Fifth Ward Railroad

Fifth Ward Railroad
Locale Syracuse, New York, United States
Dates of operation 1867–1890
Successor Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Headquarters Syracuse, New York

The Fifth Ward Railroad was a horse-drawn street trolley line in Syracuse, New York,[1] and was originally approved for construction by New York State in 1850; however, the rail was not chartered until 1867 and finally opened for business in 1868.[2] The company merged with Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway in 1890, after an agreement was made that allowed the new company to lease the lines.[3]

The city railway extended from Railroad Street through Clinton, Walton, West, Gifford, Geddes and returning in a loop through Delaware, Holland and Niagara to Gifford Street, a total distance of 3.48 miles (5.60 km) in the city's Near Westside.[3] By 1875, the road extended from Washington Street to South Street and Geddes Street.[4]

History

The Fifth Ward Railroad was approved on April 2, 1850, by a formal commission and at that time was authorized to construct and build a railroad, to be operated with horse power, "in and along" Clinton, Walton, West, Gifford, Shonnard, Russell, Holland, Delaware and West Onondaga Streets to South Street.[2] It was not until several years later in 1867, that the company was formally organized with a capital stock of $50,000. The road opened for business in 1868.[3]

The original law stated that the track of the road must be "laid flush with the surface of the street, and should confirm to the grade and the company shall keep the surface of the street, inside the rails of said track and for 1 foot (0.30 m) outside, in good and proper order and repair.[2]

Company management

At the time the road opened for business in 1868, the company officers were Dudley P. Phelps, president; Lester J. Greenwood, secretary and treasurer; and David Field, superintendent.[3]

Officers of the company in 1875 included; P. H. Brayton, president; O. C. Potter, vice-president; T. B. Fitch, secretary and treasurer; and H. J. Howd, superintendent.[4] By 1879, Hugh Purnell was superintendent and secretary and treasurer was John D. Gray.[5]

During 1886, the officers were P. H. Brayton, president; O. C. Potter, secretary and treasurer; and Hugh Purnell, superintendent.[3]

When the company merged with the Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway in 1890, the last officers of the road included H. S. White, president; S. B. Merrill, secretary and treasurer; and Hugh Purnell, superintendent. These officers as well as W. C. Brayton, H. K. White, Clarence Tucker and E. W. Marsh constituted the board of directors.[3]

Operations

By 1890, the company employed both 35 and 56 pound rail and had 12 rail cars and 56 horses.[6]

Syracuse consolidated lease agreement

The Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway was chartered in 1890 in Syracuse and by July 1, 1890, the new company leased, in perpetuity, several street railroads in the city including the Fifth Ward Railroad as well as the Third Ward Railway, Fourth Ward Railroad, Seventh Ward Railroad, Eleventh Ward Railroad, Genesee and Water Street Railroad, Woodlawn and Butternut Street Railway, Syracuse and Geddes Railway and New Brighton and Onondaga Railroad. The rail ran a total distance of 24 miles (39 km) and had branches every 3 miles (4.8 km).[7] At that time, the Fifth Ward Railroad ceased to exist.[3]

Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway filed for bankruptcy in 1893 and merged with the Syracuse Rapid Transit Railway Company in May 1896.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "First Streetcars Operated Here in 1860". Syracuse Herald. Syracuse, New York. December 14, 1922.
  2. 1 2 3 Laws of the State of New York, Volume 1. New York State, 1868 p. 262. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bruce, Dwight Hall. Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y., from its settlement to the present time. Electronic Library, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  4. 1 2 Boyd's Syracuse Boyd's City Directory 1875. Andrew Boyd, 1875.
  5. ↑ Boyd's Syracuse Boyd's City Directory 1879. Andrew Boyd, 1879.
  6. ↑ Whipple, Fred H. Whipple's Electric, Gas and Street Railway Financial Reference Directory. Electronic Library, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  7. ↑ Poor, Henry Varnum. Manual of the railroads of the United States, Volume 27. Poors, 1889 p. 85; 317. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  8. ↑ American street railway investments. The Street Railway Publishing Company, 1899 p. 262. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
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