic spirit into the people. This organization held carnivals in 1867, '68, '69 and '70, which attracted throngs from all parts of the state.
Asiatic cholera made a fourth and last visit to Schenectady.
A steam railroad known as the Athens Branch was constructed. This later became a portion of the West Shore.
October 3: St. George's Lodge Knights Templar formed.
1867
The obnoxious Capitol District Police force was established by legislative enactment. Headquarters and jail were established on Wall Street.
A. A. Marlette and A. W. Kelly began publication of The Dorpian.
A second steam fire engine was secured by the city.
The YMCA reorganized and quarters were taken in Van Horne's Hall at 151 State Street.
1868
Ira Harris became president of Union College.
A benevolent organization formed for the conduct of a Home for the Friendless at 35 Green Street.
A Masonic Temple was erected on Church Street.
1869
The first two-wheeled vehicle, then known as a velocipede and later as a bicycle, was exhibited in Schenectady at the bazaar of the "True Blues."
The city purchased its third steam fire engine.
Walter N. Thayer began the publication of the Gazette.
A steam railroad line from Schenectady to Delanson (Quaker Street) was begun.
The Weekly Gazette was issued by Walter N. Thayer.
The New York Central lines merged with Hudson River Railroad.
Dr. Charles Augustus Aiken became president of Union College.
1870
February 21: Union Hall, at the corner of State and Jay Streets, was opened as a place for public entertainment.
April 15: The city was given the right to form a municipal police system by the legislature. The first chief was Isaac Lovett.
October 20: An earthquake shock was distinctly felt here.
1871
The YMCA was given a charter.
Dr. Eliphalet Nott Potter became head of Union College.
1872
Sen. Charles Stanford organized a company to pump a water supply from the Mohawk River and a power house was established at the foot of Ferry Street. The water soon spread typhoid to all parts of the city, whereupon the city took over the proposition and in 1904 found water-bearing gravel in the Rotterdam hills, where the present water supply is obtained.
Coal strikes caused coal to sell for $14 per ton here.
Henry Hoffman began editing and issuing the Locomotive Fireman.
The office of Superintendent of Hose was established in the fire department.
The College Spectator was issued by Union College.
1873
Union University was incorporated.
Ernest Knauer began the publication of the Deutscher Anzeiger.
The steam railroad line to Delanson, known as the Duanesburgh Railroad, was completed. It later became part of the D. & H. system.
The YMCA building was begun at corner of State and Ferry Streets.
1874
Thomas H. Reeves & Co. took over the dry goods business of T. W. McCamus & Co.
The City Bank was organized.
1876
With the burning of the New York Central freight house on Dock Street, the headquarters of the department was removed to a building on John Street.
Sugar was quoted in the Schenectady market at 11.5 cents per pound.
The first telephone instruments were brought to this city from the Philadelphia centennial celebration by Mayor Van Horne and installed at his home and place of business.
1877
The Schenectady-Saratoga steam railroad line became part of the D. & H. system.
Union College began publishing the student newspaper Concordiensis.
July 28: The cornerstone of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church was laid.
1878
Dr. Robert M. Fuller of Schenectady was hailed by the medical fraternity of the world as the inventor of tablet forms of medicine, earning for himself the sobriquet of "Father of Tablet Triturates."
1879
The Daily Gazette was started by the proprietors of the Weekly Gazette, but it was absorbed by the Evening Star the following year.
Paddy Ryan, noted pugilist, conducted variety theatre on Albany Street.
Coal sold in Schenectady for $3.50 per ton.
1880
The Kilmer Wire Band manufacturing company built a plant on Dock Street for the manufacture of hay wire.
1881
The headquarters of the city removed to the new City Hall on Jay Street.
The first telephone system was opened in Schenectady with ten subscribers. James F. Burns was the first operator.
Police headquarters was removed from Wall Street to the new City Hall on Jay Street, erected and presented to the city by William K. Fuller.
1883
January 9: The Common Council authorized a reward of $300 for the arrest of incendiaries which were terrorizing the city.
January 27: Daniel Witbeck was held up on Albany Street.
February 12: The home of Andrew McMullen, on Union Avenue, was destroyed by fire.
March 30: Henry DeForest was nominated for mayor by the Democrats, and John Young by the Republicans.
April 3: John Young was elected mayor by a plurality of 96.
April 10: Mayor Young was inaugurated.
April 27: James M. Campbell, city lamplighter, was killed by a train at the Liberty Street crossing.
The office of the County Clerk was burglarized and the indictment papers against the County Clerk were stolen.
June 27: Henry Ramsay presented a $1,000 scholarship to the Albany Academy.
