Empire State Railway
Encyclopedia
The Empire State Railway, established in 1916, was an interurban
rail that ran from Syracuse, New York
, to Oswego, New York
, a distance of 38 miles (61.2 km). Streetcar service on the route ran until 1931 when it was abandoned in favor of buses.
to Oswego, New York
, via Baldwinsville
, Phoenix
and Fulton
. The line ran on the beds of the streets in the cities and villages by franchise and on private right-of-way for the remainder.
The following directors and officers were elected; H. S. Holden, William Nottingham, Harold Tenney, Joshua Backman, J. C. Nelson and Thomas W. Meachem, all of Syracuse
and W. H. Lippincott of Philadelphia, C. E. Hotchkiss and F. R. Ford of New York City
. H. R. Holden was named president, F. R. Ford was chairman of executive committee, J. C. Nelson was vice-president and general manager, H. J. Clark was treasurer, S. C. Stivers was secretary and comptroller and J. H. Yoder was auditor.
The new company took over the property from the receiver on October 31, 1916. The firm owned the interurban electric railway between Syracuse
and Oswego
, including the local electric railway system in Oswego
and the Syracuse
terminal. The Rochester and Syracuse Railroad
used the Syracuse
terminal under a rental agreement.
The Empire State Railroad Corporation also owned the interurban electric railway extending from Auburn
to a connection with the Rochester and Syracuse Railroad
at Port Byron, New York
, 26 miles (41.8 km)west of Syracuse
. They also owned part of the local electric railway system in Auburn
which was operated by the Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad
. The total track owned by the Empire State Railroad Corporation was 83 miles (133.6 km), of which 70 miles (112.7 km) was interurban and 13 miles (20.9 km) miles city track. Power was supplied by the Niagara, Lockport and Ontario Power Company from Niagara Falls
, Salmon River
and Oswego River
hydro-electric developments.
By April 1927, officers of the company were Alexander H. Cowie, president; Talmadge C. Cherry, vice-president; Mercer V. White, secretary; and Walter K. Zinsmeister, treasurer.
as determined by the New York State Tax Commission was $72,000, down from $74,700 in 1919.
from Syracuse
cost $2.30. The company advertised that "If you have never visited historic Fort Ontario
and the modern U.S. Army barracks at Oswego
you have missed one of the sights of Central New York
. Ontario Beach promises to be be more popular this year."
Another round trip to Fulton
cost $1.60. Additionally, a daily excursion to Long Branch Park
in Liverpool
to the Long Branch Amusement Park cost 30 cents. The park was called "the Coney Island
of Syracuse
.
Tickets were sold at the "Electric Terminal" at 112 West Genesee Street where other rails such as Rochester and Syracuse Railroad
and Syracuse Northern Electric Railroad also sold vacation excursions.
(R&S) acquired control of the Empire State Railroad in 1922. In 1930, the company leased the Port-Byron-Auburn line after the abandonment of the direct interurban between Syracuse
and Auburn
, however this was short lived as the entire R&S
line was abandoned on June 27, 1931.
The Oswego
route of the Empire State Railway was abandoned three days earlier on June 24, 1931.
and Oswego
under the name Empire State Railways, was signed by Justice Ernest I. Edgecomb in New York Supreme Court
. At that time, trolley services were not affected.
T. C. Cherry, vice-president, was named receiver. He provided a bond of $50,000 to continue operation of the road. The order was returnable and stockholders had until June 25 of 1927 to file their objections to the dissolution of the corporation. The company had been in financial straits for some time.
to the New York State Thruway
and by a Niagara Mohawk Power Line from the New York State Thruway
to Baldwinsville
. The area from Baldwinsville
to Phoenix
ran through the Three Rivers Game Management Area and was occupied by an abandoned natural gas line from a private gas well. Later, the railroad bed was reputedly owned by the various adjoining land owners.
The railroad bed from Phoenix
to Fulton
was occupied by Niagara Mohawk for a gas line and a power line and the northern 4 miles (6.4 km) contained a private water line that was owned by city of Fulton.
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 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...
, to Oswego, New York
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"...
, a distance of 38 miles (61.2 km). Streetcar service on the route ran until 1931 when it was abandoned in favor of buses.
History
The Empire State Railway 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 Oswego, New York
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"...
