Syracuse and Suburban Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Syracuse and Suburban Railroad, an interurban
rail in Syracuse, New York
, was chartered on June 29, 1895. The main line of this electric road, also known as the Syracuse and Suburban Electric Railroad and the Syracuse and Eastern Railroad, ran 15 miles (24.1 km), over the beds of city streets, extending from Syracuse
to Fayetteville
and Manlius
where it ended at Edwards Falls, a local tourist attraction. The railroad also operated a line that ran from Orville, now known as DeWitt to Jamesville
, for a total distance of 18.08 miles (29.1 km).
to Manlius
via Fayetteville
over the beds of city streets, Route 5 and Route 257. The railroad occupied the streets by franchise from the city of Syracuse
and Villages of Fayetteville
and Manlius
. Additionally, routes 5 and 257 were occupied by agreement with the toll road companies.
On June 15, 1898, the first 10 miles (16.1 km) of road were placed in operation, and the entire road was completed by late that year.
Unlike other interurban trolley companies, the road used smaller, lighter trolleys that were closer in size to the city streetcars. The line ran on one side of East Genesee Street to Fayetteville
, then southwest to the village of Manlius
where the tracks continued through the village and passed St. John's Military Academy which was later known as Manlius Military and Manlius-Pebble Hill Schools. The next stop was Suburban Park, the trolley company owned amusement park that remained in business until 1973.
At the end of June 1902, the railroad had carried 1,433,475 passengers that year and by 1905, that number had increased to 1,768,995.
In June 1917, operating revenues for the year amounted to $151,167 and operating expenses were $98,168. Net corporate income for the year was $5,930.
in the village of Edwards Falls for generating electricity to operate its road. By 1978, the foundations of the power plant and car barn complex were still visible.
Rolling stock in 1906 consisted of 15 motor cars, one snow plow, one other car and the equipment owned included General Electric dynamos and motors, Jackson & Sharp cars, 700 H. P. station plant, water power and a complete steam auxiliary plant of 650 H. P. engines and 500 E. W. General Electric generator.
with final destination a picnic ground at Fidler's Green.
.
and Edwards Falls, a tourist attaction near Manlius
called Suburban Park remained in business until 1973.
During June 1906, directors of the company were E. F. Allen, G. H. Stillwell, H. W. Plumb, George C. Cotton, John L. King, Charles E. Hubbell and H. A. Schenchk, all of Syracuse, New York
, Edward Powell and John G. Powell, both of Philadelphia and Calvin McCarthy and Albert Spencer of Jamesville, New York
.
Company officers were president, John L. King, vice-president and general manager / purchasing agent, Charles E. Hubbell, secretary and treasurer, Giles H. Stillwell, superintendent, Henry Thompson and master mechanic, C. J. Sullivan. The general office was located in Syracuse, New York
and the Power Station and Repair Shops were located in Edwards Falls.
By 1908, the company headquarters were located on East Fayette Street at the corner of Montgomery Street. Charles E. Hubbell was president and general manager. Chester H. King was vice-president and Giles H. Stilwell was treasurer.
, as determined by the New York State Tax Commission, was $125,000, down from $145,250 in 1919.
In March 1921, three commissioners were appointed to determine whether the railroad ought to be constructed and operated in Pine Street between East Genesee Street and East Fayette Street.
and Fayetteville
and Manlius
, suspended operation at 1 am because of lack of operating revenue. C. Loomis Allen, general manager, declared that unless there were changed conditions the road would not resume and that readjustment of fares and wages of employees must be effected. That same day, a motor bus service was started pending formal grant of franchises for motor lines between the two villages and the city of Syracuse
. The Chenango branch of the New York Central Railroad
also stepped in to accommodate many passengers who had relied on the electric service.
branch had almost eliminated any traces of the former railroad.
Interurban
An interurban, also called a radial railway in parts of Canada, is a type of electric passenger railroad; in short a hybrid between tram and train. Interurbans enjoyed widespread popularity in the first three decades of the twentieth century in North America. Until the early 1920s, most roads were...
rail in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, was chartered on June 29, 1895. The main line of this electric road, also known as the Syracuse and Suburban Electric Railroad and the Syracuse and Eastern Railroad, ran 15 miles (24.1 km), over the beds of city streets, extending from Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
to Fayetteville
Fayetteville, New York
Fayetteville is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the village had a population of 4,190. The village is named after Lafayette, a national hero of both France and the United States...
and Manlius
Manlius (village), New York
Manlius is a village in Onondaga County, New York, USA. The population was 4,819 at the 2000 census. The village takes its name from its town.The Village of Manlius is near the south town line of the Town of Manlius and is southeast of the City of Syracuse of which it is a suburb.An area of about...
where it ended at Edwards Falls, a local tourist attraction. The railroad also operated a line that ran from Orville, now known as DeWitt to Jamesville
Jamesville, New York
Jamesville is a hamlet in De Witt, Onondaga County, New York, United States, part of the greater Syracuse area.The history of the community is documented in the book Water, Wheels and Stone: Heritage of the Little Village by the Creek, Jamesville, New York, written by Jean Schutz Keough, and...
