Elsmere, New York
Elsmere is a hamlet of the town of the Bethlehem in Albany County, New York, United States. The hamlet is a suburb of the neighboring city of Albany. From the northeast to the southwest, it is bisected by New York Route 443, which is also the hamlet's main street and a major commuter route into Albany. Delaware Avenue is also home to most of the office and retail locations in Elsmere, including the largest such location: Delaware Plaza.
Elsmere does not have its own Post Office nor Zip Code, instead sharing with neighboring hamlet of Delmar. All locations in Elsmere use Delmar 12054 as the official address city and Zip Code.
History
Elsmere is situated along Delaware Avenue, formerly known as Delaware Turnpike. Suburban residential growth began to displace the rural farmland starting in 1928 when the Delaware Avenue Bridge opened across the Normans Kill; the bridge connected Elsmere directly to Albany. Prior to this, commuters to Albany used narrow, winding roads through Normansville and a smaller lower bridge. The original center of the hamlet was the intersection of Elsmere Avenue and Delaware Avenue. By 1993, Delaware Avenue from the bridge over the Normans Kill to the abandoned railroad bridge marking Elsmere's unofficial border with Delmar had become heavily commercialized. Many of the businesses along Delaware Avenue occupied houses that had been converted to commercial use. Delaware Plaza, built in 1955, is the unofficial "center" of the hamlet of Elsmere.Education
Elsmere is located with the Bethlehem Central School District, which consistently receives local and national recognition for excellence. Elsmere Elementary is located within the hamlet on Delaware Ave just East of Elsmere Ave. Transportation is provided by the Bethlehem Central School District Student Transportation Department. BCSD students residing in Elsmere attend the following schools:- Elsmere Elementary : K-5
- Bethlehem Central Middle School : 6-8
- Bethlehem Central High School : 9-12
Elsmere is served by the Bethlehem Public Library located in Delmar.
Emergency Services
Law Enforcement
Elsmere is served by the Town of Bethlehem Police Department.Additional LE services are provided by Albany County Sheriff Office, New York State Police Troop G, and the FBI - Albany Office.
Ambulance
Elsmere is served by Delmar-Bethlehem EMS, in cooperation with Albany County Sheriff Office EMS Unit.Fire Department
Elsmere is served by the Elsmere Fire District and Elsmere Fire Company A, Inc. The Fire District/Fire Company relationship is a joint and mutual effort toward a common goal: the protection of life and property.Elsmere Fire District
Municipal Organization organized in 1928 for the purpose of providing the community fire protection, saving lives & property, suppress & control fires, fire prevention & education, support EMS activities, hazardous materials response, public assistance, and a safe working environment for Elsmere Fire Company A, Inc. EFD is responsible for the administration of taxpayer’s funds for fire suppression and prevention programs.The Elsmere Fire District has two stations:Headquarters: Located at 15 West Poplar Drive, Delmar, NY 12054South Station: Located at 578 Feura Bush Rd, Glenmont, NY 12077
Elsmere Fire Company A, Inc
Formed in June 1922, EFC is the volunteer-based fire fighting force of the Elsmere Fire District. Membership includes 80 firefighters and social memberships numbering well over 200. EFC is a fraternal organization appointed by the Fire District to physically carry out the goals of the EFD.EFC has a NYSFD drill team known as the Elsmere Wanderers, composed of active members of the Elsmere Fire Company, that competes in firematic competitions throughout the state. Events include both motorized and foot races, which utilize many aspects of everyday firefighting skills.
Transportation
Roads
Interstate Highways
Interstate 87: Part of the New York State Thruway, I-87 passes through the hamlet Northeast corner between the US-9W/ NY-32 overpass and the Town of Bethlehem- City of Albany border at Normans Kill. The nearest Thruway access is at Exit 23 in the City of Albany just North of Normans Kill.Federal Routes
US Route 9W: The hamlet eastern border runs along US Route 9W between The Town of Bethlehem- City of Albany border at Normans Kill to Beacon Rd.State Routes
NY Route 32: Known as Delmar Bypass, From interchange with US-9W at Eastern limits to the Western limits with Delmar hamlet about halfway between NY-335 and Murray Ave.NY Route 335: Known as Elsmere Ave, run from intersection with Delaware Ave at Northern Terminus to Feura Bush Rd at Southern Terminus.NY Route 443: Known as Delaware Ave, this is considered Bethlehem's "Main St", running between the Town of Bethlehem - City of Albany border at the bridge over Normans Kill in the Normansville Neighborhood to the former D&H Railroad overpass that now carries the Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail forming border with the hamlet of Delmar. NY Route 910A: Known as Feura Bush Rd, an unsigned NYS Reference Route and former alignment of NY-32, runs from Dowers Kill to the West to the traffic circle intersection with US-9W in Bethlehem Center to the East.County Routes
- There are no Albany County routes located within the hamlet.