Troy and the Industrial Revolution

Introduction[edit]

Troy during the tail end of the Industrial Revolution was arguably at its peak. During the later years of the 19th century and first half of the 20th century, Troy became well known for its textile manufacturing, most notably collars which gained it the nickname of “Collar City” [1]. Before this, Troy still had a thriving industrial presence, largely due to it’s location.

Railroads in Troy During the Industrial Revolution[edit]

The Industrial Revolution was a time of significant transformation, particularly in transportation. One notable development in Troy, New York during this period was the expansion of railroads, which played a vital role in connecting the city to regional and national markets.

Among many railroads one significant and early Troy railroad was the Troy and Schenectady Railroad. Established in 1836, the Troy and Schenectady Railroad was the first major railroad in Troy. It connected the city to Schenectady and Albany, and provided a crucial link to the Erie Canal. This railroad facilitated faster and more efficient transportation of goods and people, contributing to Troy's economic growth.

As the railroad network expanded throughout the United States, additional lines were developed in Troy. This expansion led to the city becoming a significant hub for transportation, particularly in the iron and steel industries. The extensive rail connections allowed for the rapid movement of raw materials and finished products, attracting new businesses and industries to the area. This, in turn, bolstered Troy's economy and population growth during the Industrial Revolution. [6]

Pre-Collar City[edit]

Troy attracted a large amount of factories and businesses due to its proximity to the Hudson river [1]. The founding of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1824 also drew industrial development to the area [2]. One of the first factories in the area was the Mahon Taylor’s paper mill which began business sometime before 1782 [3]. Other factories appeared in the 1800s such as the Troy Rubber India Company and the American Seal Paint factory [3]. By the turn of the century, the dominant industry was the textile industry.

Collar City[edit]

The detachable collar was invented by Hannah Lord Montague in 1825 [4]. As a housewife, she had been growing tired of washing a large amount of shirts worn by her husband, and one day used a pair of shears to remove the collar of the shirt which was comparatively much dirtier than the rest of the shirt [4]. This lead to the invention of the detachable collar and in turn jumpstarted the clothing industry in Troy [3]. Soon after, the main complex for the International Shirt and Collar Company was constructed in 1893. The company closed only 13 years later in 1906, and the Troy Underwear Company. In 1935, Tiny Togs, a large children’s clothing manufacturer moved from New York City to Troy.

Post-Revolution Decline and Today[edit]

After the first World War, detachable collars fell out of popularity, and with them Troy’s industrial dominance fell as well [5]. The population of the Hudson Valley region was at its highest in the 1950s, and saw a sharp decline in the 1970s and 1980s [2]. Many of the structures that once housed the factories are being used in the area as a variety of buildings, although a fair amount have been left abandoned [2]. Efforts have been made to have a “tech revolution” to revitalize the area, but these have been small in comparison to the prosperity seen during the Industrial Revolution.

Dams in Troy[edit]

For thousands of years, herring have left the ocean to swim up the Hudson River to its tributaries to lay their eggs. However, in recent years, this has been an impossible task thanks to dams. [8]

It’s estimated that there are 2,000 dams in the Hudson River Estuary between New York City and Albany, N.Y. State officials estimate that there is one dam every 1,200 acres across the Hudson. Most are small and obsolete, artifacts from the Industrial Revolution, and serve absolutely no purpose other than messing with fish migration and harming the ecology of the Hudson river. Even small dams mess with the flow of nutrients and sediments vital to the food web. [8]

In June of 2016, the City of Troy removed a long-abandoned, six foot, industrial dam from the mouth of a Hudson River tributary with a $12,500 grant from the state Environmental Protection Fund. The dam was discovered in 2013 as it was long hidden by the ruins of an old iron works. Just days after the removal of the rusted, steel, Wynantskill dam, hundreds of river herring swarmed up into the shallow waters to spawn for the first time in 85 years. [7]

The estuary is an important breeding ground for several species of herring. Historically, the Hudson tributary streams were filled with herring during spring spawning runs, but dams built during the Industrial Revolution caused herring populations to diminish, and pollution and overfishing have only worsened things. [7]

Herring are an integral part of the aquatic food chain. They are the primary food source for many other species and used as bait fish for striped bass recreational fishing, a major business in the Hudson estuary. [7]

The removal of the dam has restored spawning habitat for herring and other aquatic species that have been devastated by habitat loss, pollution and overfishing. This removal was the first barrier removed in the river from Troy to the Atlantic. [7]

Mayor Patrick Madden said that anything for the health of the river is good for the people of Troy as the Hudson is part of the city’s psyche. [9]

“We’ve got so much waterfront here in Troy. We relate so much to the river. It touches so much of our history; not just the river but the tributaries as well. This impediment is part of our history. It’s good to get it out of there and let nature take its course again,” said Madden [9].