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.