, for a total distance of 18.08 miles (29.1 km).
History
The Syracuse and Suburban Railroad ran from Downtown SyracuseDowntown Syracuse
Downtown Syracuse is the economic center of Syracuse, New York, and Central New York, employing over 30,000 people, and housing over 2,000. It is also one of the 26 officially recognized neighborhoods of Syracuse.- History :...
to Manlius
Manlius (village), New York
Manlius is a village in Onondaga County, New York, USA. The population was 4,819 at the 2000 census. The village takes its name from its town.The Village of Manlius is near the south town line of the Town of Manlius and is southeast of the City of Syracuse of which it is a suburb.An area of about...
via Fayetteville
Fayetteville, New York
Fayetteville is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the village had a population of 4,190. The village is named after Lafayette, a national hero of both France and the United States...
over the beds of city streets, Route 5 and Route 257. The railroad occupied the streets by franchise from the city of Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and Villages of Fayetteville
Fayetteville, New York
Fayetteville is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the village had a population of 4,190. The village is named after Lafayette, a national hero of both France and the United States...
and Manlius
Manlius (village), New York
Manlius is a village in Onondaga County, New York, USA. The population was 4,819 at the 2000 census. The village takes its name from its town.The Village of Manlius is near the south town line of the Town of Manlius and is southeast of the City of Syracuse of which it is a suburb.An area of about...
. Additionally, routes 5 and 257 were occupied by agreement with the toll road companies.
On June 15, 1898, the first 10 miles (16.1 km) of road were placed in operation, and the entire road was completed by late that year.
Unlike other interurban trolley companies, the road used smaller, lighter trolleys that were closer in size to the city streetcars. The line ran on one side of East Genesee Street to Fayetteville
Fayetteville, New York
Fayetteville is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the village had a population of 4,190. The village is named after Lafayette, a national hero of both France and the United States...
, then southwest to the village of Manlius
Manlius (village), New York
Manlius is a village in Onondaga County, New York, USA. The population was 4,819 at the 2000 census. The village takes its name from its town.The Village of Manlius is near the south town line of the Town of Manlius and is southeast of the City of Syracuse of which it is a suburb.An area of about...
where the tracks continued through the village and passed St. John's Military Academy which was later known as Manlius Military and Manlius-Pebble Hill Schools. The next stop was Suburban Park, the trolley company owned amusement park that remained in business until 1973.
At the end of June 1902, the railroad had carried 1,433,475 passengers that year and by 1905, that number had increased to 1,768,995.
Financial
During 1898, cost of road was $636,619 and capital stock outstanding was $400,000. By June 1905, total earnings were $86,473 and cost of road and equipment was $1,768,995 that year.In June 1917, operating revenues for the year amounted to $151,167 and operating expenses were $98,168. Net corporate income for the year was $5,930.
Operations
In 1898, the Syracuse and Eastern Railroad had its own water power plant that harnessed the flows over Edwards Falls adjacent to the amusement park located near ManliusManlius (village), New York
Manlius is a village in Onondaga County, New York, USA. The population was 4,819 at the 2000 census. The village takes its name from its town.The Village of Manlius is near the south town line of the Town of Manlius and is southeast of the City of Syracuse of which it is a suburb.An area of about...
in the village of Edwards Falls for generating electricity to operate its road. By 1978, the foundations of the power plant and car barn complex were still visible.
Rolling stock in 1906 consisted of 15 motor cars, one snow plow, one other car and the equipment owned included General Electric dynamos and motors, Jackson & Sharp cars, 700 H. P. station plant, water power and a complete steam auxiliary plant of 650 H. P. engines and 500 E. W. General Electric generator.
Vacation excursions
A more "scenic spur" was added later to the Syracuse and Eastern Railroad with a connection at DeWitt that ran to JamesvilleJamesville, New York
Jamesville is a hamlet in De Witt, Onondaga County, New York, United States, part of the greater Syracuse area.The history of the community is documented in the book Water, Wheels and Stone: Heritage of the Little Village by the Creek, Jamesville, New York, written by Jean Schutz Keough, and...
with final destination a picnic ground at Fidler's Green.