July 2: Several buildings were demolished by a high wind.
July 10: Four men were arrested for causing the wreck of an oil train near here in 1878. The wreck caused the death of the brakeman, Platt Truax.
July 17: Fourpaugh's circus played Schenectady.
August 15: the White Street school property (later used as a municipal lodging house on Clinton Street) was sold to Lansing DeForest for $1,525.
October 1: Two-cent postage rate on letters became effective.
October 18: James W. Rynex was appointed patrolman to succeed William Jones.
John W. Veeder accepted the Republican nomination for Member of Assembly on October 20.
October 29: The Daily Union was sold by Senator Charles Stanford to John A. Sleicher.
October 31: John Shannahan, a driver on the canal, was found in a barn on the Jacob Mabee farm at Rotterdam in a dying condition. He had become ill eight days before and had been unable to summon help. He wasted to a skeleton and though still alive when found, died later.
October 31: It hailed; November 16, the Mohawk River froze across and on November 22 the temperature was 72 in the shade.
November 7: The Rentz-Santley Company appeared at Union Hall and "Zazell" sustained injuries by falling from an insecure tight wire upon which the "aerial queen" was walking at the moment.
The West Shore Railroad was constructed.
1884
February 27: The Center Street Opera House was completed.
March 31: The Salvation Army held its first banquet in Anthony Hall.
April 8: During the Freshman parade, a disturbance arose and one Union student was seriously hurt when struck by a stone.
April 18: The first Chinese person to reach Schenectady arrived.
April 23: A New York City engine and six freight cars went into the canal at Union Street. The loss was $10,000.
May 2: A big wind storm partially wrecked the McQueen Locomotive Works.
May 8: A Post Office was established at South Schenectady.
May 28: The Salvation Army was arrested for parading on Sunday.
July 1: Albert J. Pitkin became superindendent of the Locomotive Works.
July 4: Harry Furman and Frank Vrooman were both seriously hurt by the explosion of cannons.
July 11: The Common Council carried a proposition to build a sewer system for Schenectady by a vote of 15 to 1.
July 26: The Salvation Army was forbidden by the police to parade on State Street on Saturday evenings.
August 4: A tornado did much damage throughout the Mohawk Valley.
August 7: The Salvation Army was mobbed at Anthony Hall. Two rioters were arrested.
August 9: The Salvation Army was forbidden to hold meetings on the city lot.
August 25: Tthere was a severe frost and cold wave; ice formed.
August 25: William Hathaway was made superintendent of repairs on Section 2 of the Erie Canal.
September 4: The temperature in State Street was 100 degrees.
September 8: Contractor Benjamin Van Vranken started building the city sewer system.
September 10: The grand jury censured the Salvation Army for creating a disturbance.
September 16: The Schenectady County Fair opened.
September 24: James G. Blaine, Republican candidate for president, spoke in Schenectady.
September 24: The Supervisors ordered the extension of Hulett and Hamilton Streets into the fairgrounds.
September 30: The Rev. Dr. William Payne resigned as pastor of St. George's Church.
October 4: John C. Ellis died at age 47.
October 16: Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, candidate of the People's Party for president, spoke in Schenectady.
October 16: The West Shore Railroad opened a ticket office here and sold tickets at the rate of one cent per mile.
October 17: Carl Schurz delivered an address at Union Hall.
October 25: Judge A. A. Yates made a reply to Schurz, at Union Hall.
November 4: Edward D. Cutler, Democrat, was elected to the Assembly.
December 15: The City Bank suspended operations.
December 20: The thermometer touched 23 below zero.
December 21: The Central Garden Theatre on Centre Street burned.
Hon. Judson S. Landon was appointed president of Union College.
1885
January 3: Liberty Street was ordered closed by the Common Council to prepare the way for a new Central depot.
January 29: A bill authorizing the Board of Education to use $22,000 instead of $17,000 per year on schools passed the state legislature.
February 7: Three families were found starving in Cotton Factory Hollow.
February 9: Twenty-nine Duanesburg residents were arrested for working on Sunday.
February 12: Levi T. Clute's hat store was destroyed by fire.
February 16: The city was enveloped in a terrific blizzard.
February 17: During the Van Vranken Hose Company's fair in Union Hall, a panic was narrowly averted when the gallery settled several inches under the weight of people in it.
February 19: The Bond family of Schenectady laid claim to six million pounds sterling lying in the vaults of the Bank of England.
March 3: The Washington Continentals left the city to attend the inauguration of President Grover Cleveland.
March 10: Albert and Edward Detbarn were horribly burned by the accidental discharge of blasting powder.
