Alcove, New York
Encyclopedia
Alcove is a hamlet in the town of Coeymans, Albany County
, New York
. It is a prime example of a 19th century mill town located at a rural intersection and as such it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the Albany area as the Alcove Historic District
. The city of Albany
's Alcove Reservoir
lies to the west of the hamlet.
. In 1790 an early settler by the name of Casperus Ackerman established the first mill in the area. In 1844 Ephraim Andrews established the Valley Mill for carding of wool and cloth manufacturing along the Hannacroix Creek at the corners of what is now New York State Route 143
and Albany County Route 111. It would be expanded in 1848 and converted to the manufacturing of straw paper by John E. Andrews, and in 1854 in partnership with WS Briggs improvements such as steam power were introduced. WS Briggs and Sons was formed as a partnership in control of the mills in 1871 with Briggs' son Amos D. Briggs as proprietor. This partnership would buy other local mills as well, including Ephraim Andrews'. An early name for Alcove was Stephensville, named for Archibald Stephens who at one time owned the Andrews' mill prior to selling it to WS Briggs and Sons. When the post office
was established in the hamlet in 1881 it took the name Alcove. The Valley Mill was destroyed by fire in 1892 leaving the 110 feet (33.5 m) chimney as the only remnant. The chimney is on the National Register of Historic Places and along with 140 acre (0.5665604 km²) of the hamlet it is a part of the Alcove Historic District
. The district was created in 1980 and has eight contributing properties
. The Alcove Preservation Association has been attempting to restore the chimney with hopes of creating a pocket park and interpretive historical center.
The Alcove Reservoir was created (1928-1931) by damming the Hannacrois Creek
which resulted in the flooding and destruction of the nearby hamlet of Indian Fields. The Indian Fields cemetery was relocated to NY 143 at the northern edge of Alcove.
. Since the city of Albany does not release water from the reservoir during dry spells the Hannacroix often goes dry for the first two miles (3 km) downstream from the dam. Coeymans Hollow and the village of Ravena
are to the east and Greene County
to the south. The hamlet is centered at the crossroads of Albany County Route 111 and Alcove Road and stretches north along the former to New York State Route 143
.
bluestone. A large smokestack on Albany County Route 111 at the hamlet's border was once part of a large mill which has since been demolished; it is on the National Register of Historic Places. A one-room school house that once served the hamlet still stands, though it has been converted into a private residence.
(RCS) and the children attend Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School for kindergarten through fifth grade, and Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School
for sixth through twelfth.
, and Coeymans
. NY 143 also connects the hamlet to US Route 9W and the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway (I-87
).
Albany County, New York
Albany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, and is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England . As of the 2010 census, the population was 304,204...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It is a prime example of a 19th century mill town located at a rural intersection and as such it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the Albany area as the Alcove Historic District
Alcove Historic District
Alcove Historic District is a historic district in Alcove, New York in Albany County, New York. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. In 1980, it included eight contributing buildings....
. The city of Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
's Alcove Reservoir
Alcove Reservoir
Alcove Reservoir is a reservoir located in Albany County, New York, United States. It serves as water supply for the city of Albany. At in elevation, the closest hamlet is Alcove, part of the town of Coeymans. New York State Route 32 passes the reservoir on the west...
lies to the west of the hamlet.
History
The history of Alcove is a history of the mills established along the Hannacroix (Haanacrois) CreekHannacrois Creek
Hannacrois Creek is a tributary to the Hudson River in the U.S. state of New York. From its source in Westerlo it flows through Dunbar Hollows and over Dickinson Falls to the Alcove Reservoir...
. In 1790 an early settler by the name of Casperus Ackerman established the first mill in the area. In 1844 Ephraim Andrews established the Valley Mill for carding of wool and cloth manufacturing along the Hannacroix Creek at the corners of what is now New York State Route 143
New York State Route 143
New York State Route 143 is a state highway in New York. The highway runs from the town of Westerlo to the hamlet of Coeymans. Located entirely in Albany County, NY 143 is a two-lane highway its entire length.-Route description:...
and Albany County Route 111. It would be expanded in 1848 and converted to the manufacturing of straw paper by John E. Andrews, and in 1854 in partnership with WS Briggs improvements such as steam power were introduced. WS Briggs and Sons was formed as a partnership in control of the mills in 1871 with Briggs' son Amos D. Briggs as proprietor. This partnership would buy other local mills as well, including Ephraim Andrews'. An early name for Alcove was Stephensville, named for Archibald Stephens who at one time owned the Andrews' mill prior to selling it to WS Briggs and Sons. When the post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
was established in the hamlet in 1881 it took the name Alcove. The Valley Mill was destroyed by fire in 1892 leaving the 110 feet (33.5 m) chimney as the only remnant. The chimney is on the National Register of Historic Places and along with 140 acre (0.5665604 km²) of the hamlet it is a part of the Alcove Historic District
Alcove Historic District
Alcove Historic District is a historic district in Alcove, New York in Albany County, New York. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. In 1980, it included eight contributing buildings....
