Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad was an interurban
rail that ran from Auburn, New York
to Syracuse, New York
, a distance of 24 miles (38.6 km). The railroad owned a total of 58 miles (93.3 km) of track which "was as fine as any in the state."
The road was owned by Clifford D. Beebe of Syracuse
. The Beebe Syndicate controlled interurbans that ran from Rochester
to Syracuse
, to Auburn
to Oswego
on Lake Ontario
.
The company went bankrupt in 1927 and streetcar service in Auburn
ended at that time; however, interurban
service continued until the business was sold in early 1930. Rail service was abandoned on April 15, 1930.
to Auburn
via Split Rock Quarry
, Marcellus
and Skaneateles
. The entire length in Onondaga County
was owned by the county.
The railroad was established in 1902 from the Auburn Interurban Electric Railroad, which had opened a line that ran along the highway from Auburn
to Skaneateles
, a distance of 7 miles (11.3 km). During 1902, the company consolidated with the Auburn City Railway to form the Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad. During 1903, the company built an interurban on private right-of-way from Skaneateles
to Syracuse
, a distance of 20 miles (32.2 km). The new line was double-tracked in 1906.
Billed as the "Scenic Route," the road featured a combination of freight and passenger service that was unique to local lines.
, Sennett
, Owasco
, Skaneateles
, Split Rock
, Syracuse
, Marcellus
, Onondaga
and Camillus
.
In 1905, the company owned 43 cars, with 29 in daily operation. The power house which supplied the current was located on Clark Street in Auburn
and the company offices were on Genesee Street. By 1905, the company had 225 employees and during periods of construction work they sometimes had as many as 500.
, and the operating offices were in Auburn
. By 1906, the company headquarters were located in Downtown Syracuse
at 500 Onondaga County Savings Bank Building
. Treasurer that year was Willis A. Holden and assistant general manager was R. A. Dyer, Jr.
During August 1911, the railroad was providing vacation excursions to Upstate New York
locations such as Skaneateles Lake
which they advertised as "A Perfect Ride in Perfect Safety Searchlight Excursion." The trip was scheduled three times a week and included a 38 miles (61.2 km) "scenic" trolley ride and a 30 miles (48.3 km) "searchlight sail" and one hour of dancing at Ten Mile Point, New York
. On weekends the railroad ventured to Fair Haven
instead of Skaneateles Lake
. The round trip price was 75 cents, no matter the location or day and the main ticket office was located at 340 West Fayette Street.
on Skaneateles Lake
and an amusement park on Owasco Lake
. Passenger traffic was heavy in the summer months and the interurban carried substantial amounts of express. The railroad also handled occasional freight cars in railroad interchange.
, Empire United lines
and the Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad
. Additionally, the Fulton city lines and Oswego city lines were included in the agreement. Attending the conference were H. J. Barrette and Burton Sampson of the Auburn line, Patrick Long and Willis Pickard of the South Bay road and John Manning and Arthur Hubbell of the Lake Shore road.
line which was owned by Empire State Railroad Corporation
.
service continued and the business was sold to Enna Jettick Shoe Company for the amusement park on March 20, 1930. Rail service was abandoned on April 15, 1930.
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 that ran from Auburn, New York
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
to 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...
, a distance of 24 miles (38.6 km). The railroad owned a total of 58 miles (93.3 km) of track which "was as fine as any in the state."
The road was owned by Clifford D. Beebe 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 Beebe Syndicate controlled interurbans that ran from Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
to 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 Auburn
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
to Oswego
Oswego, New York
Oswego is a city in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 18,142 at the 2010 census. Oswego is located on Lake Ontario in north-central New York and promotes itself as "The Port City of Central New York"...
on Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
.
The company went bankrupt in 1927 and streetcar service in Auburn
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
ended at that time; however, interurban
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...
service continued until the business was sold in early 1930. Rail service was abandoned on April 15, 1930.
History
The Auburn and Syracuse Electric Roadroad 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 Auburn
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
via Split Rock Quarry
Split Rock, New York
Split Rock is a hamlet in the Town of Onondaga in Onondaga County, New York. Today more a historic place than a community, Split Rock is a site of great interest to industrial archeology. The Solvay Process Company developed quarry operations here, delivering limestone used for the Solvay process...
