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Superfund Sites in Troy
Introduction
Troy, located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River and the western edge of Rensselaer County, is a city in the State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. The city shares a close association with the neighboring cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly known as the Capital District. The city's motto, "Ilium fuit, Troja est," means "Ilium was, Troy is." Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area was inhabited by the Mohican Indian Tribe, and the Dutch started settling in the mid-17th century under the patroon Kiliaen van Rensselaer.
Steel Work in Troy
During the 19th century and the early 20th century, Troy was not only one of the most affluent cities in New York State, but also one of the most successful cities in the country. The city's substantial wealth was generated primarily from the steel industry, which initially relied on charcoal and iron ore from the Adirondacks.
The Burden Iron Works, also known as H. Burden & Sons was a hallmark of industrial innovation during the 19th century. The company produced horseshoes that were used by the Union Army, railroad spikes for tracks that spanned the continental United States, and rivets. The strategic location of Troy allowed the Burden Iron Works to receive raw materials and ship finished goods via river, canals, and railroads that were situated nearby. At the peak of its operations, the company was one of the largest employers in Troy, with over 1,400 workers.
As the 19th century drew to a close, the fortunes of the Burden Iron Company declined. The brothers who inherited the business after their father's (Henry Burden) passing had a contentious relationship. While they fought and ultimately failed to keep the Iron Company afloat, the iron industry was relocating to areas where coal and raw materials were more readily available. In 1940, the Republic Steel Corporation acquired the remaining assets of the company, primarily interested in the blast furnace. Most of the other buildings were demolished, and the office was converted into a storage facility.