Kim D. Tschudy - Green County

Here is the Albany Linen Factory. In 1892, Andrew Fleming purchased the old woolen mill and, along with his sister, converted the operation to a linen mill that produced linen toweling. Initially some of the raw material came from England but was later produced locally. The mill ceased operations in 1907. (Albany Historical Society.)

Shown in the middle of this photograph is a small cabin that was built on a small island just upriver from the dam that created Lake Winnetka. Local historians say that this island broke loose from an upper portion of Lake Winnetka during a bad storm, floated downriver, and lodged in this spot. The path leading from the lakeshore directly behind the cabin leads to the Whitcomb home, which in later years became the Whitcomb Sanitarium. That building still stands and recently underwent a major renovation. (Albany Historical Society.)

This dam is one of many on the Sugar River that were built to provide the needed power for both gristmills and sawmills as well as turbines that generated early electric power for many of the towns that lined the banks of the Sugar River. At one time, this dam supported five different waterwheels, which in turn provided waterpower for nearby factories. (Albany Historical Society.)

Building a dam is a backbreaking job. Imagine all the hours and manpower consumed to build a dam of the size that was needed to safely hold back the waters of the Sugar River. The necessary concrete for the construction was all hand-mixed on the building site. (Albany Historical Society.)

During the building of the dam, many different pieces of equipment were required. The pieces of equipment shown here were hand-built to fit the specific requirements of this project. Notice the rather official-looking hat the man in the center is wearing. (Albany Historical Society.)

Here is the Albany Woolen Mills and Manufacturing Company. This building was located on the west side of the river that divides Albany, one of two woolen mills located on the Sugar River. Many woolen mills operated on a barter system, which allowed sheep farmers to trade in a certain number of pounds of grease wool (freshly sheared and unwashed) for the blankets and woolen socks they needed. (Albany Historical Society.)

Built in 1891, this building housed the John Whalen Grocery and Furnishings store as well as the Albany Vindicator , a pro-temperance newspaper. The second story of this building housed Dr. Osborne, who in addition to his office also had his living quarters here. There was also a dental parlor in the front of the building and the Masonic Hall. Today the building serves as an apartment building. (Albany Historical Society.)

The Barton and Jacobson Livery, Feed and Sales Stable was located on Water Street just south of the bridge spanning the Sugar River. Businesses such as this one were a very necessary part of the local economy that provided transportation services to traveling salesmen who arrived and departed by train and needed a method of moving their sales trunks from store to store in the area. (Albany Historical Society.)