Town Historians are appointed by law for municipalities throughout New York State.   The Town Historian's role is to assist in researching official town records related to the history of the town and to educate the public about the records.  Ms. Leath is available for these purposes, but she does not do historical or genealogical research for individuals.

The historical website pages have been made available through a grant from the New York State Education Department, State Archives, Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund grant for historical records which provided funds for personnel and creation of this link on the Town’s website.  For more information, see the Town Clerk's page.

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National Register of Historic Places
Bethlehem, New York

Elsmere Railroad Station	Red Cross
Delmar Public School

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TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
HISTORICAL MARKERS

TOWN HISTORICAL MARKERS
HENRY HUDSON PARK AT CEDAR HILL COMMEMORATING THE ARRIVAL OF THE HALFMOON SEPTEMBER 18-19, 1609 ERECTED BY THE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM SEPTEMBER 18, 1975 (HENRY HUDSON TOWN PARK)
	ERECTED IN HONOR OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES AND IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE (BETHLEHEM VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK)
THESE ARE ORIGINAL BRICKS FROM ONE OF THE FIRST 'PAVED' ROADS PASSING THROUGH BETHLEHEM CONSTRUCTED BY THE ALBANY AND DELAWARE TURNPIKE COMPANY (CHARTERED 1805) (DELMAR FOUR CORNERS)

 

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GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION ADDED TO TOWN ARCHIVES

Bob Griffin of Berne, New York has graciously shared his grandmother’s photos of South Bethlehem in the early 1900’s. Harriet Van Atten Griffin had many photos in her album including views of South Street homes, Callanan’s, swimming on Snyder’s Creek, family photos and three of Rupert Wiltsie in uniform “back from France” in 1919.  Bob himself grew up in the hamlet of South Bethlehem and shares his memories in his essay “Growing up in South Bethlehem in the Early 1950’s and 60’s.”

Harriet Van Atten Griffin, c. 1919

Friends of Harriet Griffin, c. 1919

South Street, c. 1919

South Street, August 2008

Palmer House, c. 1919

Palmer House, 2008

WELTER PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION ADDED TO TOWN ARCHIVES

Neil Dorsman and Carol Sorensen have added their grandfather’s pictures to the Bethlehem Archives. Leonard Welter came to Bethlehem from the Netherlands as a young man in about 1906. Welter began photographing the Bethlehem and Albany area shortly thereafter.  He used a large format camera that produced glass plate negatives.

The photos posted below are part of a display Welter made in 1959 for the Hudson Champlain 350th anniversary. The group of 12 photos was displayed in various shop windows in the Delmar area.

The Adams Hotel is a familiar Delmar landmark. Built in 1838, it was the Bethlehem Town Hall from 1950 to 1980. The photo was taken in 1908.

The David Clark Farm House was located at the corner of Mason and Delaware Avenues, about where the McDonalds is today. Leonard Welter’s wife and children are on the porch. The picture was taken in 1925 and the Welters owned the house then.

The Four Corners Delmar photo is a bit of a mystery. Undated, its caption reads “Looking west from Grove Street Old Saloon on Corner.”  Welter probably stood near today’s post office building to take the picture.

The Albany – Susquehanna Railroad Line came through in 1863 and brought significant changes to what was then known as Adamsville.  Easy transportation to Albany resulted in many commuting from the Elsmere, Delmar, Slingerlands and Font Grove stations. Pictured here is the Delmar Station in 1907. It was located on Adams Street.

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BETHLEHEM PARADES

Bethlehem has long enjoyed parades. The first two photos are of a parade at the Four Corners from about 1920. If you look closely, you might recognize the buildings on Delaware Avenue where First Care and Andriano's are located today.  The third depicts a float from the 350th anniversary, in 1959, of Henry Hudson’s historic voyage. The buildings in the background are recognizable today at the corner of Delaware and Kenwood.

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CUTTING ICE - BIG BUSINESS IN BETHLEHEM

Ice harvesting is an important, yet little appreciated, episode in American history. Harvesting ice for consumption and food storage has been known for centuries. Practiced on a small scale by the early settlers and colonists, it grew to an enormous, multi-million dollar industry in the mid to late 1800’s.  Yet, by the 1920’s it was on its way out, and today is just a memory.

The shores of the Hudson River in Bethlehem were lined with icehouses. Some, like George Best’s Cedar Hill Ice House were locally owned and shipped their ice to New York City. Others were owned by large companies like the Knickerbocker Ice Company out of NYC. Wilbur’s Ice House on the Normans Kill served the Albany market.  In 1855 Hunts Merchant magazine reports that NYC required 285,000 tons of ice, Albany stored up 20,000 tons. These figures were only to grow, before a steady decline in the 1920s.

