The driving tour of Albany starts with a quick history on Albany’s early beginnings in the late 1880’s and early 20th century, highlighting the influence of carpetbaggers from the north, the L&N Railroad shops, and the rivalry with sister city Decatur.
Delano Park & Rose Garden, located at Gordon Drive and 8th Avenue, was created in 1887 as the focal point of a whole new city. Today, Delano Park continues to draw residents and visitors alike to relax and play.
Across from Delano Park on Gordon Drive are the first three homes on the tour, highlighting Victorian and Arts and Crafts architecture.
Located at 1012 Gordon Drive, the Wolcott-Bailey home is a brick bungalow built around 1919. The next three homes on the tour are located one block north on Sherman Street and include a wide range of architectural styles.
The 600 block of Sherman Street is home to five houses on the tour. As you can imagine looking at the impressive structures today, the original owners of the homes were influential leaders in Albany in the late 1800’s.
Victorian style with Queen Anne influences, Colonial Revival architecture, a home with a combination of both styles, and Georgian Revival are all highlighted on Jackson Street.
A home built as an incentive for industrial recruitment and stone home built by a pioneering female architect are featured here.
The south side of the 400 block of Jackson Street features the most intact set of late-Victorian houses in the Albany Historic District, all built between 1888 and 1906.
Two churches and a former armory are stops 23, 24 and 25, each with unique architecture and interesting histories. Both church buildings were physically turned about 1950 to face north, allowing the two congregations to expand the facilities.
The Princess Theatre has had many transformations over the years. It began as a livery stable in 1887, became a playhouse in 1919, received an Art Deco facelift in 1941, and today is a performing arts center.