Guilderland, New York

Book excerpt: From an early Dutch and Palatine-settled farming community to a sprawling suburb adjacent to a metropolitan city, Guilderland, New York explores the town's early crossroads, hamlets, and villages from 1880 to 1960. Through more than 200 images from the Guilderland Historical Society, this photographic tribute to the community's rich and diverse legacy reflects the many changes the town has experienced through the years. Discover French's Hollow, one of the nation's first industrial parks, which began in Guilderland in the 1790s. View the natural hills and vales of Tawasentha, legendary for its Native American heritage, and the Great Western Turnpike, one of the first pioneer roads leading to the west. Many families who have had a profound influence on the community are also featured in this collection. The industry of Guilderland's early families and the town's key location have resulted in the main transportation routes, turnpikes, railroads, the New York State Thruway, corporate businesses, and the State University campus that exist today.