Genesee and Water Street Railroad

Genesee and Water Street Railroad
Locale Syracuse, New York
Dates of operation 1865–1890
Successor Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Headquarters Syracuse, New York

The Genesee and Water Street Railroad, a horse-drawn[1] street trolley in Syracuse, New York, was established in 1865.[2] The company was one of three different railways that were awarded operation franchise rights to run cars in James Street. The firm also secured the franchise to operate cars in Westcott Street, to South Beech Street, Euclid Avenue, College Place, University Place, Walnut Avenue and Madison Street.[3]

The road merged with Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway in 1890, after an agreement was made that allowed the new company to lease the lines.[4]

History

The Genesee and Water Street Railroad was organized in September 1865, with $60,000 in capital[1] by George E. Comstock, W. H. H. Smith, C. T. Longstreet, O. T. Burt and James P. Haskins.[5]

The road was chartered on October 13, 1865, and was completed in 1866. It ultimately comprised the Fourth Ward Railroad and the Chestnut Street (now Crouse Avenue) branch, extending to the north boundary line of the campus of Syracuse University.[5]

By 1875, the line commenced on the corner of South Salina Street and ran through Hanover Square and followed East Genesee Street through Beech to East Water Street. It also ran up James Street to Burnet Avenue, and from there ran through Catherine, Green, Lodi and Butternut Street and from Chestnut Street (now Crouse Avenue) to University.[6] The business office was located at 2 Onondaga Country Savings Bank Building.[2]

Operations

In 1879, the company offices were located at No. 1 Onondaga County Savings Bank Building.[7]

During 1890, the company employed both 47 pound rail and had 12 rail cars and 60 horses.[1] They also owned three snow plows.[8]

Company management

Officers of the company in 1875 included Robert G. Wynkoop, president; William H. H. Smith, vice-president; George J. Gardner, secretary and treasurer; and William Hart, superintendent. The executive committee included D. P. Wood, R. G. Wynkoop, J. D. Bridges and W. K. Rose.[6]

During 1890, F. S. Wicks was president; D. P. Wood was vice-president; George J. Gardner was secretary and treasurer; and W. J. Hart was superintendent.[1]

Financial

At the time of establishment, the rail had funded debt at 6 percent and capital of $60,000.[8]

Syracuse consolidated lease agreement

The Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway was chartered in 1890 in Syracuse and on July 1, 1890, the new company leased, in perpetuity, several street railroads in the city including the Genesee and Water Street Railroad as well as the Third Ward Railway, Fourth Ward Railroad, Fifth Ward Railroad, Seventh Ward Railroad, Eleventh Ward Railroad, Syracuse and Geddes Railway, Woodlawn and Butternut Street Railway and New Brighton and Onondaga Valley Railroad. The rail ran a total distance of 24 miles (39 km) and had branches every 3 miles (4.8 km).[9] At that time, the Genesee and Water Street Railroad ceased to exist.[4]

Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway filed for bankruptcy in 1893 and merged with the Syracuse Rapid Transit Railway Company in May 1896.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Whipple, Fred H. Whipple's Electric, Gas and Street Railway Financial Reference Directory. Electronic Library, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  2. 1 2 "First Streetcars Operated Here in 1860". Syracuse Herald (Syracuse, New York). December 14, 1922.
  3. ↑ "Study for Bus Franchise Recalls Early Trolley Lines". Syracuse Herald-Journal (Syracuse, New York). May 23, 1940.
  4. 1 2 Dwight Hall Bruce. Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y., from its settlement to the present time. Electronic Library, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : pictorial and biographical". Electronic Library, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  6. 1 2 Boyd's Syracuse Boyd's City Directory 1875. Andrew Boyd, 1875.
  7. ↑ Boyd's Syracuse Boyd's City Directory 1879. Andrew Boyd, 1879.
  8. 1 2 Manual of the railroads of the United States, Volume 27. Henry Varnum Poor, 1894, pg.1061-1062. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  9. ↑ Poor, Henry Varnum. Manual of the railroads of the United States, Volume 27. Poors, 1889 p. 85; 317. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  10. ↑ American street railway investments. The Street Railway Publishing Company, 1899 p. 262. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
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