My Hometown: Amsterdam, N.Y.
By: Diane Tuman, Zillow Content Manager | July 6, 2006
Editor’s Note: This blog post is a kickoff to "My Hometown," a series of blog posts by Zillow employees who will reflect on the homes and towns where they grew up. Part historic musings and part therapy, we hope you enjoy it.
My hometown: Amsterdam, NY 12010
Approximate value in 1960: $40-55,000
Tax assessed value today: $80,000 (No Zestimate is available since county records are not sufficient for this area)
I grew up in in Amsterdam, a city in Upstate N.Y. which was a booming blue-collar town from the 1940s through the 60s. The economy thrived thanks to numerous factories and mills in the area, including GE, which was just 12 miles away in Schenectady, N.Y. My parents ran a tavern in Amsterdam with a prime location right across the street from Mohawk Carpets. This company proved to be the main lifeline for the city up until the 60s when it moved south for cheaper labor in South Carolina and Mississippi. Looking back, I can see that the exodus of the factories, one-by-one, delivered the critical blow to a city that was once 60,000 strong, but is now hovering around 17,000. This is just one town in upstate New York that is bleeding people due to economic downturns and high taxes.
The house I grew up in was a Cape Cod-style home with four bedrooms and one bathroom. Somehow we all managed, but these days, the thought of one bathroom for a family of six is nuts. My father helped another guy build the house in 1951 for a $20K. When I go back to visit my father several times a year, I always take a drive through the "grand" part of town where the Shuttleworths (Mohawk Carpets) and Stephen Sanford (Sanford Rug Mfg. — photo postcard above from Roots Web) owned huge mansions. Those homes could fetch about $400-500K these days, but if you were to magically drop one of those homes in Seattle, the price tag would skyrocket to about $4-6 million.
Real estate in Amsterdam has been stagnant since the 60s where homes for sale sit for months, if not years. It’s not that the homes aren’t good — they are. It’s just that the job situation is bleak. If you’ve ever seen the movie "Nobody’s Fool," or read Richard Russo’s book of the same name, that pretty much captures the essence of Amsterdam, a city along the Mohawk River that had a fabulous past, but not much of a future. When I asked my father what people now do for a living in Amsterdam, he said, "Pinch pennies."
One last note: Amsterdam has one major celebrity to call its own: Kirk Douglas, whose real name was Issur Danielovitch Demsky.
- Stumble it!
- Categories: Hometowns, Real Estate Industry, Zestimate, Zillow
Comments
21 Comments so far
Enjoy this post? Subscribe to the Zillow Blog feed or get updates via e-mail
Susan on July 6, 2006 3:37 pm
I enjoyed that a lot. Love the detail! A native of Olean, NY now living on Bainbridge Island, I still think about that little town in the snowbelt. Home values there aren’t as dramatic as they are here, that’s for sure.
Amsterdam on July 17, 2006 2:15 pm
Amsterdam
Trying to figure Catering for large or small groups.aMSTeRDaM Li F e S T y L e ToDaY aBouT LiNKS JouRNaL ulamirowska.co…
Tom T on January 2, 2008 6:47 am
We used to live in Amsterdam from 92-95, and I have some very fond memories of the people I met while living on Vrooman Ave. across from the old school. The older people had wonderful stories to tell, and they worked hard to maintain their lives, homes and memories, in a town past its hayday. It was so sad to see a town like Amsterdam struggle. Its history, its charm, and its beautiful location in the Mohawk valley will always stay with me. It was a wonderful time for us, our daughter was born there, at St Mary’s, in 94. We live in Huntsville Alabama now, but I will always remember fondly my stay in Amsterdam, NY.
Shawn K on February 27, 2008 7:52 am
Yes, you could buy those old mansions for 400-600K , but when I think about that - I think it would cost almost that much to heat those things. Amsterdam certainly has some very cool old houses though- upper Market st., Guy Park Ave., etc. I was born and raised in Amsterdam - now live near Saint Louis, MO. An item of note- my mother lived across the street from the Demskys, and my Grandfather’s Tavern (OShaughnessys) is mentioned in Kirk’s book “The Ragman’s Son”. The Demskys were so poor - Kirk’s sisters (Freda is the only name I remember) had to take showers at my mon’s house since I guess they had no running water.
Billl m on March 14, 2008 5:48 am
The problem as to why Amsteradm is just a place to sleep, falls on the many years of bad leadership.
1- The city Mayor’s and leadership are in office for to long.
yet nothing is done during such time.
2- how they get elected in it self is doughtful.
3- One Mayor served for 8 years, a mayor that had not even a High School Diploma, whom sold the mall, and aloud a $60,000 stainless steel monument to an ex-Mayor at the same sold mall.
4- $$$ Much money have been granted to the City only to disapear, donations were asked from the public to rebuild the mascot of Amsterdam which burned. That money also disapeared.
5- Property Taxes are extreamly high, on extreamly under acessed propertys.
Who would invest, too pay high taxes and sell at cheap price, where only the City profit from TAXES.
