Cast Iron Leaves Lasting Impressions

by Don Rittner

I’m stuck on Troy’s architecture. I mean that literally! When I was a boy growing up in Troy, I often carried a magnet around with me as I explored the city streets. I would toss the magnet on certain buildings and it would stick to some of them. Often it stuck so hard it was difficult prying the magnet off. Understandably, the owners of these buildings didn’t appreciate it and chased me down the street. But it fascinated me and I often returned, much to their displeasure I’m sure. I remember saying to myself that someday I would know why my magnet stuck to those buildings.

Many years later, in 1977, I decided to get to the bottom of this and spent a year surveying the Capital District. I found more than 600 "magnetized" buildings. They’re known in the vernacular as cast iron store fronts and they do more than hold up a building’s front or facade. Some historians have given these iron artifacts credit for the development of commercial business centers in the second half of the 19th century. Others have given cast iron credit for the origin of tall buildings and skyscrapers. Both are correct.

Using cast iron for architectural purposes appeared early in the 19th century in England and America, but really caught on during the second half of the century. Some historians have even called the 19th century the "Age of Ferromania." It seems almost everything was made out of cast or wrought iron - even toothpicks (for wooden teeth?).

Cast iron is very strong under pressure. This made it possible to make slim columns that could hold up the weight of a building. It was useful not only for commercial buildings, but for factories as well since it allowed the creation of large open work spaces.

The iron was "cast" in molds so you could produce elaborate ornate designs with repeating patterns, often resembling more expensive fronts made from hand carved stone. However, unlike stone or wood, which reacted to the elements, or needed repainting often, one coat of paint on a cast iron store front would last a long time and looked ‘new’ for years. The iron was pretty resistent to corrosion once it was covered.

Cast iron was often less expensive to make since one wooden pattern (mold) could produce several castings. Erecting a cast iron store front or facade was quick, saving in labor costs, although it was quite an involved process. A whole facade might consist of several hundred individually cast pieces. The foundrymen would bolt together the entire facade on the foundry floor, ground pieces to fit, take it apart again, then escort it over to the waiting building and bolt it back up.

Most cast iron store fronts were only one story. A simple lintel and one or two posts would suffice for a small business. This allowed the first floor to have large spans of glass allowing natural light to enter the store (in contrast to dimly lit gas lighting). This encouraged the retailer to put new wares in the window for the shopper to see. Now you know how window shopping originated. Later, whole facades of cast iron became common place (New York City’s SOHO district is famous for them).

The cast iron period lasted for almost 100 years ending around World War II. Originally, Albany and Troy became famous for casting iron stoves, but several iron foundries in the area specialized in making cast iron store fronts: Michael Mahoney’s Troy architectural Iron Works (now Lusco’s Paper on 5th Ave.), Starbuck Brothers on Center Island (where the oil tanks are), Torrance Iron Foundry in Green Island, West Side Foundry in Watervliet, and James McKinney in Albany. All were known for quality foundry work. Foundries often placed a "maker’s mark" on the botton of one of the columns as self promotion and these can often be used to help date the building.

There are several reasons why Troy became successful in the iron industry. As they say in real estate, it’s location, location, location. Troy was at the center of the receiving end. It had easy access to all the natural resources that were reqired to do the job. Iron ores from the Adirondacks were shipped down the Champlain Canal to Waterford and West Troy (Watervliet). Charcoal for heating the furnaces came from the the charcoal maker, or collier, from the hill towns of Rensselaer County. Limestone for flux came from the Helderburg Mountains in Albany County. Excellent moulding sand, the main crucial ingredient for casting, came from Albany’s Pine Bush area and other parts of the Hudson Valley Sand belt. In fact, our moulding sand was the envy of every iron producing region in the country. Finished goods easily found their way west on the Erie Canal, or south to New York City and beyond.

There are many surviving examples of cast iron store fronts in Troy, some plain and utilitarian. A few are very ornate. There appears to be only one complete cast iron facade left. Can you find it?

Fortunately in downtown Troy many structures are in the process of being renovated, or have been. Many have restored the cast iron store fronts that were buried under the late 20th century "garbarge" facades that were piled over them. Not only do the buildings look great, but it also shows off the skill of our 19th and early 20th century ironworkers.

I know what you’re thinking. You can buy a magnet at a local Radio Shack. So, have fun exploring for cast iron store fronts, but if the owner chases you down the street, don’t tell him it was my idea.

©1999 Don Rittner