, Marcellus
Marcellus (village), New York
Marcellus is a village located in the Town of Marcellus in Onondaga County, New York, USA. The population was 1,826 at the 2000 census. The Village of Marcellus is southwest of Syracuse and is in the southern part of the Town of Marcellus.-History:...
and Skaneateles
Skaneateles (village), New York
Skaneateles is a village in the town of Skaneateles, Onondaga County, New York, United States. The village is named from and located on the shores of Skaneateles Lake, one of the Finger Lakes. The village, as of the 2000 census, has a population of 2,616 residents. The main highway through the...
. The entire length in Onondaga County
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
was owned by the county.
The railroad was established in 1902 from the Auburn Interurban Electric Railroad, which had opened a line that ran along the highway from Auburn
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
to Skaneateles
Skaneateles (village), New York
Skaneateles is a village in the town of Skaneateles, Onondaga County, New York, United States. The village is named from and located on the shores of Skaneateles Lake, one of the Finger Lakes. The village, as of the 2000 census, has a population of 2,616 residents. The main highway through the...
, a distance of 7 miles (11.3 km). During 1902, the company consolidated with the Auburn City Railway to form the Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad. During 1903, the company built an interurban on private right-of-way from Skaneateles
Skaneateles (village), New York
Skaneateles is a village in the town of Skaneateles, Onondaga County, New York, United States. The village is named from and located on the shores of Skaneateles Lake, one of the Finger Lakes. The village, as of the 2000 census, has a population of 2,616 residents. The main highway through the...
to 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...
, a distance of 20 miles (32.2 km). The new line was double-tracked in 1906.
Billed as the "Scenic Route," the road featured a combination of freight and passenger service that was unique to local lines.
Operations
The company maintained "regular and up-to-date service to suburban homes and industrial plants." They had lines running to FlemingFleming, New York
Fleming is a town in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 2,636 at the 2010 census. The name is that of General George Fleming, an early settler.The Town of Fleming is at the north end of Owasco Lake, south of Auburn, New York....
, Sennett
Sennett, New York
Sennett is a town in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 3,595 at the 2010 census. The town is named after a public official and early settler, Daniel Sennett....
, Owasco
Owasco, New York
Owasco is a town in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 3,793 at the 2010 census.The Town of Owasco is in the eastern part of Cayuga County and is at the southeast city line of Auburn, New York. The town borders Owasco Lake, from where it gets its name...
, Skaneateles
Skaneateles (village), New York
Skaneateles is a village in the town of Skaneateles, Onondaga County, New York, United States. The village is named from and located on the shores of Skaneateles Lake, one of the Finger Lakes. The village, as of the 2000 census, has a population of 2,616 residents. The main highway through the...
, Split Rock
Split Rock, New York
Split Rock is a hamlet in the Town of Onondaga in Onondaga County, New York. Today more a historic place than a community, Split Rock is a site of great interest to industrial archeology. The Solvay Process Company developed quarry operations here, delivering limestone used for the Solvay process...
, 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...
, Marcellus
Marcellus, New York
Marcellus, New York may refer to:*Marcellus , New York in Onondaga County*Marcellus , New York, located within the Town of Marcellus...
, Onondaga
Onondaga, New York
Onondaga is a town located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the town had a population of 21,063. The town is named after the native Onondaga tribe, part of the Iroquois Confederacy....
and Camillus
Camillus, New York
Camillus, New York is located in Onondaga County. There are two parts to Camillus, New York:*Camillus, New York *Camillus, New York...
.
In 1905, the company owned 43 cars, with 29 in daily operation. The power house which supplied the current was located on Clark Street in Auburn
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
and the company offices were on Genesee Street. By 1905, the company had 225 employees and during periods of construction work they sometimes had as many as 500.
Company management
The officers of the company were Clifford D. Beebe, president; A. M. Michael, secretary; and R. P. Stevens, general superintendent. The general offices were located in Syracuse, New YorkSyracuse, 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 operating offices were in Auburn
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
. By 1906, the company headquarters were located in Downtown Syracuse
Downtown 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 :...
at 500 Onondaga County Savings Bank Building
Onondaga County Savings Bank
The Onondaga County Savings Bank was chartered in 1855 in Syracuse, New York. It was a franchise ahead of its time and had four separate branches by the late 19th century...
. Treasurer that year was Willis A. Holden and assistant general manager was R. A. Dyer, Jr.
