Intersection of State St. and Broadway looking north on Broadway- circa 1880.
The building at the intersection had many lives, including “The Museum” with exhibits,
theatrical amusements, concerts and lectures for several decades. It also housed the
Marble Pillar Restaurant and Western Union.
In the early 1900s it was replaced by the Albany Trust Company building (still there)
designed by architect Marcus Reynolds.
If you look down Broadway on the left the tall building with the peeked roof housed
the 4th telephone exchange in the world in 1878. The exchange opened with about
75 subscribers. In less than a year there about 350 customers.