Penitentiary trolley
The company owned the country's only penitentiary trolley, "which picked up its unwilling passengers at a siding next to the county courthouse and delivered them to the front door of the county penitentiary in JamesvilleJamesville, New York
Jamesville is a hamlet in De Witt, Onondaga County, New York, United States, part of the greater Syracuse area.The history of the community is documented in the book Water, Wheels and Stone: Heritage of the Little Village by the Creek, Jamesville, New York, written by Jean Schutz Keough, and...
.
Amusement parks
By 1906, the company also owned amusement parks at JamesvilleJamesville, New York
Jamesville is a hamlet in De Witt, Onondaga County, New York, United States, part of the greater Syracuse area.The history of the community is documented in the book Water, Wheels and Stone: Heritage of the Little Village by the Creek, Jamesville, New York, written by Jean Schutz Keough, and...
and Edwards Falls, a tourist attaction near Manlius
Manlius (village), New York
Manlius is a village in Onondaga County, New York, USA. The population was 4,819 at the 2000 census. The village takes its name from its town.The Village of Manlius is near the south town line of the Town of Manlius and is southeast of the City of Syracuse of which it is a suburb.An area of about...
called Suburban Park remained in business until 1973.
Company management
In 1898, company officers were president, Arthur Jenkins; vice-president, Thomas Hogan; secretary and treasurer, Giles H. Stillwell; and general manager, Charles E. Hubbell. Directors of the company were A. Cady Palmer, Arthur Jenkins, Giles H. Stillwell, Daniel W. Gridley, Frank W. Gridley, John F. Gaynor, Edward Joy, Thomas Hogan, David K. McCarthy, John L. King and Charles E. Hubbell.During June 1906, directors of the company were E. F. Allen, G. H. Stillwell, H. W. Plumb, George C. Cotton, John L. King, Charles E. Hubbell and H. A. Schenchk, all of Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, Edward Powell and John G. Powell, both of Philadelphia and Calvin McCarthy and Albert Spencer of Jamesville, New York
Jamesville, New York
Jamesville is a hamlet in De Witt, Onondaga County, New York, United States, part of the greater Syracuse area.The history of the community is documented in the book Water, Wheels and Stone: Heritage of the Little Village by the Creek, Jamesville, New York, written by Jean Schutz Keough, and...
.
Company officers were president, John L. King, vice-president and general manager / purchasing agent, Charles E. Hubbell, secretary and treasurer, Giles H. Stillwell, superintendent, Henry Thompson and master mechanic, C. J. Sullivan. The general office was located in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and the Power Station and Repair Shops were located in Edwards Falls.
By 1908, the company headquarters were located on East Fayette Street at the corner of Montgomery Street. Charles E. Hubbell was president and general manager. Chester H. King was vice-president and Giles H. Stilwell was treasurer.
Rail expansion
In June 1920, the total value of the Syracuse and Suburban Railway franchise in SyracuseSyracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, as determined by the New York State Tax Commission, was $125,000, down from $145,250 in 1919.
In March 1921, three commissioners were appointed to determine whether the railroad ought to be constructed and operated in Pine Street between East Genesee Street and East Fayette Street.
Financial problems
On January 1, 1921, the rail, with lines between SyracuseSyracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and Fayetteville
Fayetteville, New York
Fayetteville is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the village had a population of 4,190. The village is named after Lafayette, a national hero of both France and the United States...
and Manlius
Manlius (village), New York
Manlius is a village in Onondaga County, New York, USA. The population was 4,819 at the 2000 census. The village takes its name from its town.The Village of Manlius is near the south town line of the Town of Manlius and is southeast of the City of Syracuse of which it is a suburb.An area of about...
, suspended operation at 1 am because of lack of operating revenue. C. Loomis Allen, general manager, declared that unless there were changed conditions the road would not resume and that readjustment of fares and wages of employees must be effected. That same day, a motor bus service was started pending formal grant of franchises for motor lines between the two villages and the city of Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. The Chenango branch of the New York Central Railroad
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
also stepped in to accommodate many passengers who had relied on the electric service.
Road abandoned
The road was abandoned in 1931 and Route 5 was widened to cover most of the roadbed. Extensive construction and quarrying on the JamesvilleJamesville, New York
Jamesville is a hamlet in De Witt, Onondaga County, New York, United States, part of the greater Syracuse area.The history of the community is documented in the book Water, Wheels and Stone: Heritage of the Little Village by the Creek, Jamesville, New York, written by Jean Schutz Keough, and...
branch had almost eliminated any traces of the former railroad.