The Fossilized Frankfurter

Two years ago, a hot dog was impaled at the corner of Spring and Dove Streets.  As of this week, it is still there.  The hapless wiener has slid down a bit (pardon the possibly NC-17 angle) and the texture has undergone quite a few changes.  It's a dark mass that looks almost like a very dark pumice stone and there appears to be some sort of mold on it now.  It's unappetizing (to say the least).

Living In An Old Brewery

A plaque on the wall gives a short history of the Knickerbocker Apartments on Dove and Jay Streets. This massive building was once one of Albany's many breweries and, like the former Hinckel Brewery near Lincoln Park, has found a new use as a residential building.

Titanic In Center Square

One thing I love about living here is that, almost every day, I come across a place or thing with a connection to history...or a supposed connection.

In this case, it's a peachy-pink brick house at 50 Dove Street.

Erected in 1865 by prominent builder John Bridgford (he was later in charge of the early stages of the Capitol's construction), this house supposedly the home of Arthur John Bright who survived the sinking of Titanic and died in Albany in 1921.

The exhaustive Encyclopedia Titanica, however, lists Bright as passing away in 1955. This house was indeed occupied by a man by that name who is now interred the St. George's Society lot at the Albany Rural Cemetery, but was he the same man who served as quartermaster on the ill-fated Titanic?

Sheridan Avenue Memorial

Tucked into the corner of Sheridan Avenue and Dove Street, this fenced plot of grass is home to a memorial which (according to a short 2002 piece in the Times Union) honors residents of Albany's 12th Ward who fought and died in World War II.

I remember driving past this corner often as a little girl. At the time, I didn't really distinguish between memorials and mausoleums. Which led to a rather macabre image of fallen soldiers actually entombed inside, just behind that flag. The flag, back then, was smaller and set against a blue background. I'm not sure when it was repainted, but I recall it was quite shabby when I was young.

Back Wall Surprise

High on the wall of an old house at the corner of Madison Avenue and Dove Street, a small cast iron hatch. This is one of a pair set into the wall; the one below it was closed and shows the floral motif nicely. The building has obviously been altered a few times over the year; this may have been an interior wall as these seem to be part of an old chimney system.

Urban Scarecrow

This odd little figure caught my eye...or rather, slightly startled me...while walking over Dove Street a few days ago. I didn't have my camera with me, but I just had to come back for a photo.

Made of children's clothing stuffed with leaves, it sits on a doorstep not far from the house where gangster Legs Diamond was shot to death.

I doubt the little fellow would be very effective against the hundreds of crows that have been invading the neighborhood each evening. It's wearing a Giants hoodie; perhaps it's meant to frighten away fans of opposing teams instead.

The Chesterlee

I rather like buildings with names. Aside from the obvious ones like hotels and large public buildings, it just seems both a little elegant and a little quaint to come across a building with a name. Like this one - The Chesterlee - a small apartment building at the corner of Dove and Chestnut Streets.

The name itself sounds just a bit whimsical and I love the style of the lettering on the plaques.

(I'm acquainted with a man who lives here. He makes figurines out of duct tape...they're a clever bit of folk art and have been displayed around town, most notably twice in the window at the Daily Grind on Lark Street.)