The Pappalau Ice House on the Normans Kill can be seen in the top right corner. The photo is in the Town Archives and dates to c.1900. In the upper left is one of the 15 district schools houses that were in Bethlehem at the time.

“Fred and Fritz” taken in front of the Schiffendecker Ice House located on Westerlo Island. The photo was taken in 1914 when Westerlo Island was part of Bethlehem. In 1926, it was annexed to Albany. Photo courtesy of the Bethlehem Historical Association.

A group of photos taken by Henry Myer in the winter of 1914-15, showing ice harvesting for Baker’s Ice House. Baker’s was located in the Cedar Hill section Bethlehem.  Photo courtesy of the Bethlehem Historical Association.

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THE SLINGERLAND PRINTING COMPANY - THEN AND NOW

The Slingerland Printing Company was established in 1879 by Cornelius H. Slingerland at its present location on the Albany, Rensselaerville, and Schoharie Plank Road, now known as New Scotland Avenue in the hamlet of Slingerlands. Conveniently located near the Delaware and Hudson Railroad line, the company specialized in printing for the railroad, including timetables and other railroad forms.  Posters, election forms, and items like paper, envelopes and twine rounded out the business.

Sometime prior to his death in 1910, Cornelius Slingerland incorporated his business as Slingerland Printing Company.  Upon his death, ownership transferred to his daughter Mary Andrews and her husband Dr. Clarence Mullen.  Andrew C. Couse, the general manager of the plant received a one percent interest at that time. In 1935, the company was sold to the Burland Printing Company which kept the Slingerland name.  By 1946, the building had been converted to apartments.

Currently, the building and grounds are undergoing a major renovation and rehabilitation into 18 units.  Many historic details are being retained, including the distinctive, advertising paint on the New Scotland Avenue side of the building.

The Slingerlands Printing Company, circa 1930

Slingerland Printing Company Employees, 1909

The Albany, Rensselaerville, and Schoharie Plank Road

Throughout the 1800’s road development was a private undertaking.  The state legislature established laws regulating the formation of corporations to develop and maintain turnpikes and later plank roads. The Albany to Schoharie Plank Road, the modern day New Scotland Avenue, was the result of a corporation purchasing the necessary land, constructing the road and then collecting the tolls.  A plank road was just that, wood planks were laid over a dirt road to provide a smooth ride. The days of the plank roads were limited. Maintenance proved costly as the wood began deteriorating after a few years. Legislated in 1847, they were gone by 1860.

Other toll roads in Bethlehem include The Albany and Bethlehem Turnpike, The Albany and Delaware Turnpike, the Green County and Albany Turnpike, the South Bethlehem Plank Road and the Albany and Clarksville Plank Road. Can you guess what these roads are called today?

All of these turnpikes and plank roads featured tollgates where fares were collected.  Typical fares were five cents for a one horse rig and ten cents for a team or load. Some people didn’t have to pay, including those going to religious meetings, funerals, and town meetings.  Even with these exceptions, people still tried to avoid paying the toll by “shunpiking” or driving around the toll.

Slingerlands Tollgate Looking West with Slingerlands Printing Company to Left.  The Slingerlands Tollgate, located on New Scotland Avenue, was demolished in 1908

Slingerlands Tollgate Looking East with Slingerlands Printing Company to Right

The Slingerland Printing Company Today

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HOTEL BETHLEHEM

Find a road that is frequently traveled and you will find a hotel on it. In Bethlehem, this statement is as true today as it has been in the past. Today, Bethlehem's most frequently traveled road is the New York Thruway and there are two hotels within sight of the thruway -- the Comfort Inn and the Econo Lodge. The inn is a frequent sight for travelers, as it rests right next to the thruway. The Econo Lodge is just south of the Comfort Inn and can also be seen from the thruway. Both hotels can be reached by passing through the tollgate at exit 23 and heading south on Route 9W.

Not far from the Comfort Inn and the Econo Lodge was Bethlehem's first hotel -- the Abbey Hotel. It was built early in the eighteenth century just a little over a mile to the southeast of the current hotels near the intersection of today's Route 144 and Glenmont Road. Route 144 parallels the New York Thruway and in earlier times, it was known as the Albany-Bethlehem Turnpike. Coincidently, the turnpike was a toll road and to reach the hotel one also had to pass through a tollgate to get there. The tollgate was located at Kenwood about a mile north of the Abbey, near the intersection of today's Route 32.

