Hurstville, New York

Hurstville
City of Albany, New York
Former hamlet of Bethlehem, New York
Formerly: Log Tavern
Name origin: Named for William Hurst
Country United States
State New York
Region Capital District
County Albany
Municipality City of Albany
Coordinates
Founded 1861
Timezone EST (UTC-5)
 - summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP Code 12208
Area code 518
Location of Hurstville within the state of New York

Hurstville is a former hamlet in the town of Bethlehem, New York. Today it is part of the city of Albany. Hurstville was located in a bend of the Albany, Rensselaerville, and Schoharie Turnpike (today New Scotland Road) at the intersections with Whitehall and Krumkill roads; just outside the city limits of Albany.

History

Hurstville's earliest settlers were Urban Van Hart, William Gilber, and a man by the name of Hagadorn. Hagadorn built a log tavern which gave this place its earliest name, that of Log Tavern.[1] In 1861 William Hurst moved to this location and, within a few years of the Albany, Rensselaerville, and Schoharie Plank Road (later turnpike) being built through here, built the Hurstville Hotel.[1][2] The hotel was built on the site of an earlier hotel, the "Log Tavern".[3] He also later built a trotting track at the northeast corner of Whitehall Road and New Scotland Avenue.[2] During the Prohibition Era the hotel was known as the Love Nest and was a speak easy.[3] The hotel burned down in 1929.[2]

Also in 1929 the Albany Municipal Golf Course was constructed at Hurstville on land the city of Albany purchased in Bethlehem. In 1967 the residents of Hurstville and Karlsfeld, wishing for access to city water and sewer, were annexed to the city of Albany.[3]

References