I grew up in Niskayuna in the late 50's, and remember the old bridge well. My grandmother lived in Elnora so my mom and I would cross it almost daily. The old bridge was built on the arches of the original Canal aqueduct, and entered Rexford slightly to the west of the current bridge. There was a fantastic old general store once you got onto the Rexford side, and I can still remember the smell of it. Old wooden sagging floors, and a sagging front porch. There was no air conditioning, and the building had this wonderful ancient smell, as if it had been there forever. I found out long after it had gone that it was built in the 1820's with the canal. In the center of the store were these two enormous (to an eight year old) flat freezers with sliding glass doors, and I loved feeling the rush of arctic air onto my face on hot summer nights when I slid one open to reach for a popsicle. Uphill from the store stood the old McLane Hotel, a spectacular three storied wooden Victorian edifice with wrap around porches and a cupola with a crumbling iron railing. The hotel had closed, but the bar remained open. A dimly lit, high ceiling affair with an enormous mahogany bar backed with ceiling high mirrors. Passing the hotel at night was a spooky thing in those days. The bridge was begun in the early 60's as I recall, and the whole thing took about three years. It certainly was finished by '65 though. The traffic back-ups at rush hour with the Knolls and GE traffic were memorable. I can still hear my mom's radio playing Hank Williams while we were stuck waiting to cross. Oh, and I really thought it was cool when you crossed the old bridge and could look down below the grating and could see the water rushing below. Thanks for a great video. I really brought me back in a way I did not think was still possible.
What a great video! I never realized that there was an aqueduct there or even what one really was until now. Imagine, the bridge I drive over used to be covered in water and boats went over it!
Dave, you did a great job making this video. You are very talented and I really enjoyed it. Thanks from your longtime friend Steve Novak 2/24/2021. By the way watching all that running water made me want to get a drink and take a whiz ha ha.
THIS!!!!!! BY FAR !!! IS GREAT!!!!!!! Alot of work went into the making of this video and it shows. Every new video, gets better with experience ! Bravo! I love watching all the shows that take me through Historic Schenectady. Thank You for taking the time to document and share it.
An interesting perspective! A wonderful combination of background music and video. I want to check on the date that the current Rt 146 bridge at Rexford was constructed: 1965?
I thought you were going to share some photos or videos from your trip. I guess it's considered a private affair. I look forward to some more videos of the sweet boy who has probably been wondering where you went. :-)
I grew up in Niskayuna in the late 50's, and remember the old bridge well. My grandmother lived in Elnora so my mom and I would cross it almost daily. The old bridge was built on the arches of the original Canal aqueduct, and entered Rexford slightly to the west of the current bridge. There was a fantastic old general store once you got onto the Rexford side, and I can still remember the smell of it. Old wooden sagging floors, and a sagging front porch. There was no air conditioning, and the building had this wonderful ancient smell, as if it had been there forever. I found out long after it had gone that it was built in the 1820's with the canal. In the center of the store were these two enormous (to an eight year old) flat freezers with sliding glass doors, and I loved feeling the rush of arctic air onto my face on hot summer nights when I slid one open to reach for a popsicle.
Uphill from the store stood the old McLane Hotel, a spectacular three storied wooden Victorian edifice with wrap around porches and a cupola with a crumbling iron railing. The hotel had closed, but the bar remained open. A dimly lit, high ceiling affair with an enormous mahogany bar backed with ceiling high mirrors. Passing the hotel at night was a spooky thing in those days.
The bridge was begun in the early 60's as I recall, and the whole thing took about three years. It certainly was finished by '65 though. The traffic back-ups at rush hour with the Knolls and GE traffic were memorable. I can still hear my mom's radio playing Hank Williams while we were stuck waiting to cross.
Oh, and I really thought it was cool when you crossed the old bridge and could look down below the grating and could see the water rushing below.
Thanks for a great video. I really brought me back in a way I did not think was still possible.
What a great video! I never realized that there was an aqueduct there or even what one really was until now. Imagine, the bridge I drive over used to be covered in water and boats went over it!
How beautiful. Thank you for a great video.
The music in this video is incredible
My compliments to David Tanner for his inspiration of life’s blessings I appreciate your time great video
Dave, you did a great job making this video. You are very talented and I really enjoyed it. Thanks from your longtime friend Steve Novak 2/24/2021. By the way watching all that running water made me want to get a drink and take a whiz ha ha.
THIS!!!!!! BY FAR !!! IS GREAT!!!!!!! Alot of work went into the making of this video and it shows. Every new video, gets better with experience ! Bravo! I love watching all the shows that take me through Historic Schenectady. Thank You for taking the time to document and share it.
Well done! Very informative and excellently peaceful! Thank you for sharing!
Great video I can't wait to see it next spring just moved to the area
Again thanks
Great job w/video! I've stood on that same spot overlooking the Mohawk River.....the good old days!
Beautiful, beautiful!
This was my old paper route in the sixties. I froze my ass off walking across the Rexford bridge in the winter.
Great Vid !!
This is a great video! Awe inspiring... I would love to know who actually shot this and put it together...
DAVID TANNER schenectady videos on FaceBook
An interesting perspective! A wonderful combination of background music and video. I want to check on the date that the current Rt 146 bridge at Rexford was constructed: 1965?
when I was a kid I would jump off that bridge in the river
me too.
Ok I'm Home sick now.
I thought you were going to share some photos or videos from your trip. I guess it's considered a private affair. I look forward to some more videos of the sweet boy who has probably been wondering where you went. :-)