The Abbey Hotel was an important way stop between Albany and Van Wie Point on the Hudson River. During the 19th century, Van Wie Point was a popular docking area for passengers going to Albany. Docking in Albany was considered hazardous due to shallows in the river but was corrected by dredging in the early 20th century. The Abbey Hotel was about halfway between Albany and Van Wie Point.

During the height of its popularity, the Abbey Hotel was a center of activity for travelers, politicians and local clubs. Activities included picnics, clambakes and harness racing. The racing track was on the flats near the Hudson River just east of the hotel. The hotel was raised in the early 1960's after serving the community for more than 250 years.

Other Bethlehem hotels were also located south of the Abbey Hotel along the well-traveled route near the Hudson River. They include Crum's Hotel and the Cedar Hill Hotel. Crum's Hotel was up on a hill overlooking the Albany-Bethlehem Turnpike and the Hudson River. The Cedar Hill Hotel was further south near today's Henry Hudson Town Park.

Another Albany-Bethlehem road also had its share of hotels for travelers. In 1805, the Albany and Delaware Turnpike Company was chartered to construct this road, which is today's Delaware Avenue. The road was abandoned as a turnpike in 1863 and later paved with yellow bricks when it became known as the Yellow Brick Road.

At the turn of the twentieth century, a very popular hotel, the Hinkel Hotel, was located on the Normans Kill just off the Yellow Brick Road. It was located on a small lake that was created by two dams. From the large porch that surrounded the hotel, overnight guests could relax and watch people swimming in the lake and sunning themselves on the beach near the lake. They could also pitch coins to the children who would dive for them. The hotel included a bar, restaurant, store and even a little passenger boat that took guests on a short cruise between the dams. It eventually closed due to a lack of business and was later destroyed by fire.

Other Bethlehem hotels were also located south of the Normans Kill along the well-traveled route that is today's Delaware Avenue. One of the first hotels on the Albany and Delaware Turnpike was the Adams Hotel. Nathaniel Adams built his hotel in 1838 and the building still stands today near the Delmar Fire Department. Other hotels were located at today's Four Corners and at the location of today's Cherry Arms Apartments.

A third Albany-Bethlehem road also had hotels for travelers. In 1859, the Albany, Rensselaerville and Schoharie Plank Road Company was chartered to construct the road that is today's New Scotland Road. The charter called for the use of wooden planks on a large part of a road that passed through Hurstville, Slingerlands and on to New Scotland.

Hurstville, which at one time was a Bethlehem hamlet, was later annexed by the City of Albany. It was located near the intersection of Whitehall Road. William Hurst, for whom the hamlet was named, built the Hurstville Hotel within a few years after the road was chartered. Like the Abbey Hotel, he also built a race track for horses nearby. During the Roaring 20's, the hotel was a happening place with dance bands, floorshows and a lot of excitement. In 1929, it was destroyed by fire.

Another Bethlehem hotel was located south of the Hurstville Hotel along the well-traveled route that is today's New Scotland Road. The Home Lawn Hotel was located in the heart of Slingerlands just across from today's Slingerlands Fire Department. The hotel building still exists and today is a residence.

[Article originally published in the October 2005 Issue of Our Towne]

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BETHLEHEM - A GREAT AMERICAN TOWN

In the August 2005 issue of Money Magazine, Delmar, a hamlet in Bethlehem, received national recognition when it was listed number 22 out of 100 "Great American Towns." In particular, Delmar was among one of the "Best Places to Live" because of its low crime rate and its access to arts and leisure including museums, restaurants, recreation areas and parks. Delmar also scored high on household income and the education level of its residents.

For those of us who live in the "Town of Bethlehem," the designation caused some confusion. Delmar is not a town; it is a hamlet in the Town of Bethlehem. To cause further confusion, Money Magazine's definition of town is "town = town + surrounding area." By this definition, they really did mean the Town of Bethlehem, not the "town" of Delmar. No doubt, Money Magazine's definition of a town is pretty loose for they also include the cities of Scottsdale, AZ, Santa Barbara, CA and Cedar Rapids, IA as "towns."

The recognition of Delmar as a "Great American Town" has many wondering how Delmar became "Delmar" in the first place. Unlike other nearby towns, such as Guilderland or New Scotland, there is no village or hamlet called Bethlehem within the Town of Bethlehem. There are hamlets called North Bethlehem and South Bethlehem and there used to be one called Bethlehem Center, but the location of Bethlehem Center is now where Glenmont is today and where Glenmont was located, at the intersection of Glenmont Road and Route 144, there is no hamlet today. There is a hamlet on many town maps called South Albany, but that's another story.