Vacation excursions
By November 1905, the Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad had cars to Split Rock, Marcellus, Skaneateles and Auburn.During August 1911, the railroad was providing vacation excursions to Upstate New York
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
locations such as Skaneateles Lake
Skaneateles Lake
Skaneateles Lake is one of the Finger Lakes in central New York in the United States. The name Skaneateles means long lake in one of the local Iroquoian languages. The lake is sometimes referred to as "The Roof Garden of the Lakes" because its altitude is higher than the other Finger Lakes. It...
which they advertised as "A Perfect Ride in Perfect Safety Searchlight Excursion." The trip was scheduled three times a week and included a 38 miles (61.2 km) "scenic" trolley ride and a 30 miles (48.3 km) "searchlight sail" and one hour of dancing at Ten Mile Point, New York
Ten Mile Point, New York
Ten Mile Point is a scenic area on the shore of Skaneateles Lake, New York, a popular picnic spot for lake outings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is located at the mouth of a ravine on alluvium. Onandaga County Road 72 runs through it and is locally known as "10 Mile Point Road"...
. On weekends the railroad ventured to Fair Haven
Fair Haven, New York
Fair Haven is a village in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 884 at the 2000 census.The Village of Fair Haven is within the Town of Sterling and is northwest of Syracuse, New York...
instead of Skaneateles Lake
Skaneateles Lake
Skaneateles Lake is one of the Finger Lakes in central New York in the United States. The name Skaneateles means long lake in one of the local Iroquoian languages. The lake is sometimes referred to as "The Roof Garden of the Lakes" because its altitude is higher than the other Finger Lakes. It...
. The round trip price was 75 cents, no matter the location or day and the main ticket office was located at 340 West Fayette Street.
Steamboat
The company operated a steamboatSteamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
on Skaneateles Lake
Skaneateles Lake
Skaneateles Lake is one of the Finger Lakes in central New York in the United States. The name Skaneateles means long lake in one of the local Iroquoian languages. The lake is sometimes referred to as "The Roof Garden of the Lakes" because its altitude is higher than the other Finger Lakes. It...
and an amusement park on Owasco Lake
Owasco Lake
Owasco Lake is the sixth largest and third easternmost of the Finger Lakes of New York in the United States of America . The name Owasco can be roughly translated from a Mohawk and Iroquois term meaning "crossing"....
. Passenger traffic was heavy in the summer months and the interurban carried substantial amounts of express. The railroad also handled occasional freight cars in railroad interchange.
Labor union
During June 1916, an agreement with the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electrical Railway Employees was offered to workers from the Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad as well as Syracuse and South Bay RailwaySyracuse and South Bay Railway
The Syracuse and South Bay Railway, also known as the Syracuse and South Bay Electric Railroad, incorporated on May 10, 1900, was an interurban rail that ran from Syracuse, New York, through Cicero to Lower South Bay on the south shore of Oneida Lake, a distance of .The railway and the steamer,...
, Empire United lines
Empire United Railways
The Empire United Railways was an interurban rail that was owned by Clifford D. Beebe of Syracuse, New York. The Beebe Syndicate controlled interurbans that ran from Rochester to Syracuse, to Auburn to Oswego on Lake Ontario....
and the Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad
Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad
The Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad, an interurban rail, was incorporated on September 9, 1905, after it was purchased by the Beebe Syndicate...
. Additionally, the Fulton city lines and Oswego city lines were included in the agreement. Attending the conference were H. J. Barrette and Burton Sampson of the Auburn line, Patrick Long and Willis Pickard of the South Bay road and John Manning and Arthur Hubbell of the Lake Shore road.
Employee strike
In May 1919, railroad employees were on strike after they tried to force the company to "dispossess a tenant from property" the company did not own or exercise any rights of control. The Amalgamated union officials were insistent that their men be allowed to run the Auburn and Northern Railroad, Port ByronPort Byron, New York
Port Byron is a village in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,297 at the 2000 census. The village is believed to be named after Lord Byron.The Village of Port Byron is in the Town of Mentz and is north of Auburn, New York....
line which was owned by Empire State Railroad Corporation
Empire State Railway
The Empire State Railway, established in 1916, was an interurban rail that ran from Syracuse, New York, to Oswego, New York, a distance of . Streetcar service on the route ran until 1931 when it was abandoned in favor of buses.-History:...
.
Bankruptcy
The company went bankrupt in 1927 and streetcar service in Auburn ended at that time; however, interurbanInterurban
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...
service continued and the business was sold to Enna Jettick Shoe Company for the amusement park on March 20, 1930. Rail service was abandoned on April 15, 1930.