Discover Downtown Gloversville

Jennifer Donovan
4 minutes ago
2 min read

Presidents in the "Glove City": A Presidents Day Look Back

Happy Presidents Day, Gloversville! Today, we take a moment to look at the history of the United States through the lens of our own downtown streets. While Washington and Lincoln get the spotlight on the calendar, Gloversville has its own unique connection to the Oval Office.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Gloversville wasn't just a small town in Upstate New York—it was a global industrial powerhouse. Because of that prominence, we welcomed some of the most influential leaders in American history right here to the "Glove City."

The Roosevelt Connection: TR and His Gloversville Friend

Perhaps the most famous presidential tie to Gloversville is Theodore Roosevelt. Long before he was carved into Mount Rushmore, "Teddy" was a frequent visitor to our downtown.

Roosevelt’s connection was deeply personal. His lifelong best friend and Harvard classmate was Lucius N. Littauer, the Gloversville glove magnate and Congressman. Roosevelt famously referred to Littauer as his "most intimate personal friend" and "closest political advisor." You can read more about their historic friendship and political bond here.

Where he stayed: TR was a known guest at the Kingsborough Hotel on South Main Street.
The Legend: Local history tells of Roosevelt’s energetic presence in the city, often visiting to consult with Littauer on national policy while the smell of tanned leather filled the air outside.

FDR: The Goodwill Tour

Decades later, another Roosevelt made his mark on Gloversville. Franklin D. Roosevelt visited the city multiple times, particularly during his high-stakes gubernatorial campaigns in 1928 and 1930.

At the time, FDR was working to prove his physical fitness to the public. His "goodwill tours" through industrial hubs like Gloversville were essential.

Where he spoke: FDR is documented to have addressed crowds at Bleecker Street Square. Imagine the scene: hundreds of glove workers and their families gathered in the square to hear a future four-term president speak about the future of New York.

Presidential Neighbors

While they may not have walked our specific city blocks, other presidents were just a stone's throw away:

George Washington: In 1783, our nation’s first president toured the Mohawk Valley and stayed in neighboring Johnstown at Johnson Hall.
William McKinley: A frequent visitor to the Adirondacks, McKinley’s local ties were cut short by his assassination in Buffalo—the event that famously sent Theodore Roosevelt on his "midnight ride" through the nearby mountains to take the oath of office.

Walk the History

This Presidents Day, as you walk down Main Street, take a look at the historic architecture around you. From the site of the old Kingsborough Hotel to the open space of Bleecker Street Square, you are walking the same paths as the leaders who shaped the 20th century.

Gloversville has always been a city of makers, and for a few shining moments in history, it was the place where Presidents came to listen, to lead, and to visit old friends. To explore more of these landmarks yourself, check out the Downtown Gloversville History page or take a self-guided historic walk.

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Discover Downtown Gloversville