Furthermore, we are not on the border of Delaware and Maryland as Delmar, MD and Delmar, DE are and we don't live by the sea as the French words, "de la mare," imply. But it is likely that it was the influence of the Post Office that brought about the name of Delmar. Up until 1884, Delmar was called Adamsville after Nathaniel Adams, who came here in 1836 and became the first postmaster in 1840, but mail was being mis-sent. New York already had an Adams. The town of Adams, NY near Lake Ontario was founded in 1796 and within the town of Adams there was an Adams Village.

For a short time, the name was changed to Adams Station but a petition was presented to change the name to Delmar. The Delaware and Hudson Railroad, which had a run from Albany to Binghamton with several stops in Bethlehem, had already changed the name of the Adamsville station to the Delmar station. Apparently they didn't like the name, "Adamsville," because it was too long and confusing for conductors to call out. However, with that logic, one wonders how the Slingerlands station kept its name, but it was the influential Slingerland family that had something to do with that. The Delmar petition passed and the hamlet became known as Delmar in 1892.

And again in 2005, it was likely the influence of the Post Office that made Delmar a "Great American Town." The demographics of an area are commonly organized by zip code and Delmar's 12054 which includes the hamlets of Elsmere and Normansville and is surrounded by Glenmont's 12077, Selkirk's 12158 and Slingerlands' 12159, together with the nearby resources of Albany, made Delmar standout. It met all of Money Magazine's requirements to be 22nd on their list, which included a population of 14,000-plus, higher than median income, positive population growth, real estate appreciation, a major airport within 60 miles, a major teaching hospital (Albany Med) within 30 miles, high scores in education, low unemployment, low crime, low commute times and access to arts and leisure facilities.  

[Article originally published in the September 2005 Issue of Our Towne]

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A PUZZLE AT THE END OF THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

The route for the Bethlehem Memorial Day Parade traditionally begins at the American Legion then heads over to Kenwood Avenue and onto Delaware Avenue. It concludes at the small, triangular park just south of the old railroad crossing. Most of us know that this park is the Bethlehem Veterans Memorial Park, but many don't know that there is a puzzle in the park.

• What was the promontory that Teddy Roosevelt and the rough riders charged up?
• In what conflict did the Blackhawk go down?
• What famous "hotel" did John McCain stay in?
• Who said he'd be back before Arnold Schwarzenegger did?
• What was the battle cry in San Antonio where no Americans survived?

The answers to all these questions and many more can be found at the Veterans Park inscribed on bricks that are specially arranged around the flagpole. As a part of the recent renewal of the landscaping and the Buy-a-Brick Campaign for the park, the inscribed bricks were added to the park to broaden the honor and recognition of those who served our country. Some bricks have been inscribed with the military engagements in which our veterans have fought. Others have been inscribed with quotes related to those engagements. The quotes reveal the passion and ideology of the time and are echoes of our history.

As one examines the bricks around the flagpole, you begin to discover the patterns in which the bricks were placed. For example, on the north side of the pole, one can see a brick (number 58) that corresponds to Patrick Henry's famous Revolutionary War quote, "Give me liberty or give me death." Next to this brick (number 50) is "The War of Independence" followed by (number 42) Paul Revere's signal to ride. These three bricks are a part of an L-shaped pattern of 11 bricks inscribed for the Revolutionary War. Other conflicts are arranged in a similar, crossword style.

To encourage community involvement, each military engagement includes at least one brick that is not inscribed. Suggestions for the blank bricks are encouraged and may be submitted through the Veterans Park web site, www.bethlehemfirst.com/veteranspark/. The website also includes a list of hints that allows one to discover all of the arrangement patterns.

So, next time you run into Stewart's for ice cream or visit other businesses near the old railroad crossing, take a walk around the newly restored and enhanced Bethlehem Veterans Memorial Park. Go to the flagpole and see if you can discover some of the arrangement patterns.

[Article originally published in the 2005 "Summer Edition" of Our Towne]

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BETHLEHEM'S YELLOW BRICK ROAD

Ever wonder why there are six rows of yellow bricks embedded into the sidewalk at the southeast corner of Four Corners? A marker near these bricks explains: 

Roads have always been important in the Town of Bethlehem. The landslide near Delaware Avenue recently emphasized that point, since many of our residents depended on the road for commuting. Furthermore, a clean, smooth roadway beautifies a town and increases property values.

