Albany Street Name History

1. In the early to mid 18th century, Albany had a Lydius Street. It would eventually become which current roadway?

Western Ave

Washington Ave

Madison Ave

Delaware Ave

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).

Explanation

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).

2. Livingston Ave was once called…

Lumber Street

Myers Street

Arbor Street

Warehouse Street

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.

Explanation

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.

3. Of the following names, which one was NOT used at one point for State Street?

Jonkers Street

Prince Street

Deer Street

Staatshuis Street

"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.)

Explanation

"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.)

4. In 1867, the part of Central Ave near Washington Park was renamed from…

Schenectady Pike

Houston Street

The Bowery

Patroon Street

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.

Explanation

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.

5. Albany has many north-south streets named after birds -- including Lark, Robin, Hawk, and… Quail. What was Quail former's name?

School Street

Turkey Street

Beaverkill Road

Maple Street

As it happens, two of Albany's "bird" streets -- Quail and Robin -- had previous bird names, Turkey and Duck.

Explanation

As it happens, two of Albany's "bird" streets -- Quail and Robin -- had previous bird names, Turkey and Duck.

6. 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?

Mink

Fisher

Hare

Tiger

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.

Explanation

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.

7. Since 1695 the section of Pearl Street north of what's now State Street has also had which name(s)…

Market Street

Duke Street

Sturgeon Street

All of the above

None of the above

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.

Explanation

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.