April 11: The barns of Mrs. Eliphalet Nott on College Hill were destroyed by fire.
April 14: John McEncroe was appointed superintendent of water.
April 28: Two officers of the Salvation Army were sent to jail for three days on charge of obstructing the streets.
May 9: A human torso, minus head and arms, was found floating in the river.
May 27: It was rumored that the torso found in the river was body of William Druse, murdered by his wife at Herkimer.
June 2: John McEncroe and John McDermott were awarded the contract to build new Central depot here.
June 5: A fire alarm system was completed here.
June 10: Coal mining was begun in Wolf's Hollow, Glenville, where Dr. Underhill found coal in the 1850s.
June 20: A Wild West show struck town, and the cowboys and residents engaged in battle.
June 20: President Cleveland appointed John Keyes Paige postmaster.
June 26: The Common Council established fire limits for the first time.
July 1: Van Amburgh's circus played Schenectady.
July 4: The Remington Company illuminated State Street with electricity in hope of securing the contract to light the city.
July 15: The Common Council decided to adopt electric lighting on city streets.
July 23: The city was draped in mourning for Gen. (and former president) Ulysses S. Grant.
August 4: While Barnum's circus parade was passing, the D & H ticket office was robbed of $60.
August 8: Business was suspended, bells were tolled and a federal salute was fired while Gen. Grant was buried on Riverside Drive, New York City.
August 11: The Common Council accepted the bid of the Remington Company to light streets with electricity.
August 11: The Common Council adopted the Water Commissioners' proposal to buy the water works for $90,000.
August 12: A cloudburst in Glenville caused a washout on the Central line, which suspended all trains for three days.
August 15: N. I. Schermerhorn and Sons' hay and straw barns on Dock street burned.
The first hospital organization opened an institution on a small scale on Union Street.
The City Bank discontinued.
Hon. Charles Stanford died.
The local branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union was organized.
October 13: The Mohawk Club was incorporated.
1886
January 14: New York Central opened a new station to the public.
January 21: The Rev. Father Scully, pastor of St. John's Church, died at the age of 41.
January 23: Rev. John L. Reilly was appointed pastor of St. John's Church.
February 2: The streets of Schenectady were first lighted by electricity by the Remington Company of Ilion.
February 14: The A. J. Quackenbush and Company hay barns were destroyed by fire.
February 24: The Schenectady Railway Company was incorporated.
March 17: The Mills of the Shakers, east of the city, were destroyed by fire.
March 21: Rotterdam Street (lower Washington Avenue) was inundated by the river.
March 26: The Union College freshmen cremated "Algebra Robinson" and riots were precipitated during which several were hurt.
April 10: The cable of Hoffman's Ferry broke, allowing several persons and a team to float downstream for some distance. No one was injured.
April 18: Urania, the widow of Dr. Nott, died at age 80.
May 22: Forepaugh's circus played here.
May 24: The Edison Machine Works of New York began negotiations for a location in Schenectady, having in mind the McQueen Locomotive plant.
May 25: The Westinghouse Incandescent Light Company was formed.
June 3: The Westinghouse Illuminating Company was incorporated for the purpose of furnishing electric light to Schenectady. The company went through many trials, finally reached the hands of a receiver and was several times reorganized. The financial troubles were largely due to the infancy of electricity and the competition of gas and kerosene. The first power plant was located on Erie Street in the rear of the Mohawk Bank.
June 25: Great crowds of Schenectadians attended the bicentennial celebration at Albany.
August 12: Haines Brothers started staking out the projected line of the Schenectady Railway Company.
August 31: A severe earthquake shock sent people from their homes into the streets.
September 11: Police Chief Campbell stopped the sale of The Owl, a "scandalous" publication, and ordered the agent out of the city.
October 11: The Common Council granted a new franchise to the Schenectady Railway Company.
November 1: George G. Maxon died suddenly, aged 68.
November 9: Ground was broken for the first line of the Schenectady Railway Company.
The YWCA was organized.
1887
January 19: It was 23 below zero in Schenectady.
January 24: The ice on the Mohawk River broke up.
February 1: Thomas Moolick was found murdered in the home of Edward Zeph on Yates Street; the latter was arrested.
February 15: Officer (later Sergeant) Gould was assaulted by two men while making an arrest.
March 7: The roofs of the Coliseum and the Universalist Church gave way under weight of snow.
March 16: Mayor DeForest vetoed an ordinance granting higher salaries to the city clerk and treasurer.
April 2: The police raided a disreputable resort on East Avenue known as "Ranch 10."