In its early years when there weren't that many commuters, Bethlehem's farmers and manufacturers depended on roads to bring their goods and services to Albany. Early roads in Bethlehem were simply ruts carved into the ground by the many horses and wagons that traversed them. In good weather, travel on these roads was brutal. Add inclement weather and it comes to a halt.
Laying cut timbers across a road was one of the first "paving" methods used in Colonial times. These roads, called plank roads, were especially useful for low-lying, swampy areas. However, loose timbers were very dangerous to horses as their hooves could slide deep into the mud between timbers.

Crushed stone was another popular "paving" method. However, during very wet weather or the spring's "mud season," crushed stone still didn't hold up well.

Bethlehem's solution to the need for a good road in the 1800's was the "cobblestone" road paved with bricks -- but not just common, everyday, red bricks, but yellow bricks. What could possibly be more beautiful than a yellow brick road from Albany to Bethlehem? And this predates both the "Wizard of Oz" and Elton John's goodbye to his yellow brick road.

Today, remnants of the old yellow brick road are still around. Besides the six rows of yellow bricks at four corners there are also remnants of the actual road near the Old Delaware Avenue Bridge over the Normanskill. On the south side of the bridge, parts of the old road can still be seen in Normansville. On the north side, parts of the old road are still being used today by the City of Albany.

Today's Delaware Avenue has long since passed by the 200-year-old road chartered to the Albany and Delaware Turnpike Company. However, efforts in Bethlehem are underway to return some of its original beauty. The Normansville Yellow Brick Road Enhancement Committee is currently making plans to cleanup and beautify the south side of the Normanskill near the Old Delaware Avenue Bridge. Information about their efforts, including additional historical information, a progress page and a buy-a-brick campaign can be found on the Internet at http://www.bethlehemfirst.com/yellowbrickroad/.

[Article originally published in the 2005 "Spring Edition" of Our Towne]

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AN HISTORICAL, BETHLEHEM CRUISE ON THE HUDSON RIVER

During the time of the Revolutionary War, the Hudson River was a major transportation route. If the British could control this route, it would cut communication and the flow of supplies between New England and the rest of the colonies. It would also eliminate a very navigable passage as an American transportation route. At the same time for the British, it would open a major supply route from New Britain (Canada) to New York City, which were both held by the British for most of war. Therefore, it's not surprising that the Hudson River passes near a wealth of Revolutionary War sites from New York City to Glens Falls, including "Our Towne" of Bethlehem.

CEDAR HILL -- Prior to the 19th Century, the river was main-street America. Today, Cedar Hill is an historic place on this “street.” One of its first visitors was the Dutch explorer, Henry Hudson, as documented by a marker near the American Flag in the Henry Hudson Park.

During the Revolution, the area was home to Colonel Francis Nicoll, who served in the New York Militia from 1775-1778. He participated in the extraction of cannons and munitions from New York City, prior to its surrender to the British in 1776. He also participated in the defense of Albany from Burgoyne’s invasion from Canada in 1777.

Although not visible today from the Hudson, Nicoll’s home still stands at Cedar Hill. Near the home is a small cemetery where Col. Nicoll is buried. Also buried in the cemetery are seven other Revolutionary War soldiers, including Lt. Arie Van Wie and Sergeant James Selkirk. Van Wie’s point is another historic place on the Hudson and is about two miles further north on the Hudson. The Bethlehem hamlet of Selkirk was named after the Selkirk family.

VAN WIE POINT -- The point was settled by the Van Wie family in the mid 1600’s. Later, it became a popular docking area for passengers going to Albany. Docking in Albany was considered hazardous due to shallows in the river. Dredging corrected this problem in the early 20th century.

ABBEY HOTEL -- About a mile and a half north of Van Wie Point is the hamlet of Glenmont where the Abbey Hotel once stood. It was owned by Hugh Jolley, who emigrated from Galway, Scotland in 1772. The Abbey Hotel was an important way station between Albany and Van Wie Point. It was raised in the 1960’s.

Hugh Jolley served in the New York State Militia during the Revolutionary War and is buried in the cemetery at Cedar Hill.

As you sail further north on the Hudson, you will pass other areas where 18th century patriots once lived including Fort Crailo in Renssalaer, the Schuyler Mansion in Albany and the Van Schaick home in Troy. Above the Capital District, you will pass areas where they fought and skirmished, including the Saratoga Battlefield in Stillwater, Fort Hardy in Schuylerville and Fort Edward. For more information about these areas, see http://www.revolutionaryday.com/champlaincanal/.

[Article originally published in the 2005 "End of Winter Edition" of Our Towne]

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SUPERVISORS OF THE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

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