Don Rittner

Legendary Locals of Troy Don Rittner

Troy was created from land belonging to three Dutch men who were

descendants of Dirck Vanderheyden, Troy's first settler who began farming

here in 1707. After incorporating as a city in 1816, Troy began its rise to

become the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Utilizing

the forces of two powerful streams, the Wyantskill and Poestentkill, and

the mighty Hudson River, early industries sprang up in the southern and

northern parts of the city. With the advent of the Erie and Champlain

Canals, the city quickly became an industrial powerhouse, as ironworks

produced vast quantities of products needed locally and in the expanding

western part of country. With the invention of detachable collars and cuffs

in the 19th century, 90 percent of American men were wearing Troy-made

collars and cuffs. Troy rose to become known as "The Collar City." Trojans

have also made major contributions to a growing American republic in the

arts, entertainment, sciences, government, military, and industry through

the 21st century.