April 5: T. Low Barhydt, Republican, was elected mayor with a majority of 400, over James H. Flinn, democrat.
April 10: The ice again left the river.
April 11: The Union freshmen held a plug hat parade and engaged in a riot with sophomores and "townies."
April 27: The foundry of A. Weatherwax on Centre Street was destroyed by fire.
May 4: The rivet heaters at the locomotive plant struck for 60 to 75 cents more per day. They were out two days.
May 4: George Henneman Jr. was found in a dying, exhausted condition in the college woods.
May 6: Van Horne's Hall was damaged by fire.
July 15: Miss Annie C. Christie drove the last spike on the ties of the Schenectady Railway Company's first line and the road was opened for business.
July 16: The first horse-car line was opened to traffic, running from the Mohawk Bridge to State Street to Brandywine. The equipment consisted of 30 horses, five cars and four sleighs.
July 19: Bishop McNierney appointed Rev. John L. Reilly of St. John's Church, an irremovable pastor.
Chief of Detectives James Flannigan was appointed to the police force.
July 25: The contract for the construction of a new jail was awarded.
August 30: Part of the roof of the Schenectady Locomotive Works fell in, injuring several workmen.
September 15: Postmaster John Keyes Paige appointed the first six mail carriers in order to put in effect the free delivery mail system on October 1.
October 20: Chief of Police Campbell was exonerated of charges made against him, when the party making charges confessed it was a frame-up to injure the chief.
November 8: A. A. Yates was elected to the assembly by a plurality of six votes over Edward D. Cutler, Democrat.
November 15: Edward Zeph was found guilty of murdering Edward Moolick in a house on Yates Street and sentenced to Dannemora for life.
1888
March 19: The Centre Street Opera House was opened to the public.
The electric power plant was established on Dock Street and 24-hour light service was inaugurated.
David B. Hill spoke at the Centre Street Opera House.
Dr. Harrison E. Webster became head of Union College.
The Children's Home was founded.
1889
January 19: Dan Herty won a 72-hour go-as-you-please race in Union Hall.
February 2: The employees of the Locomotive Works were cut ten per cent in wages and the boiler makers immediately quit.
April 2: Henry S. DeForest was elected mayor over T. Low Barhydt, Republican, by a majority of 330.
April 25: Following the engagement of Gus Williams at Union Hall, the manager skipped with the receipts.
May 20: The Locomotive Works closed because of strikes among the men.
October 8: Gov. Hill named Edward D. Cutler of Schenectady as County Judge and Surrogate.
1890
The Mohawk Gas Company sold its first three gas ranges in this city.
1891
July: Electric motive power was substituted for horses on Schenectady street railway lines.
The Union National Bank was organized.
March 18: Zoe Gayton, an actress-pedestrian walking from coast to coast, arrived here.
The College Street Synagogue was erected.
1892
April 15: The Schenectady Illuminating Company, a subsidiary of Edison Electric Light Company, took over the lighting business of the city.
The Polish Catholics began a movement to found a church.
The Thomas H. Reeves & Co. dry goods firm changed firm style to the Reeves-Veeder Company.
Through a merger, the Edison Electric Light Company here became a part of the General Electric Company. Schenectady was made headquarters of the big company.
1893
March 1: The Van Curler Opera House opened to the public with a play entitled "Friend Fritz."
March 3: "Jim Cuff," whose real name was James Hartley, died at the almshouse of consumption. He was part Indian, and one of the city's noted characters. He is said to have waded across the Erie Canal just below the State Street Bridge with the prism filled, keeping his head above water all of the time. He made a precarious living peddling "yarbs" and was reputed to be a "bad man to tackle."
March 13: An ice gorge formed in the river and the water flooded the General Electric plant.
March 27: Ellis Hospital opened on Jay Street, having been made possible by the legacy of $25,000 in the will of Charles G. Ellis.
The Evening Gazette began publication, only to return to a morning issue before the end of the year.
The old Schenectady Illuminating Company went into the hands of a receiver.
1894
Policeman James W. Rynex was made Schenectady's first mounted officer.
Dr. Andres Van Vranken Raymond was elected president of Union College.
St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church was occupied at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Irving Street.
1895
January 31: The property and franchise of the Schenectady street railway lines were sold on foreclosure.
February 11: A new Schenectady Railway Company was organized.
Schenectady's first basketball game was played in the Centre Street Opera House.
The Schenectady Free Library incorporated with quarters in the Fuller Building, State Street, adjoining the Canal on the west.
Roy B. Myers began the publication of The Commercial News.
1897
January 17: The first Council, Knights of Columbus, in Schenectady was organized. It was first located in the Ellis Block on State Street.
