New York State Archives |

Troy in the Records

Our records document functions & activities of State government. With them, we can see local communities from multiple perspectives. Take a fresh look at Troy, NY using maps, photographs, documents & film like this video of Franklin Roosevelt touring the 1931 Troy Horse Show.
Aerial photograph of Troy South USGS quadrangle, 1968

Records from the Dept. of Transportation include aerial photographs created during multiple flights from 1930-2000. They include positive black & white prints, color positive prints, & infrared positives.
Survey of Lands Under Water, 1859

This map is from a series of applications to the Commissioners of the Land Office, later the Division of Land Utilization, for grants to lands under water. Applicants for this patent include the Troy Iron and Nail Factory located in South Troy.
Factory Investigating Commission data cards

The FIC compiled 70,000 cards detailing the wages & personal history of factory employees in New York. The George P. Ide & Company shirt & collar factory, was among the firms that earned Troy the nickname "Collar City."
Barge Canal construction, Lower Terminal, Troy 1914

Barge Canal Construction photographs were submitted to the State Engineer & Surveyor by the Board of Consulting Engineers. The Board was created to follow and report on the progress of work on the canal system.
Household Arts at the Troy Vocational School, 1917

The State Education Dept. compiled over 20,000 lanterns slides as instructional aids for public school curriculum. They document a variety of subjects including geography, history, natural sciences, fine arts, trades, industries and education.
Erie Canal Survey Map, 1834

This ink, wash & charcoal map of a section of the Erie Canal shows West Troy (now part of Watervliet) and Green Island. The Surveyor General & successors produced these maps in keeping with his responsibilities for surveying and mapping state lands.
State Police activities at the Troy Barracks, 1940

The Division of State Police collected or produced motion picture film for training and educational purposes. This 1940 film from the Troy Barracks includes multiple segments like "Bloodhounds on the Trail."