Explore the Charm of Unique Historic Places in Glens Falls
Find out what some of the most historic buildings are, along with their interesting backstories, in this list of unique historic places in Glens Falls. See old architecture and dive into local history at the following spots - some of which you can dine at, shop at, and explore!
Step Back in Time at the McEchron House (Now Morgan & Co.)
Also known as the William McEchron House, the McEchron House dates back to the late 1800s and was owned by William McEchron and his family. McEchron and his wife, Sarah, had the house built at 65 Ridge Street in 1891.
The McEchrons were philanthropists in the area, significantly contributing to the development of Glens Falls in many ways: William was a charter member of the YMCA, the head of the Glens Falls Paper Company, and was involved in church. Sarah was among the very first staff at the Queensbury School District in 1950.
The house incorporates elements of Queen Anne and the Romanesque Revival design, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Today, it’s home to the fine dining establishment, Morgan & Co, which opened in 2014.
Discover Artistic Legacies at The Shirt Factory
Two Glens Falls men, James Robert “JR” McMullen and Walter Leavens, opened up the Joseph Fowler and Collar Company in the late 1890s. Just a few years later in 1902 a fire destroyed the building.
A new building was constructed that is now considered to be The Shirt Factory at 71 Lawrence Street (51 Lawrence at the time); the name of the company was the McMullen-Leavens Shirt Factory.
The company expanded to include dressmaking and a laundry facility. Ownership changed hands over the years, and the company’s headquarters was moved to New York City in the 1950s. The last of the factory’s employees were laid off in the early 1990s.
The current owner Eric Unkauf purchased the building in 1996 and has been upgrading and improving it ever since. That first year, he had about 20 tenants.
Now, there are dozens and dozens of individual shops, art galleries, and more to be found at The Shirt Factory - the photos don't do it justice, this building is huge! You can still find displays and remnants of the shirt- and dress-making days of long ago.
Enjoy a Show at the Historic Park Theater
The Park Theater opened its doors in 1911, showing silent films and vaudeville productions. It closed in 1935 due to Great Depression related reasons, and it was purchased in 1984 by Dr. Harold Kirkpatrick, who envisioned the building being brought back to its old glory.
After spending over 20 years revamping the venue, thanks to Kirkpatrick the Park Theater reopened as a movie theater in 2010. In 2014, Elizabeth Miller purchased the building from the Kirkpatrick family (he had passed away at this point) and worked hard to rehabilitate the business.
The Park Theater reopened in 2018 and once again became a hub for concerts, live entertainment, and special events in Glens Falls. Doc's Restaurant, located within the theater, opened the same year, then closed in November of 2022.
That same month, Miller opened Park & Elm's market across the street from the Park Theater, followed by the restaurant element of the business that December. Now, it's super easy to enjoy dinner and a show in Glens Falls.
Uncover a Trove of Knowledge at the Crandall Public Library
The Crandall Public Library dates back to 1892, when Henry Crandall announced he wanted to provide “funds for books and a place to keep them.” This was all the more impressive when you consider that Crandall was not a highly educated man, and reportedly wasn’t a big reader.
But he was a significant figure in Glens Falls, who cared about the community, and investing in the City’s future. Even more impressively, he insisted he would only fund this operation if the books could be free to anyone interested in reading.
The library initially operated from the second floor of a commercial building on Bay Street. In 1931, a dedicated library building was constructed at 251 Glen Street. The library has undergone several expansions over the decades to accommodate growing collections and services.
Sip Coffee in the Empire Theatre Building (Now SPoT Coffee, Other Businesses)
The Empire Theatre Building was constructed between 1898 and 1899 at the former site of the Lake George Stage Coach Company’s barns. The three-story, neo-classical building included two concert halls, a lecture hall, dancing halls, and an opera house. And, there was a ballroom on the third floor, considered one of the best in the region.
The theatre opened in October of 1899 with a production of “Way Down East.” As film and radio popularity skyrocketed, live performances took a dip, and by the 1940s the theatre faced financial difficulties. It closed in 1946, and was reimagined as an office space in 1950.
The Kaidas family revitalized the building in 2008, transforming it into the Empire Theatre Plaza. The plaza comprised luxury apartments, retail spaces, and office spaces, which is what you can expect today. Grab a coffee a SPoT Coffee, which opened in this space in 2014.
Bank on History at Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company (Now Arrow Bank)
The first bank in Warren County was Glens Falls National Bank, established in 1851 on Glen Street. A fire destroyed the building in 1864 (and others), and it was rebuilt in 1867. It has operated as a bank ever since.
A notable robbery took place - not the only one! - in January of 1870. The robbers used dynamite to get into the bank vault, putting wet blankets over the windows to conceal the sound of the explosives. They absconded with approximately $20,000 (about $400,000 today).
Glens Falls National Bank merged with Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company in late 2024, forming Arrow Bank National Association, or just Arrow Bank, with the new name going into effect on January 1, 2025. Arrow Bank remains a subsidiary of Arrow Financial Corporation, along with Upstate Agency, headquartered in Glens Falls.
Heal & Discover at Glens Falls Hospital
Glens Falls Hospital dates back to 1897, when it started out at 48 Park Street at Parks Hospital. The institution was renamed Glens Falls Hospital in 1909, with the new facility opening at its current location at 100 Park Street in 1910.
The hospital has undergone many expansions over the years to accommodate the growing healthcare needs of the region, with new wings being added in 1950 and 1962, and a west tower in 1975. In 1993, the Pruyn Pavilion was added, followed by the Northwest Tower in 2005.
In 2020, Glens Falls Hospital came under the umbrella of the Albany Med Health System, and continues to serve our region. They're particularly renowned for their birth center, the Joyce Stock Snuggery, or simply "The Snuggery."
Find Educational Heritage at the St. Mary’s-St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School
St. Mary's-St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School (SMSA) origins can be traced back to 1848, when St. Mary's Parish was established. In 1883, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet established St. Mary's Academy as part of St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls.
In 1932, the academy moved into a larger, Gothic-style building that still stands today on the church property at 10 Church Street, adjacent to the main church on Warren Street. The gorgeous building featured terrazzo floors, a two-story stained glass window depicting the history of Catholic education, and a Great Hall modeled after Westminster Hall.
Meanwhile, the St. Alphonsus School opened in Glens Falls in 1908. Many years later in 1991, the St. Alphonsus School merged with St. Mary’s Academy, forming St. Mary’s-St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School at the Warren Street location. Today, they provide a quality education in a faith-based environment for preschool through eighth grade.
Stay in Style at The Queensbury Hotel
The Queensbury Hotel has been a cornerstone of the Glens Falls community since it opened in May of 1926 at its Ridge Street location. Designed in Colonial Revival style, the five-story hotel featured over 200 rooms, mahogany interiors, and a grand lobby with terrazzo floors.
The hotel underwent many renovations and expansions of the years to meet the ever evolving needs of its guests: a 56-room annex was added in 1919, a cocktail lounge in 1934, new guest rooms in 1973, and an indoor pool, meeting facilities, and banquet halls were added in 1985. Fenimore's Pub opened in 1994.
Another restoration took place under the new owner Ed Moore in 2016. This undertaking thoughtfully preserved original elements of the hotel like the doors and floors, while adding contemporary furnishings and technology, like upgraded climate control systems. Park 26 opened in the space formerly occupied by Garden on the Park.
Notable celebrities and prominent figures have visited the hotel over the years, including Benny Goodman, Gus Lombardo, Louis Armstrong, Bob Dylan, and Robert F. Kennedy.
Which one of these unique historic places in Glens Falls will you visit next?
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