The Electric City News began to issue under the direction of J. F. Kennedy.
George R. Blodgett, patent attorney for the General Electric Company, was shot and killed by an unknown burglar in his home on Front Street.
December 3: General Electric offered a reward of $5,000 for the arrest of Blodgett's slayer.
December 5: The first issue of the Sunday News made its appearance.
1898
The records at the end of the year showed that 2,910 tramps had been lodged at the police station and 7,500 more at the almshouse.
May 16: Companies E and F were mustered into federal war service.
May 18: Cos. E and F were enroute for Chickamauga, Georgia and thence to Tampa, Florida
June: James W. Rynex was made a detective sergeant.
August 24: Said Companies were ordered from Tampa to Troy, New York; they were mustered out on October 31.
September 15: Local soldiers enlisted for Spanish-American war service returned and were greeted by a crowd of 15,000 people.
October 31: The Mohawk Golf Club was incorporated.
The rehabilitated Schenectady Illuminating Company had reached a sound financial basis.
1900
January: Lt. and Mrs. S. Dana Green were drowned in the Mohawk River while skating.
March: The Woman's Club was organized.
March 19: Henry Rosa, Schenectady's first and oldest coal dealer, died.
March 31: At 6:20 in the evening, Policeman James Mynderse was killed at the State Street grade crossing while trying to save the life of a woman who had stepped in front of a train. He was the first policeman of the department ever killed in the performance of his duty.
July 4: The Weh sisters drowned.
Policeman James Flannigan was made a detective sergeant.
July 8: The cornerstone of St. John's Church was laid.
July 24: The Central Fire Station opened.
B. A. Burtiss drove the first automobile in Schenectady.
1901
March 23: The Schenectady Locomotive Works hammer shop was destroyed by fire.
April 11: The Schenectady Brewery on Nott Terrace was burned.
April 23: David Reynolds, a Glenville farmer, was mysteriously murdered with an axe.
May: The home of Mrs. Hawley of 58 Washington Avenue, at which Gen. Washington stopped on one of his visits to Schenectady, was threatened with destruction by fire.
May 28: Diment's Storage Warehouse was destroyed by fire.
The Independent was published by George F. Roberts.
July 2: The old fairgrounds, which adjoined the north bank of Cotton Factory Hollow, were sold at auction for $84,000.
The extension of the street railway lines of the city was begun.
The Schenectady Locomotive Works was merged with the American Locomotive Company.
1902
In February the Day Nursery of Lafayette Street was opened.
March 18: The Emmanuel Baptist Church was burned.
March 19: The New York Furniture Company's place suffered heavy damage from fire.
The city was divided into four police precincts.
June 24: Seven skeletons were unearthed while foundations were being constructed at 22 Front Street. They were declared to be the remains of the victims of massacre of 1690.
A. F. Knight of Schenectady invented the "Schenectady" golf putter.
August 15: The Italian Catholic Church, of Sant' Antonio di Padova was occupied.
The McKinley bust was presented to the city by the Italian residents and placed in Crescent Park.
The Jewish congregation Ohab Zedick was formed.
The Schenectady Trust Company (now called Trustco) was organized, taking in the interests of the Schenectady Bank.
December 26: The Maxon Block, on the site of the Crown Hotel, and known as Jimmy Devine's Hotel, was destroyed by fire.
1903
The cornerstone for the present edifice of St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church was laid.
A movement began to organize a second Polish Catholic parish in Schenectady to meet the needs of an increased Polish population.
August 9: Eight dwellings on Hulett Street were wiped out in one conflagration.
Experiments were tried out here with a traveling electric motor for the hauling of canal boats. It was called the "electric mule."
The Reeves-Luffman Company was born from the Reeves-Veeder Company, dealers in dry goods.
The remodeled City Hotel on the corner of Ferry and Liberty Streets, became Red Men's Hall.
In October there was a period of very high water in the Mohawk River and much damage was done at the General Electric plant.
By legislative enactment, Bellevue and Mont Pleasant were annexed to Schenectady.
The construction of overhead railroad crossings through the city was begun.
The Schenectady Free Library took up its abode in the new Carnegie Library building at the corner of Union Street and Seward Place.
The H. S. Barney Company was incorporated.
December 4: The old New York Central freight house on John Street was destroyed by fire.
1904
The lowest temperature on record in the city, 28 below zero, was recorded on Glenwood Boulevard.
February 14: St. John's Church was dedicated. The cost was $300,000.
H. S. Barney, a pioneer mercantile figure in the life of Schenectady, died. He was born in Greenville, Saratoga County on March 23, 1822.
