135 1/2 S Ferry ST, Schenectady, NY, 12305

135 ½ S Ferry Street is located right outside of the Historic Stockade District in the City of Schenectady, NY. The Historic Stockade is one of the oldest residential neighborhoods in New York State, and was designated as the first historic neighborhood in New York State as well. While walking through this neighborhood, various architectural styles can be spotted from a wide range of time periods: Dutch Colonial from the early settler period, to Georgian and Federal styles, through the Victorian Era. 

Settled by Dutch merchants and fur-traders in 1661, the first neighborhood in Schenectady flourished for decades. In 1690, the Stockade, along the Mohawk River, was attacked by an army of French and their Native American allies. The entire neighborhood was burned down and destroyed, and residents were massacred in the fighting. Two years later, the area was resettled and it resumed its thriving businesses in trade, particularly in animal furs. 

During the 19th century, when 135 ½ S Ferry Street was built, Schenectady began to modernize with the advent of industrialized warehouses and docks service ships that traversed the Mohawk River. The creation of the Erie Canal, which was finished in October of 1825, led to an economic boom in Upstate New York. This also resulted in the commercial aspects of the Stockade relocating closer to the canal.

135 ½ South Ferry Street is an example of later Federalist period architecture. Built in 1803, the home shares a wall with 137 South Ferry Street, an historical building that has since become a commercial and residential building. Some qualities of Federal style architecture that can be observed at 135 ½ South Ferry Street is that it is rectangular in shape, and constructed relatively simply. Other Federal style buildings that can be found in the Capital District are often larger, about two to three stories with a greater square footage. One historically significant example of Federal architecture is the Ten Broeck Mansion, located in the Ten Broeck Triangle Historic District of Albany, NY. Another house on this tour, 27 Wilson Street, is located in the Ten Broeck Triangle Historic District.

McQueen, Brian. Zillow. September 26th 2020. Accessed November 1st 2020. https://www.zillow.com/homes/135-1-2-South-Ferry-Street_rb/2105702549_zpid/.

“Stockade History.” The Stockade Association. The Stockade Association. Accessed November 1, 2020. http://historicstockade.com/?page_id=206. 

Department of the Interior. National Park Service. (3/2/1934 - ) New York SP Stockade Historic District. National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form. File Unit: National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: New York, 1964 - 2013 Series: National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 - 2017 Record Group 79: Records of the National Park Service, 1785 - 2006. April 3, 1973.National Archives Identifier: 75321703.