Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Site

Location

1889 Main St, Delanson, NY 12053, USA

Lat/Long

42.743372861183, -74.187699369288

Grant Recipient

Duanesburg Historical Society

Delanson, a village in the southeastern portion of Duanesburg, owes its origins to the expansion of the railroad in the late 19th century. Situated at the junction of the Schenectady and Duanesburg Railroad and the Susquehanna Division of the Delaware and Hudson (D&H) Railroad, the area quickly became a hub for railroad workers. As the workforce grew, houses and businesses began to emerge, transforming what was once a simple railway stop into a small but growing unincorporated community. Initially known as Quaker Street Depot, the village was shaped by transient laborers whose movements followed the railroad, leaving behind limited records from its early years.

By 1892, the community had developed a strong enough identity that its residents sought to rename it, shifting beyond its roots as merely a railroad stop. Inspired by the D&H Railroad, which was central to their livelihoods, they created the name Delanson by combining elements from “Delaware” (Del), “and” (an), and “Hudson” (son). This renaming marked a turning point, symbolizing the village’s aspirations for a future beyond its initial role as a railway junction while still honoring the industry that had made its growth possible.

An article about the unique way the community established its name was reported in the Boston Evening Transcript on Thursday, Dec. 22 in 1892. “The residence of Quaker Street Depot Village, N.Y. are pleased because its name has been changed to Delanson, a compound of Delaware and Hudson. Society of Friendship Street Depot Village would not have satisfied them.”

Nearly three decades later the village would be incorporated in 1921.