June 14: The public drinking fountain in Crescent Park was presented to the city by the Women's Christian Temperance Union at a cost to the latter of $850.
First soundings for the barge canal were taken at the New York Central Railroad bridge.
The Rev. Father John L. Reilly, pastor of the Church of St. John the Evangelist, was made Domestic Prelate with the tltle of Right Reverend Monsignor.
September 19: Sergeant James W. Rynex became chief of the police department.
The first Mallet Articulated Compound locomotive was made at American Locomotive Company's shops here for the B. & O. Railroad
July 17: The dry goods store of Rabinovitch on State Street was destroyed.
September 16: The New York Central removed its freight headquarters from its old building on John Street to a new structure on Edison Avenue.
September 29: The Hudson (Mohawk) Theatre was opened with "Paris By Night."
November 12: The first of the electric locomotives used in the terminals of the New York Central (No. 6000) was given initial tests on tracks from Schenectady to Hoffmans.
New York Central's new freight detour around Schenectady was placed in service.
1905
February 1: The Davidson store fire occured with a loss of $105,000.
June 30: The Schenectady County Historical Society was incorporated.
August 15: The original Mohawk Hotel and Baths were opened.
August 22: A terrific hail storm struck the city, smashing 200 panes of glass in the Arcade Building, much valuable leaded stained glass in the churches and 2,000 panes in the General Electric buildings.
September 26: William Hathaway opened new livery stables.
1906
January 8: The Ellis Hotel on State Street was destroyed by fire.
January 9: The Boston Store was badly damaged by fire with a loss of $65,000.
January 26: Close Brothers' Feed Mill on South Centre Street was destroyed by fire.
January 31: Two locomotives caught a buffet car between them on the Central in Bellevue, telescoping the latter and killing one man.
February 23: At 3:15 PM the first steel girder in the construction of the city's several overhead railroad crossings was laid.
The Locomotive Club was organized.
The Citizens Trust Company was chartered.
March 12: A big fire occured in the Westinghouse plant.
March 18: The first regular passenger train crossed State Street on the elevated tracks.
A $12,000 fire occured in the store of the H. S. Barney Co.
Six thousand window panes in the General Electric buildings were broken, besides other damage about the city by a terrific hail storm.
The Clark Witbeck Building was completed and occupied.
June 5: Last railroad crossing at grade in city was removed.
June 21: The razing of the old Utica machine shops was under way. It was located at the corner of Green and John Streets, and was originally the terminal of the Albany-Schenectady and Utica-Schenectady railroad.
August 17: Simpkins' lumber mill was destroyed.
October 10: Rinskopf & Nusbaum opened.
October 13: The new Ellis Hospital building at intersection of Nott Street and Rosa Road was opened.
October 23: The Troy trolley overturned at the corner of Union and McClellan Streets.
1907
Dr. Charles Alexander Richmond was made president of Union College.
The Physicians' Hospital organization opened an institution on Union Street.
June 29: A 20-ton bettle in the Sandstone Brick Company's plant, near the end of Campbell Avenue, exploded and killed three men.
Schenectady became a city of the second class (in size).
St. Colomba's Church was erected at the corner of Stanley and Emmett Streets.
The Jewish synagogue on Nott Terrace was dedicated.
Detective Sergeant Diamanti Ragucci was shot and seriously wounded by a fugitive murderer.
Schenectady-Saratoga trolley line was opened to traffic.
October 1: Gen. Booth, head of the Salvation Army, delivered an address at the Van Curler Opera House.
1908
February 7: William J. Bryan spoke at the First Methodist Episcopal Church.
February 21: The Press Club held a big charity ball in the new palatial Union Station.
March 1: The new $300,000 New York Central station opened to the public.
March 7: Station 9 opened.
April 26: The Klayman & Cohen dry goods store fire occured.
June: The gas plant was removed from South Centre Street to a location on Villa Road.
The Old Ladies' Home was occupied at 1590 Union Street.
August 24: The Majestic (Empire) Theatre was opened with "The Cherry Blossoms" (burlesque).
The dry goods store of K. Clieman was wrecked by fire.
James Flannigan was made chief of detectives upon the retirement of Frank DeForest.
December 12: The Schenectady Board of Trade was organized.
December 22: The Gazette block was heavily damaged by fire.
1909
January 10: Moses Viney, noted fugitive slave and servant in the family of Union College President Dr. Eliphalet Nott for many years, died at 220 Lafayette Street at the age of 92.
January 28: The premiere performance of Clyde Fitch's play, "The Happy Marriage," was given at the Van Curler. Fitch made a curtain speech.
