Hampton Manor Opens Tomorrow

Hampton Manor Ad 1927, originally uploaded by carljohnson.

In 1927, Albany's suburbs were just beginning their boom. More and more people had the means to escape the crowded, dirty, coal-choked city through the spread of trolleys and private automobiles, and outlands like Menands and East Greenbush became attractive alternatives, with the cleaner air of the country yet only a few minutes from downtown Albany, where most of the work was.

The lake is still a beautiful resource, well used by residents and visitors despite the loss of swimming facilities and lack of investment in the scenic park along the shore. On any pleasant evening, dozens of residents will be walking the mile loop around the lake, watching the anglers, geese and the occasional paddler. (You can no longer see the lake from the Pittsfield road, though, and few would call recognize the Columbia Turnpike by that name.)

The promised pure spring water still exists, and while it isn't quite free, we don't have water meters. Unfortunately, our water is so mineral-rich that many of us are pining for the day we finally connect to the county water supply. Modern appliances aren't fond of hard water.

The trolleys haven't run in quite some time, and bus service is limited but still runs right through the neighborhood. By car it's still only 7 minutes to downtown, if you hit the lights just right. And it's still a great neighborhood to live in.

"Don't mind the 'Detour' signs. They don't apply to Hampton Manor."

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