6- where the City has no engenier or knoeledgeable City public works supervisor whom is always short of monies. Wounder why ????
The area is beautiful, NYS Twy I90 runs down the middle of it exit 27, and also dose the Mohawk River, and MTrack train station.
To the North of it is the town that has left the City and has developped to having all the stores and malls.
To the South of it is the town of Florida, the Beverly Hills of Montgomery County. where Targett has its No. East Distribution Ware house., where thw States largest RV delar is at, where Beachnut is soon to build there baby food co.
where many a new homes are being build,
marty mezzio on July 8, 2008 11:30 pm
diane tuman???
my goodness,, glad to see you are alive and well,,
stan on March 1, 2009 3:05 pm
Dianne….where did you get the idea that Amsterdam had a population 70k at one time. Its highest peak was 36k
bob on March 12, 2009 11:31 pm
I live in Amsterdam and had a lot of fun growing up around the area. The only problem is Amsterdam or Amsterdump is a filthy place. Most of the neighborhoods are slums such as East Main and Five Corners. The place is infested with gangs and drugs… Thats why i love it i suppose.
lorraine on March 16, 2009 7:08 pm
I resided in Amsterdam. Not many jobs up there and not jobs that actually pay. It was wayy to cold for me and we relocated to Florida. However, homes that are for sale down here are way too pricey and I seen many down here that I wouldnt pay 1 penny for. The homes are either very pricey for a piece of junk and too small. For instance I bought a home here in Florida for 169,000.00 and I didnt check the neiborhood out too well. Well, I certainly didnt live there long I left and moved away from that area and needless to say there wasnt any yard space,and the house was a dump.For that amount that I spent on that crappy home I could have bought two nice homes in the country up in NY LOL
Steve on June 10, 2009 10:31 pm
I live in Nebraska and discovered Amsterdam while passing through on Amtrak. Last year my mother and I drove from Western Massachusetts to Amsterdam, which isn’t terribly far, to check it out. We found an old city situated on the Mohawk River which was scenic and quaint (in some areas). I actually thought about retiring here, but after reading some of the negative comments on this site, I’m not sure that this would be the thing to do. For one thing, the weather couldn’t be any worse than what we have in Nebraska!
Peter Yurkewicz on July 25, 2009 1:10 pm
Very nice to hear others still have fond memories of growingn up in one of the best towns and neighborhoods of the time. You may recall, I spent many a fine time at your parents bar and they were tops. Although getting married and moving to the Buffalo area 30 years ago it seems as if I just left yesterday. Regardless of exact facts on population etc. Amsterdam was one fine place to grow up in the 50; 60’s. Glad to hear you are well. never forget the good times of our youth.
Ann Firth Torgusen on July 27, 2009 5:48 am
I was born and raised Amsterdam but moved many times after getting married. My father and grandfather owned Firths Finer Foods on Locust Ave. and did very well when the mills were located in Amsterdam. I remember the Shuttleworths as being customers escpecially for meats etc. I used to love to go with my father to deliver their groceries just to see the beautiful house on Brookside Avenue.
I attended Mc Cleary School which was torn down (in fact I lived next door to it). The Rockton gang was a lot of fun and we had great times. I attneded my 50th class reunion last year and I was amazed to see what Rt 30 has to offer.
It is great to go back as I have fond memories of the good times. I live in Florida and love it. The winters in the north finally got to us. Keep up the great work on promoting all the good times in Amsterdam. Ann
Gail on August 5, 2009 10:45 am
I was born and raised in Amsterdam and have wonderful
memories of growing up there in the 60’s. My grandfather George Schuchardt was manager of the West End Brewing Company (Utica Club) that was down on Front Street. We lived up on Market hill and I attended Arnold Avenue School, Academy Street School, T. Roosevelt JH and of course Wilbur H. Lynch HS. Last year I researched my Family Tree and thoroughly got interested in Amsterdam and the surrounding area history. My Great Grandfather William Firth was a carpet weaver and he along with his family came to Amsterdam from England in 1904 to work in the carpet mills. I discovered ancestors from my father’s family who fought in the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War and were part of starting new settlements we now know as Nelliston, Stone Arabia and Herkimer.
But, Amsterdam was a great place to grow up back then. I loved hanging out downtown in the “pre-Mall” days and who could forget Sammy’s Ice Cream Parlor on Lincoln Ave, and penny candy from Mack’s store on Glen Ave.
Tuman’s was also a favorite lunch spot for my husband and I. I had a great job just outside of Amsterdam until I moved to Arizona 6 years ago, but I travel back quite often to visit family and friends.
Steve on August 14, 2009 3:40 am
My son just bought a two family house in a great part of the city for 106K. The house in unbelievable!