, via Baldwinsville
Baldwinsville, New York
Baldwinsville is a village in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 7,053 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Syracuse Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Phoenix
Phoenix, New York
Phoenix is a village in Oswego County, New York, United States, about north of Syracuse. The population was 2,251 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from Alexander Phoenix...
and Fulton
Fulton, Oswego County, New York
Fulton is a small city in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 11,855 at the 2000 census. The city is named after Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat.The city of Fulton is located in the western part of the county....
. The line ran on the beds of the streets in the cities and villages by franchise and on private right-of-way for the remainder.
Empire United Railways
The Empire State Railroad Corporation was formed on October 30, 1916, to take over part of the property of the Empire United Railways, Inc.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....
The following directors and officers were elected; H. S. Holden, William Nottingham, Harold Tenney, Joshua Backman, J. C. Nelson and Thomas W. Meachem, all 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 W. H. Lippincott of Philadelphia, C. E. Hotchkiss and F. R. Ford of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. H. R. Holden was named president, F. R. Ford was chairman of executive committee, J. C. Nelson was vice-president and general manager, H. J. Clark was treasurer, S. C. Stivers was secretary and comptroller and J. H. Yoder was auditor.
The new company took over the property from the receiver on October 31, 1916. The firm owned the interurban electric railway between 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 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"...
, including the local electric railway system in 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"...
and the 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...
terminal. The Rochester and Syracuse Railroad
Rochester and Syracuse Railroad
The Rochester and Syracuse Railroad was incorporated on August 1, 1850 authorizing the consolidation of the Auburn and Rochester Railroad Company and the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad Company...
used the 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...
terminal under a rental agreement.
The Empire State Railroad Corporation also owned the interurban electric railway extending 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 a connection with the Rochester and Syracuse Railroad
Rochester and Syracuse Railroad
The Rochester and Syracuse Railroad was incorporated on August 1, 1850 authorizing the consolidation of the Auburn and Rochester Railroad Company and the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad Company...
at Port Byron, New York
Port 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....
, 26 miles (41.8 km)west 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...
. They also owned part of the local electric railway system 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...
which was operated by the Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad
Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad
The Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad was an interurban rail that ran from Auburn, New York to Syracuse, New York, a distance of . The railroad owned a total of of track which "was as fine as any in the state."...
. The total track owned by the Empire State Railroad Corporation was 83 miles (133.6 km), of which 70 miles (112.7 km) was interurban and 13 miles (20.9 km) miles city track. Power was supplied by the Niagara, Lockport and Ontario Power Company from Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, is the collective name for the Horseshoe Falls and the adjacent American Falls along with the comparatively small Bridal Veil Falls, which combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfalls in the world and has...
, Salmon River
Salmon River (New York)
The Salmon River arises in north central New York State on the Tug Hill Plateau to the east of Lake Ontario. It flows westward off the plateau and there is a hydroelectric dam near Little America to create the Salmon River Reservoir. Both the Salmon River and Salmon River Reservoir are heavily...
and Oswego River
Oswego River (New York)
The Oswego River is a river in upstate New York in the United States. This river is the second-largest river flowing into Lake Ontario. James Fenimore Cooper’s novel The Pathfinder, or The Inland Sea is set in the Oswego River valley...
hydro-electric developments.
Union wage agreement
In April 1903, officials of the Empire State Railway and Division 7373, Street Railway Employees, met to discuss a new wage agreement to go into effect the next month. The men were working for 55 cents an hour and asked for an increase to 70 cents an hour.Company management
On March 9, 1920, J. C. Nelson was elected president of the company at a meeting of the board of directors. He was formerly general manager and vice-president and succeeded the late H. S. Holden, who died in November 1918. Nelson was placed in charge of the company's affairs during the time the president's office was vacant. L. L. Odell, treasurer, was elected assistant general manager.By April 1927, officers of the company were Alexander H. Cowie, president; Talmadge C. Cherry, vice-president; Mercer V. White, secretary; and Walter K. Zinsmeister, treasurer.
Financial
In June 1920, the total value of the Empire State Railway Corporation 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 $72,000, down from $74,700 in 1919.
Vacation excursions
By May 1923, a round trip to OswegoOswego, 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"...
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...
cost $2.30. The company advertised that "If you have never visited historic Fort Ontario
Fort Ontario
Fort Ontario is a historic fort situated by the City of Oswego, in Oswego County, New York in the United States of America. It is owned by the state of New York and operated as a museum known as Fort Ontario State Historic Site....
and the modern U.S. Army barracks at 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"...
you have missed one of the sights of Central New York
Central New York
Central New York is a term used to broadly describe the central region of New York State, roughly including the following counties and cities:...
