Troy was a vibrant and economically powerful city on the Hudson River during the first half of the 20th century. At night, the city would glow from the heat of the many iron foundries that were located in the south end. These factories employed thousands of Trojans who worked to make everything from cast-iron stoves to bells. The early 1900s were a time of greatness and prosperity for Troy's people and its products. With the growing population, an abundance of stores and retail establishments opened to supply residents with the items that were not being produced locally. The local economy enjoyed an unprecedented growth as a result.