January 30: The Arcade Building, standing on the site of the present arcade, was destroyed by fire.
The first brakeman on the railroad running from Schenectady to Albany, John Elphick, died at age 97 at Poolville, Madison County.
The Wallace Company took over the dry goods business of the Reeves-Luffman Company.
October 19: The wooden structure first erected by St. Adalbert's Polish Catholic Church on Crane Street was destroyed by fire.
Wasson's (Park) Hotel at the corner of Barrett and State Streets, which had been standing for 150 years and occupied during all of that time as a hotel, was razed to make way for the new home of the Schenectady Illuminating Company.
The old Schermerhorn grist mill on Broadway, erected in 1774, was razed in order to widen the street.
The old clock movement in the steeple of the First Reformed Church was "scrapped" and a new movement substituted. The old one weighed one ton, had a pendulum fifteen feet in length and ancient driving weights weighing 600 pounds. The new one weighed ten pounds and operated the clock by electricity.
September 27: Board of Trade carnival.
1910
January 13: Former Mayor J. B. Graham died at age 79.
May 22: The circus tent of Barnum & Bailey's big show was ignited by the cigarette of a man sitting on an upper seat in the "Big Top" and the entire canvas was destroyed, amidst a panic which resulted in injury to several.
The first issue of the The Citizen appeared.
1911
The present St. Adalbert's church on Crane Street was completed.
February 28: The Schenectady Storage Warehouse was visited by a big fire.
April 9: The Camp's Livery-Holtzmann store fire occured.
April 30: "Old Van," Schenectady's first fire horse, died.
June 23: The first conference of the Mayors of the State of New York was held in Schenectady.
The Evening Star was absorbed by the Daily Union and the publication became the Union-Star.
The old Schenectady Lyceum, erected in 1835 at No. 5 Yates Street, was razed. President Chester A. Arthur was a student there.
August 15: The Union hall block suffered from a bad fire.
October 11: A chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in Schenectady and chartered on December 14.
The Payne Memorial Gate was constructed at Union College at a cost of $5,000, raised by popular subscription and erected in memory of John Howard Payne, author of "Home, Sweet Home," who graduated from the college in the class of 1810.
1912
February 13: Fire destroyed the Oneida Hotel.
April 8: Proctor's Theatre was opened to the public.
May 14: A fire occured in the Hough Building.
May 30 to June 1: A big pageant was held on the Union College campus to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the city.
November 28: The Englehardt & Cohen dry goods store was burned.
Patrolman Warner Wendell was shot while attempting to make an arrest.
The D. & H. bridge over the canal and river was completed.
December 26: Freeman House fire.
1913
January 2: The first pay-as-you-enter cars were placed in service in Schenectady.
The new county court house was completed at a cost of over half a million dollars.
January 27: Supreme Court was held for the first time in the new court house.
February 9: The Hotel Bellevue was burned.
February 14: The Kinum building was burned.
March 17-22: The first automobile show was held in the State Armory.
March 28: Water in the Mohawk reached 21 feet above normal level. The Van Epps boat house was carried downstream by the flood.
April 8: The Gleason Building fire caused a loss of $11,000.
June 6: The last track of the New York Central and D. & H. crossing State Street at the grade, was torn up and removed by a flat car at 4:15 P.M.
July 5: The present Federal Building was opened to the public.
The big chimney on the old pumping station, at the foot of Ferry Street, was felled by James Folan with a crowbar.
September 5: Mayor George R. Lunn chopped down a tree standing in the way of a big sewer on Front Street, in defiance of a restraining order from the courts.
September 5: The American Theatre opened.
September 30: The Slover Hotel fire occured.
October 11: Chief Yates in his big red car was the first vehicle to cross the Cotton Factory Hollow Bridge at Hulett Street.
October 21: The Schenectady Railway Company's new waiting room was opened to the public.
October 25: The "White Way" system of street lighting on State Street was turned on for the first time.
November 10: George T. Ingersoll died. He was called the "Father of Water" by Judge Yates because he was superintendent of the water bureau during the battle for an adequate and pure water supply for the city of Schenectady. He left his entire estate as a home for aged men.
November 17: The Common Council voted to purchase the lands for the Riverfront and Cotton Factory Hollow parks.
December 1: The Common Council voted to purchase the present site of Central Park.
The first municipal Christmas tree celebration was held in Crescent Park.
The Physicians' Hospital management was taken over by the Sisters of Mercy and the name changed to Mercy Hospital.
The Federal building at the corner of Jay and Liberty Streets was occupied.
Over 200 acres of land was acquired by the city for park purposes.
