LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the Bicentennial of the City of
Troy, New York, to be celebrated on April 12, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize events of
significance which exemplify the history and development of the State of
New York; each city, town, village and hamlet within the borders of our
great Empire State proudly resonates with the rich and noble history;
and
WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
and commemorate the anniversaries of the founding of municipalities
throughout the State, noting in turn their contributions to the fabric
and progression of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the Bicentennial of the City of Troy, New York, to be celebrated
on Tuesday, April 12, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Founded by Dutch settlers in the mid-17th Century, Troy
received its name in 1789 after a vote of the people; it was incorpo-
rated as a town in 1791, and became a village in 1796; and
WHEREAS, The City of Troy was officially chartered on April 12, 1816,
and was, at the time, a small community with a steadily growing popu-
lation of 5,000 people who were just beginning to focus on manufacturing
endeavors; and
WHEREAS, During its early years, Troy was divided into six wards, each
with an Alderman and an Assistant Alderman who were popularly elected;
the Governor and Council of Appointment filled the positions of Mayor,
Recorder and Marshall, all of whom were each appointed to one year
terms; and
WHEREAS, This former Village of Troy President, Albert Pawling, served
as the city's first Mayor; known for his hospitality and earnestness, he
long resided at the corner of River and Washington Streets; and
WHEREAS, Following the War of 1812, Troy residents began to revive
trade and commerce in their region by expanding transportation networks
to the west; these efforts helped lead to the birth of the Erie Canal, a
waterway which transported a variety of local products including pottery
made from clay derived off the western banks of Mount Ida; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Troy became a focal point for wheat and cash
crops grown in Rensselaer County, Western Vermont and Massachusetts, on
their way to be shipped through the canals or on the Hudson River to New
York City and beyond; and
WHEREAS, With a proud tradition of educational excellence, Troy was
propelled to greatness through actions of such area luminaries as Emma
Willard, Stephen Van Rensselaer and Amos Eaton, who founded the Troy
Female Seminary and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute respectively; and
WHEREAS, At the time of the Civil War, Troy's population had grown to
over 39,000 residents, many of whom were engaged in the manufacturing of
a wide range of products including, bells, horseshoes, shirt collars and
cuffs, as well as surveying instruments which were shipped and sold
around the world; and
WHEREAS, After the catastrophic fire of 1862, the residents of Troy
made a number of improvements in fire safety, and rebuilt their the city
into a central hub for our Nation's growing network of railroad lines;
its borders also grew with the annexation of the Village of Lansingburgh
in 1900; and
WHEREAS, As Troy celebrated its Centennial in 1916, its citizens
welcomed the opening of the Russell Sage College for Women and a new
YWCA facility; Samaritan Hospital also opened to provide better health

care for local residents, and additional recreational amenities like
Prospect Park and Frear Park were opened to the public; and
WHEREAS, During the post-World War II era , the City of Troy experi-
enced one of its most challenging periods with many important social and
political issues coming to the forefront including the growth of the
suburbs, the Civil Rights Movement and a new City Charter; and
WHEREAS, In the 1970s, Troy, like many American cities, experimented
with Urban Renewal and reconstructed much of its downtown area; since
then, the historic preservation movement has had many successes in
preserving the City's remarkable architecture and unique history; and
WHEREAS, Today, Troy is experiencing a renaissance in its downtown
historic district, with many new companies, restaurants, and shops open-
ing for business; there is also a resurgence of appreciation within the
community for its distinguished past and bright vision for the future;
and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the City of Troy continues its commitment to enhancing the
quality of life of its citizens and ensuring a positive business, insti-
tutional and educational climate for all; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Bicentennial of the City of Troy, New York, recognizing
the significance of the role it continues to play in the life of the
community of the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Patrick Madden, Mayor of the City of Troy, New
York.