Central Avenue, Albany, New York

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Central Avenue, in Albany, New York, through the years has become a gateway to the West and the location for many family owned businesses, some for generations. Today Central Avenue is a 3 mile strech of road that runs east from Lark Street West to the city line, bordered by the Town of Colonie, N.Y.

The oldest records that can be found, claim that the origins of the street are from the Iroquois Trail and then the later Mohawk Turnpike, then the Schenectady Turnpike. it was the original way West away from the city which sits at the base of Hudson River to the East.

Central Avenue has always been the main thoughfare for commerce in the City of Albany. In the beginning it was called "The Bowery." (It was named such by Dutch settlers and it referred to the word, Bouwerie" or the translation of the word Farm. More symbloically, it was a place for flowers and plantings. The reference to the Bowery was dropped after the meaning of the word changed by the reputation of the New York Bowery, which was less than desirable.

It was on July 15th, 1867 the City of Albany, N.Y. Common Council eliminated the Nme Bowery and created Central Avenue. (according to some historians, at that time the City Council was trying to eliminate many references to the early Dutch road names)

The Central Avenue corridor is currently Managed by a Business Improvement District. The BID is called the Central District Management Association, Inc.

More information on Central Avenue, Albany, NY click to http://www.AlbanyCentral.com

For More information from the City of Albany Official Web Site: http://www.albanyny.org/