Albany history

Nice corner job: Remembering a builder

Written June 4th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 8 responses.

A bit of Albany history has been preserved in the city’s paving project along Washington Street. It’s the name of the contractor, the son of Oregon pioneers, who built part of the street more than a century ago.

Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: Albany history, Pacific Excavation, pavement, Umphrey, Washington Street

Old forgotten rails: When history fades

Written March 25th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 16 responses.

For many years, a remnant of a long unused railroad spur has been visible on the west end of Water Avenue at Washington Street. Before this artifact of Albany’s history disappears forever, I tried to find out where it led back in the day.

Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: "plaza street", Albany history, old rails, Railroad history, railroad spur, Washington Street, Water Avenue, Waterfront Project

An Albany park’s name: Who was Eleanor?

Written March 28th, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 18 responses.

In a story a few days ago I mentioned Albany’s Hackleman Park. But as I typed the words, I remembered the full name, Eleanor Hackleman Park.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany history, Albany parks, Eleanor Hackleman

In the box: ‘And last and least a copper penny’

Written February 18th, 2023 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 9 responses.

When the former bank building at First and Broadalbin in Albany is demolished in the next few weeks, the wreckers will be looking for the cornerstone that was placed 110 years ago.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany history, Albany urban renewal, Cornerstone, demolition, First National Bank, time capsule, Wells Fargo Bank

Bikman Building’s penthouse has new roof

Written October 11th, 2022 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 8 responses.

I parked my bike at the foot of the Ellsworth Street Bridge in Albany, ignored the decades-old “closed” sign you see down there, and walked up the eastern sidewalk, high enough to look back at a new sight.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany history, Bikman, Bikman Building, Bikman penthouse, CARA, Kiev, Ukraine

Still a railroad town after 152 years

Written August 25th, 2022 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 9 responses.

Just about every weekday afternoon, a Portland & Western feight train enters Albany on the Toledo branch from the direction of Corvallis. If you like trains and happen to be cruising past on a bike, you’re likely to stop and watch, like this:

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Albany history, Albany railroads, Ben Holladay, Oregon & California, Railroad history, Railroads

Madison School: Renovation and history

Written July 24th, 2022 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 6 responses.

There’s a lot of history in the old Madison School in Albany’s Willamette neighborhood. I looked it up when someone called my attention to the construction work taking place there now.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany history, Albany schools, Education Service District, Madison School