Questions and Answers about Schenectady, New York

What are the latitude and longitude of Schenectady?

At City Hall, the location is 42 degrees 48 minutes 45 seconds north latitude, 73 degrees 56 minutes 30 seconds west longitude.

What are the highest and lowest points in Schenectady County?

The highest elevation is 1,456 feet in the western portion of the Town of Duanesburg. The lowest level is 183 feet in the Town of Niskayuna.

Source: Schenectady County Fact Book, p. 7

When was the first showing of a talking motion picture in Schenectady?

Al Jolson in "Jazz Singer," Dec. 25-31, 1927 at the Strand Theater.

Source: Francis Poulin (from a Schenectady newspaper) January 4, 1979

What is the official song of Schenectady?

"Our Schenectady," composed by John Van Laak and sung by Judi Merriam. Adopted by the Schenectady City Council Jan. 30, 1995.

In Schenectady
Our Schenectady
What a warm and friendly place it is to be
Nestled among plains and hills
With a beautiful river that always gives us thrills
And stores and shops with all that one might need or wish to see
And legends and tales and lots of history

Oh Schenectady
Our Schenectady
Let us now plan and help to make it grow

If we will all do our best
Then others can do the rest
For places to study and learn in
Places to work and earn in
Places to live in happiness

Source: Daily Gazette Jan. 31, 1995 p. B1

When were the Schenectady schools built?

Source: Schenectady Union Star May 8, 1948. More information about Schenectady schools may be found in Jeanette Neisuler's The History of Education in Schenectady, 1661-62 - 1961-62.

When did railroads first appear in Schenectady?

The DeWitt Clinton made its first run between Albany and Schenectady in 1831. From that date until 1971, passenger trains connected Schenectady with all parts of the country. Schenectady's second railroad station was built in 1842. It was the first station on the State Street location.

Construction of railroad locomotives began soon after the run of the DeWitt Clinton. John Ellis and Walter McQueen opened the Schenectady Locomotive Works in 1851. It operated until 1901, when the American Locomotive Company took over.

Source: Schenectady County Historical Society brochure. For more information, see the ALCO history.

When did the last trolleys run in Schenectady?

The last trolleys ran Jan 16, 1946 on State Street — Frank Street and State Street — McClellan Street lines.

Source: Schenectady County Historical Society, July 12, 1967

(for more history of the Schenectady Railway Company, see the Schenectady Union Star June 26, 1948, p. 25a and our Railroads page)