Hook and Ladder No. 4
Also known as: Truck No. 4
Why it's listed
Hook & Ladder No. 4, also called Truck 4, is a firehouse on Delaware Avenue at Marshall Street in Albany. Completed in 1912, it is a three-by-six-bay, two-and-one-half-story building of purplish-blue and red brick laid in Flemish bond, with round-arched paired windows and stepped parapet gables that recall the city's early Dutch architecture. Olive green terra-cotta ornament includes busts, shields, gargoyles and four beavers, the symbol of the city and state, perched on the gables. The city approved funds in 1909 for a truck house to serve the growing neighborhood at the top of the hill, and Marcus T. Reynolds was chosen as architect. Reynolds was a leading Albany architect of the early twentieth century and an admirer of the city's Dutch heritage. The building is valued as an exuberant, uncommon Dutch and Flemish Revival design and as a work of Reynolds. It remains an active firehouse, with a former horse stable converted to a lounge.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a rare early twentieth-century example of Dutch Revival institutional architecture in Albany, reflecting the city's fascination with its Dutch origins. It also gains significance from its association with Marcus Reynolds, described as the city's preeminent twentieth-century architect. Its terra-cotta ornament, including beavers, shields and busts, tells the story of the old city.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 01000247, listed March 12, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Delaware Ave., Albany |
|---|---|
| County | Albany County |
| Listed | March 12, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000247 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1909 |
| Architect / builder | Reynolds, Marcus T. |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals/Dutch Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a fire station; interior renovations were completed in 1991. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.64178, -73.77978 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 01000247.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5897933
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.