. Ontario Beach promises to be be more popular this year."
Another round trip to Fulton
Fulton, Oswego County, New York
Fulton is a small city in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 11,855 at the 2000 census. The city is named after Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat.The city of Fulton is located in the western part of the county....
cost $1.60. Additionally, a daily excursion to Long Branch Park
Long Branch Park
Long Branch Park is a public park in Onondaga County outside of Syracuse, New York, located in the town of Liverpool on Long Branch Road near NYS Route 370 and John Glenn Boulevard...
in Liverpool
Liverpool, New York
Liverpool is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 2,505 at the 2000 census. The name was adopted from the city of Liverpool in the United Kingdom...
to the Long Branch Amusement Park cost 30 cents. The park was called "the Coney Island
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
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...
.
Tickets were sold at the "Electric Terminal" at 112 West Genesee Street where other rails such as Rochester and Syracuse Railroad
Rochester and Syracuse Railroad (interurban)
The Rochester and Syracuse Railroad was a double-track, high-speed line line that ran between Rochester, New York and Syracuse, New York. The tracks paralleled the New York Central Railroad and the Erie Canal and had only one grade crossing with another railroad its entire length.The road was...
and Syracuse Northern Electric Railroad also sold vacation excursions.
Rochester and Syracuse railroad
The Rochester and Syracuse RailroadRochester and Syracuse Railroad (interurban)
The Rochester and Syracuse Railroad was a double-track, high-speed line line that ran between Rochester, New York and Syracuse, New York. The tracks paralleled the New York Central Railroad and the Erie Canal and had only one grade crossing with another railroad its entire length.The road was...
(R&S) acquired control of the Empire State Railroad in 1922. In 1930, the company leased the Port-Byron-Auburn line after the abandonment of the direct interurban between 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 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...
, however this was short lived as the entire R&S
Rochester and Syracuse Railroad
The Rochester and Syracuse Railroad was incorporated on August 1, 1850 authorizing the consolidation of the Auburn and Rochester Railroad Company and the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad Company...
line was abandoned on June 27, 1931.
The 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"...
route of the Empire State Railway was abandoned three days earlier on June 24, 1931.
Bankruptcy
On April 29, 1927, an order for a voluntary dissolution of the Empire State Railroad Corporation, which operated trolleys 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 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"...
under the name Empire State Railways, was signed by Justice Ernest I. Edgecomb in New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
. At that time, trolley services were not affected.
T. C. Cherry, vice-president, was named receiver. He provided a bond of $50,000 to continue operation of the road. The order was returnable and stockholders had until June 25 of 1927 to file their objections to the dissolution of the corporation. The company had been in financial straits for some time.
Land use
By 1974, the bed of this line was occupied by Interstate Route 690 from 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...
to the New York State Thruway
New York State Thruway
The New York State Thruway is a system of limited-access highways located within the state of New York in the United States. The system, known officially as the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway for former New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, is operated by the New York State Thruway Authority and...
and by a Niagara Mohawk Power Line from the New York State Thruway
New York State Thruway
The New York State Thruway is a system of limited-access highways located within the state of New York in the United States. The system, known officially as the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway for former New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, is operated by the New York State Thruway Authority and...
to Baldwinsville
Baldwinsville, New York
Baldwinsville is a village in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 7,053 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Syracuse Metropolitan Statistical Area....
. The area from Baldwinsville
Baldwinsville, New York
Baldwinsville is a village in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 7,053 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Syracuse Metropolitan Statistical Area....
to Phoenix
Phoenix, New York
Phoenix is a village in Oswego County, New York, United States, about north of Syracuse. The population was 2,251 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from Alexander Phoenix...
ran through the Three Rivers Game Management Area and was occupied by an abandoned natural gas line from a private gas well. Later, the railroad bed was reputedly owned by the various adjoining land owners.
The railroad bed from Phoenix
Phoenix, New York
Phoenix is a village in Oswego County, New York, United States, about north of Syracuse. The population was 2,251 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from Alexander Phoenix...
to Fulton
Fulton, Oswego County, New York
Fulton is a small city in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 11,855 at the 2000 census. The city is named after Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat.The city of Fulton is located in the western part of the county....
was occupied by Niagara Mohawk for a gas line and a power line and the northern 4 miles (6.4 km) contained a private water line that was owned by city of Fulton.