The Schenectady Power Boat club was formed.
1914
January 9: The new Union College Gymnasium was opened.
February 10: An earthquake shook the city to a notable extent.
February 14: The heaviest snowfall in many years effectively tied up traffic.
March 4: Ellis Hospital completed its whirlwind campaign to raise $100,000.
March 23: Many horses and mules working on the construction of a sewage disposal plant were destroyed in the burning of the barn belonging to A. Cobb Maxon.
June 10: Elihu Root spoke here as honorary chancellor of Union College.
Mercy Hospital re-transferred to the original organization's control and management.
March 28: Ice gorges and freshets in the Mohawk River caused that stream to rise to the height of 23.5 feet above normal, inundating of the lower portion of the city. Freeman's Bridge and Rexford Bridge, both east of the city, were carried away and with the former John Ellis and John Becker lost their lives.
July 18: The garbage reduction plant on Maxon Road was placed in operation.
August 5: A contract was let for the construction of the big reservoir on Bevis Hill.
August 27: The General Electric Company completed the construction of a flood wall.
September 2: Six children were killed by the caving in of a sand bank on Wing Avenue, Mont Pleasant.
September: The bandstand was completed in Crescent Park.
November 19: Dr. A. R. Brubacher, superintendent of Schenectady schools, was announced as the new president of the State Teachers' College at Albany.
December 28: The Common Council christened Central, Pleasant Valley and Riverfront Parks.
1915
February 27: The "White Way" lighting system on Centre Street was formally opened.
April 15: The Rotterdam motor bus, loaded with passengers, went through the Van Slyck Bridge over the canal west of the city and dropped to the dry canal bed below, injuring several.
The sewage disposal plant was placed in operation.
June 4: The Col. Cornelius Van Dyck chapter, Empire State Society, Sons of the American Revolution, was chartered.
August 4: An air-pipe at the American Locomotive plant exploded, injuring several people, including Sanitary Inspector E. W. Harbison.
August 22: A heavy rain storm converted the streets into streams, flooded cellars and carried autos along the streets in its rush.
September 16: W. L. R. Emmet and Dr. W. R. Whitney were named by Secretary of the Navy Daniels as members of the Naval Advisory Board.
November 24: At 9:45 p.m., the Liberty Bell arrived in Schenectady on its way to Philadelphia after a transcontinental tour.
December 4: John Keyes Paige, former postmaster and organist at St. George's Church for fifty years, died.
December 13: Snow fell to the depth of 31 inches and traffic was severely interfered with. No vehicle was able to pass through Front Street from the time the storm ceased on Monday night until the following Wednesday at noon.
1916
January 11: Four persons were killed in a fire in a rooming house at 143 Barrett Street.
January 19: The Board of Trade staged a transcontinental telephone demonstration at a dinner in the Union College gymnasium.
February 2: An earthquake shock rocked the city slightly.
May: The barge canal from Waterford to a point near Utica was formally opened by a trip of state officials through the waterway. They stopped here and were greeted by city officials.
Mercy Hospital closed because of lack of funds.
June 20: The Morris Plan Bank was opened for business.
June 24: A big "Preparedness" parade was held.
On June 25: Companies E and F and a Machine Gun company of the National Guard of New York left for the Mexican border.
July 5: Captain J. Scott Button was raised to major.
July 5: John McDermott, a contractor who built many of the city's largest public buildings, died.
July 15: The Western Gateway Bridge at Rotterdam was opened to the public.
July 21: The city declared a quarantine against infantile paralysis (polio).
September 29: The National Guard soldiers returned home from the Mexican border.
October 18: President Woodrow Wilson spoke from his train.
October 20: The National Guardsmen were mustered out of Federal service.
October 20: The Veeders' dam gave way and caused great damage to property on South Centre Street.
1917
January: The first issue of the G. E. Reporter left the press.
January 12: A mammoth explosion at the DuPont Powder Mills, Haskell, NJ, was distinctly felt and heard in this city.
January 20: A trolley car ran away down Broadway Hill, injuring several - one girl very seriously.
Part of the YMCA building at corner of State and Ferry Streets was condemned as unsafe by city authorities. Agitation began for erection of a new structure.
April 16: "France Day" was observed in the schools of the city in celebration of the entering of the United States into World War I as an ally of France.
April 29: James H. Callanan, former postmaster and editor of the Schenectady Union-Star, died at age 51.
May 1: The leading bakers of the city increased the price of the former five-cent loaf of bread to eight cents, and bread of the former ten-cent size became twelve cents.
May 2: Flour sold in Schenectady for $16 per barrel.
(Last updated on  by jw)