The long and intricate history of the town of Bethlehem is described through pictures and detailed descriptions in a new book put together by the town’s historian.
“Bethlehem,” the newest book in the “Images of America” series by Arcadia Publishing, takes a closer look at the history of a town that began to thrive in the 19th and 20th centuries.
One of the biggest challenges for Historian Susan Leath was finding a way to encompass a number of communities that make up the town.
“Historically, people have thought of themselves as from Delmar or Selkirk or South Bethlehem,” Leath said. “But, in the end, they are all from Bethlehem.”
The book is broken down into nine chapters, each detailing one of the communities within Bethlehem. The first chapter, as an example, details the northern parts of Bethlehem, and how areas were incorporated into neighboring Guilderland and Albany.
Leath wanted to give a true representation of the entire town. She detailed the importance of agriculture in Bethlehem’s past, and how rural the town was dating back as recently as the 1900s. There’s also an emphasis in the book on how important of a role the Hudson River has played in the town’s past prosperity.
“Also around the late 1800s and 1900, wealthy people from Albany would build their summer homes along the river in Bethlehem,” said Leath, who said that many to this day remain under private ownership. “A lot of people aren’t aware they are here.”
While the quiet and humble beginnings of the town are detailed in areas like Glenmont, the book also shows the beginnings of the hamlet of Delmar, and its growth into a bustling commercial area. In one image from 1910, a quiet suburban view is shown along Delaware Avenue, with trees lining an empty residential street looking west from Grove Street. That’s compared to a picture on the next page of the Four Corners intersection in 1957, with cars traveling in both directions on both Kenwood and Delaware Avenues.
“I want people to gain an appreciation for the history of the town,” said Leath. “In my introduction, I use the metaphor of weaving it all together.”
Miles away and chapters later, Leath takes a closer look at the history of Selkirk, and the roots of the establishment of rail service through the area. The construction of the roundhouse at the Selkirk Railroad Yards is clear in one photo. Its roots are attached to a $25 million project designed to make the area a point of relief for congestion at rail yards in Albany.
The book also includes images of passenger rails that traveled through Selkirk until 1959, traveling past a small train station that underwent little change through the first half of the 20th century.
Leath admits that there are some who may not want to know anything about the town’s history, but said that the history buffs are out there.
“It’s very individual,” said Leath. “People have always been interested in the history of their particular house, or neighborhood, or town. There’s been tremendous support. I think it’s holding pretty steady,” referring to the inquiries she has had about Bethlehem’s history in her position at Town Hall. “The history buffs are definitely out there.”
“Bethlehem” will be released Nov. 14, and can be found at local retail stores. The book will also be on sale in the town clerk’s office. Leath plans to be at the Delmar Farmers Market selling books in November, as well.