I can’t imagine buying a house like that in very many markets in the country.A lot of Amsterdam residents are snobs who constantly compare Amsterdam to Saratoga and Albany.Amsterdam has a large Hispanic population and the negative attitude about the city is rascist in nature.Amsterdam has a good school didtrict and low crime ( despite the myth that it is a high crime area )Once again, thats a bigoted myth.
sinai on November 1, 2009 11:50 pm
hi peolpe I am from amsterdam born and rasied. I am glad to say that finally i got to know the history of amsterdam “The rug city” and very proud that we have this history about Amsterdam, but we all know we have to fouces on how we teach the younger genteration about what Amsterdam was really about that is being a community. Not cause all the population is latino, its the story that needs to be toldto love this town. also there is nothing for the youth in this town. Amsterdam needs to preserve historical monuments so we can have trollys to travel tourist around Amsterdam to know the history and to make money to purchase and sale of goods in attempt to make profit.
Pat Ryan on December 1, 2009 6:30 pm
I grew up at the top of Locust Avenue. I am part of the Rocton section and pleased to remain part of.
My grandfather owned a Confectionary/coffee shop across the Street from Mohawk Carpet Mills that later became Coleco. The store was later run by two of his brothers.
My Grandmother cleaned for the Shuttleworths for years. I remember wonderful walks through Shuttleworth’s property from Brookside Ave.to Market St.. My grandmother on her way to work and I on the way to school. (wilbur H. Lynch)
I come through town every so often. More recently (last 3 to 5 years) I saw my grandfather’s shop was torn down. Real sad feeling. That store was a big part of my life.
Diane Tuman on December 1, 2009 6:40 pm
Hi Pat and everyone who chimed in here: There are some great photos on David Pietrusza’s web site: http://www.davidpietrusza.com/Amsterdam.html
AND, if you have a Facebook account, type “I Grew Up in Amsterdam, NY” to see all kinds of photos and former and present Amsterdam people weighing in.
Gary Stanklus on December 1, 2009 8:08 pm
Hello Diane, I feel blessed that I was born in Amsterdam and had such wonderfull hardworking parents. My home was at 42 Austin Street, yes Rockton area. My father grew tired as an insurance adjuster and went into his own business at the bottom of Clizbe. He ran it as Tony’s Flying A Service Station .Your father Bill was a good customer of ours and a great person to know . Rather quite and soft spoken and a real gentleman and a person I have always admired. Ask him if he remembers me (Gary) and my father Tony.
I moved away from Amsterdam in 1982 because of a new job opportunity away from GE. GE at that time was starting to downsize and I no longer felt career growth was readily available. So off to Indian and then Ohio.
One thing I want to say, I have had the opportunity to do a lot of traveling, but I say with all my heart and feeling Amsterdam and the area is a beatiful place to live and enjoy. The Mohawk Valley and Sacandaga region are one of the most beautiful places in this great country of ours. If one wants to look at the dark side and be negative about Amsterdam then all I can say is I am sorry for you what you are missing.
Yes Amsterdam has changed, but so hasn’t Thousands of other cities has suffered as well. Those commumities who has been successful in some form of recovery have people who have positive visions of what the future should be for their community. I call them Visionaries.
I wish you and all my friends in the area the very best of health and well wishes to all.
Best regards,
Gary Stanklus
Lima, Ohio
Tony Centi on December 2, 2009 10:46 am
Diane nice story and I hate it when people talk bad about my Amsterdam, as you know I am still here trying to grind out a living (Crystal Bar) also lived in rockton next to Morrows Florist on Locust Ave untill we moved to Market Hill. The thing about Amsterdam is no unity, leadership is always a tough job, but here it seems that everybody wants credit for things done and nothing gets done.I love it here crime is low, you go to the store and know everbody,the change of seasons, and the homes, you know who lives there now, before them, and yes even before them, yes yesteryear brings great memmories, but it is the present, and I would like to leave my children fond memories like mine. We are on the rebound and the future looks bright all who have left keep us in your prayers. thanks Tony
bill strack on December 3, 2009 8:38 am
i moved from amst. in 1979 with GTE in johnstown. ended up in lexington, ky, chapel hill, nc and back to lex. now live in louisville. i go back every year as my wife, kay bellinger still has a sister and mother there. i won’t argue about the state of the city now, but i can say that there are more houses with demolish signs than for sale signs. i share the same fond memories as the rest. used to walk from the east end park to union street after babe ruth league games. wouldn’t do that now. i also will not comment on the latino population but suffice to say who knows how many are illegal and taking form the city something that is not thiers. yes there are great places to live and there is always the muni golf course and like others i have often had a twinkling about moving back, but that feeling goes away every time i go back. there are still great people there-tony centi included and i do miss the place as everything noted about the beauty in the area is true. i will always be a new yorker from amster. and would have stayed if it had not changed. bill
cathy blatchford semczuk on January 17, 2010 7:18 am
hi diane,
I grew up in Amsterdam in the sixties, and my family owned a confectionery store on Guy Park when I was a girl. My grandparents were the Pattersons and we lived next to Betz Funeral Home. Growing up we had so many adventures and places to go (Coessens Park, Veteran’s Field, the numerous movie theaters, block dances, and just a warm feeling of being safe. Who can forget the beautiful downtown, the parades, and everyone knew everyone. I still feel the same about Amsterdam, and try not to focus on the negative, as there are negatives to every town. Its still a great place to live, and it is making a comeback.
cathy