Albany Street Name History
Questions and Answers
- 1.
In the early to mid 18th century, Albany had a Lydius Street. It would eventually become which current roadway?
- A.
Western Ave
- B.
Washington Ave
- C.
Madison Ave
- D.
Delaware Ave
Correct Answer
C. Madison AveExplanation
Madison had been called Wolfe Street in the 18th century, named after James Wolfe, a British hero in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham against the French near Quebec during the French and Indian War. It was then changed to Wolf Street in 1790 (again, as Albany moved from its English to animal street phase). It would later become Lydius Street, named after a prominent Dutch minister named Johannes Lydius. And in 1867 the Common Council changed the name to Madison Avenue (which apparently didn't go over well with people of Dutch heritage in the city).Rate this question:
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- 2.
Of the following names, which one was NOT used at one point for State Street?
- A.
Jonkers Street
- B.
Prince Street
- C.
Deer Street
- D.
Staatshuis Street
Correct Answer
D. Staatshuis StreetExplanation
"Staatshuis" is Dutch for "state house." It is not, however, one of State Street's former names. ("Jonkers" does come from Dutch -- it was derived from Jonkheer, a sort of honorific for a young member of the nobility.)Rate this question:
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- 3.
Livingston Ave was once called…
- A.
Lumber Street
- B.
Myers Street
- C.
Arbor Street
- D.
Warehouse Street
Correct Answer
A. Lumber StreetExplanation
Livingston had been called Lumber Street during much of the 19th century. And that made a lot of sense, because the street ran down the hill into the head of Albany's then booming lumber district along the river and Erie Canal. It was changed in 1879.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Albany went through a phase of naming its east-west streets after animals. Which animal did NOT end up being represented in a street name?
- A.
Mink
- B.
Fisher
- C.
Hare
- D.
Tiger
Correct Answer
B. FisherExplanation
Tiger Street became Lancaster Street, Hare Street became Orange Street, and Mink Street became Myrtle Avenue. There was even a Lion Street (became Washington Ave). But no love for fishers.Rate this question:
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- 5.
In 1867, the part of Central Ave near Washington Park was renamed from…
- A.
Schenectady Pike
- B.
Houston Street
- C.
The Bowery
- D.
Patroon Street
Correct Answer
C. The BoweryExplanation
The part of Central Ave near where it runs into Washington Ave was once called The Bowery. The name was an the anglicization of an old Dutch word "bouwerij," which meant farm. The thoroughfare led to the turnpike that traveled to Schenectady and, presumably, went past many farms.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Albany has many north-south streets named after birds -- including Lark, Robin, Hawk, and… Quail. What was Quail former's name?
- A.
School Street
- B.
Turkey Street
- C.
Beaverkill Road
- D.
Maple Street
Correct Answer
B. Turkey StreetExplanation
As it happens, two of Albany's "bird" streets -- Quail and Robin -- had previous bird names, Turkey and Duck.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Since 1695 the section of Pearl Street north of what's now State Street has also had which name(s)…
- A.
Market Street
- B.
Duke Street
- C.
Sturgeon Street
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
E. None of the aboveExplanation
The given question asks about the name(s) of the section of Pearl Street north of what is now State Street since 1695. The options provided are Market Street, Duke Street, Sturgeon Street, and None of the above. However, the correct answer is "None of the above" because the question states that the section of Pearl Street has had a different name, which means that none of the options provided are correct.Rate this question:
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