Schenectady in 1892: Photos from the Album of Edward Winslow Paige

Photograph of southwest corner of Union Street and Ferry Street, taken August 9, 1892. From 1892 Stockade Album of Edward Winslow Paige, p. 44. 

In the collections of the Grems-Doolittle Library is a remarkable album containing nearly 300 photographs of Schenectady, all taken in a single year -- 1892. The photographs in the album were taken and described by Edward Winslow Paige (1844-1918). Paige was born in Schenectady to Alonzo C. Paige and Harriet Bowers Mumford Paige. He worked in Schenectady as a lawyer and served as Deputy Attorney General of New York for several years before moving to New York City and practicing law there until his death in 1918. Although Paige left Schenectady during the 1880s, he continued to maintain a home on Washington Avenue. From the dates of the photographs provided in the album, it appears that Paige continued to visit Schenectady frequently in the years after he moved to New York City.

Paige meticulously photographed the area that we now call the Stockade neighborhood, as well as parts of Schenectady's downtown. For each image, he made a series of brief notes about the streets, homes, and businesses depicted and about the people living in the houses he photographed. Paige's album captures the neighborhood and community life of the period. A few images from this notable resource are included below.

Northeast corner of Washington Avenue and State Street. Notice the streetlamp over the intersection. From 1892 Stockade Album of Edward Winslow Paige, p. 68. 

Winter view of the Erie Canal from the State Street canal bridge.  From 1892 Stockade Album of Edward Winslow Paige, p. 49.

Hetty Yates with her father Austin Yates and the family's dog in front of Austin Yates' home on Washington Avenue. The bridge across the Mohawk River to Scotia can be seen in the background, at left. From 1892 Stockade Album of Edward Winslow Paige, p. 22. 

Trolley traveling on Washington Avenue toward State Street. From 1892 Stockade Album of Edward Winslow Paige, p. 58. 

Paige meets John Palmer and an unidentified girl on Church Street. This view looks north , toward Front Street. From 1892 Stockade Album of Edward Winslow Paige, p. 71. 

The north side of State Street just east of Ferry Street. Suits are hung in front of Holtzmann's clothing store to attract customers. From 1892 Stockade Album of Edward Winslow Paige, p. 33. 

Children pull friends on a sled down Union Street between Church Street and Washington Avenue (this photo shows the south side of the street). From 1892 Stockade Album of Edward Winslow Paige, p. 4. 

View of State street looking west from the railroad tracks toward the canal. The Edison Hotel  can be seen at right. From 1892 Stockade Album of Edward Winslow Paige, p. 53. 

North side of Union Street from Ferry Street, looking east. From 1892 Stockade Album of Edward Winslow Paige, p. 31.