In 2009 the Albany Historical Society donated four plaques depicting historical locations.
#1 Near the south east corner of Solano and Cornell: Site of Albany’s First Official Public Building - In 1908 construction of the Albany School began on Main Street, now Solano Avenue. The building was demolished during 1946 – 1947 to make way for the current Cornell School buildings.
#2 East side of Cornell near AUSD driveway: Site of Albany’s First Firehouse - Albany’s first firehouse, complete with bell tower, was constructed near here on Cornell Avenue to protect the new city from fire. The fire house remained here until 1915 when a new station was built at the south east corner of San Pablo and Washington Avenues.
#3 North side of Solano Ave. between San Pablo and Adams: Site of First City Hall - Albany’s first City Hall was located at 1045 Solano Avenue. Built in 1915, the building was used for city government offices, meeting space, and the city library.
#4 San Palblo Ave north of Brighton: Site of Miller’s Barn -
Miller’s Barn, owned by Chris Miller, was the first school in Ocean View, now known as Albany. Located near here, the barn was also the site of the town’s first civic meetings. Mr. Miller, one of three school trustees and the town’s first Marshall, refurbished his barn by adding windows and a floor so it could be used as a school, as well as a general meeting place and a dancehall.
We are interested in your ideas for additional plaques. Please let us know your suggestions on the "contact us" page.
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“Shall we, or shall we not, change the name of our fair town”, is the question that was asked in Ocean View in late October 1909. The citizens voted on October 30th of that year to change the name to Albany to avoid confusion with another California town which had earlier chosen the name of Ocean View. The town trustees talked it over and Mayor Frank Roberts suggested the name of Albany after his birthplace of Albany New York. This proposition was accepted by the voters and the change was filed by Alameda County in the ensuing few weeks.
The Albany Historical Society commemorated this event on October 25th, 2009. Included in the celebration was the presentation to the City of Albany of a Historic Time Capsule to be opened in 2059 and Four Historic Site plaques.
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Albany resident and author Karen Sorenson has joined with the Albany Historical Society to produce Images of America Albany, an intriguing look at Albany's past. Featuring over 200 vintage images, the book draws on the extensive historical collection of the Albany Library and also includes many never-before-published historical photographs supplied by the Albany community and friends at large. ---- from the book's back cover
To order your copy, please click on the link below.
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If you would like to join or renew your membership in the Albany Historical Society, please click on this link for a membership form.
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