. The district was created in 1980 and has eight contributing properties
Contributing property
In the law regulating historic districts in the United States, a contributing resource or contributing property is any building, structure, or object which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make the historic district, listed locally or federally, significant...
. The Alcove Preservation Association has been attempting to restore the chimney with hopes of creating a pocket park and interpretive historical center.
The Alcove Reservoir was created (1928-1931) by damming the Hannacrois Creek
Hannacrois Creek
Hannacrois Creek is a tributary to the Hudson River in the U.S. state of New York. From its source in Westerlo it flows through Dunbar Hollows and over Dickinson Falls to the Alcove Reservoir...
which resulted in the flooding and destruction of the nearby hamlet of Indian Fields. The Indian Fields cemetery was relocated to NY 143 at the northern edge of Alcove.
Geography
Alcove is situated along the banks of the Hannacroix Creek east of the Alcove ReservoirAlcove Reservoir
Alcove Reservoir is a reservoir located in Albany County, New York, United States. It serves as water supply for the city of Albany. At in elevation, the closest hamlet is Alcove, part of the town of Coeymans. New York State Route 32 passes the reservoir on the west...
. Since the city of Albany does not release water from the reservoir during dry spells the Hannacroix often goes dry for the first two miles (3 km) downstream from the dam. Coeymans Hollow and the village of Ravena
Ravena, New York
Ravena is a village in Albany County, New York, United States. United States. The population was 3,268 at the 2010 census. The village is in the southeast part of the town of Coeymans.- History :The village of Ravena incorporated in 1914...
are to the east and Greene County
Greene County, New York
Greene County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Its name is in honor of the American Revolutionary War general Nathanael Greene. Its county seat is Catskill...
to the south. The hamlet is centered at the crossroads of Albany County Route 111 and Alcove Road and stretches north along the former to New York State Route 143
New York State Route 143
New York State Route 143 is a state highway in New York. The highway runs from the town of Westerlo to the hamlet of Coeymans. Located entirely in Albany County, NY 143 is a two-lane highway its entire length.-Route description:...
.
Location
Architecture
Several of the older houses in the hamlet are constructed of, or faced with, HelderbergHelderberg Escarpment
The Helderberg Escarpment is an escarpment in eastern New York, roughly west of the city of Albany....
bluestone. A large smokestack on Albany County Route 111 at the hamlet's border was once part of a large mill which has since been demolished; it is on the National Register of Historic Places. A one-room school house that once served the hamlet still stands, though it has been converted into a private residence.
Education
Alcove is a part of the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School DistrictRavena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central Schools
The Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central Schools are located in Albany County, New York. There are four schools in the district: Albertus W. Becker Elementary, Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary, R.C.S. Middle School, and Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School . Albertus W. Becker Elementary is located in...
(RCS) and the children attend Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School for kindergarten through fifth grade, and Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School is a small yet notable high school in Ravena, New York, about 9 miles south of Albany, New York on U.S...
for sixth through twelfth.
Transportation
New York State Route 143 (NY 143) links Alcove to the other major population centers of the town of Coeymans, including (from west to east) Coeymans Hollow, Aquetuck, RavenaRavena, New York
Ravena is a village in Albany County, New York, United States. United States. The population was 3,268 at the 2010 census. The village is in the southeast part of the town of Coeymans.- History :The village of Ravena incorporated in 1914...
, and Coeymans
Coeymans (CDP), New York
Coeymans is a hamlet in Albany County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 835.Coeymans is a community in the southeastern part of the Town of Coeymans...
. NY 143 also connects the hamlet to US Route 9W and the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway (I-87
Interstate 87
Interstate 87 is a Interstate Highway located entirely within New York State in the United States of America. I-87 is the longest intrastate Interstate highway in the Interstate Highway System. Its southern end is at the Bronx approaches of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in New York City...
).