Fifth Ward Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Fifth Ward Railroad was a horse-drawn street trolley line in Syracuse, New York
, 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. The company merged with Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
in 1890, after an agreement was made that allowed the new company to lease the lines.
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 (5.6 km) in the city's Near Westside
. By 1875, the road extended from Washington Street to South Street and Geddes Street.
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 (0.3048 m) outside, in good and proper order and repair.
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.
During 1886, the officers were P. H. Brayton, president; O. C. Potter, secretary and treasurer; and Hugh Purnell, superintendent.
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.
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 (38.6 km) and had branches every 3 miles (4.8 km). At that time, the Fifth Ward Railroad ceased to exist.
Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
filed for bankruptcy in 1893 and merged with the Syracuse Rapid Transit Railway Company
in May 1896.
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 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. The company merged with Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
The Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway, chartered on May 22, 1890, in Syracuse, New York. On July 1, 1890, the company leased, in perpetuity, several street railroads in the city including Third Ward Railway, Fourth Ward Railroad, Fifth Ward Railroad, Seventh Ward Railroad, Eleventh Ward...
in 1890, after an agreement was made that allowed the new company to lease the lines.
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 (5.6 km) in the city's Near Westside
Near Westside, Syracuse
The Near Westside is one of the oldest Syracuse neighborhoods. In the early 1900s there were many wealthy families, including the Mayor of Syracuse, living along West Onondaga Street in many very large homes. A beautiful fountain with many statues was located at Onondaga Circle, the junction of...
. By 1875, the road extended from Washington Street to South Street and Geddes Street.
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. 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.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 (0.3048 m) outside, in good and proper order and repair.
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.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.
During 1886, the officers were P. H. Brayton, president; O. C. Potter, secretary and treasurer; and Hugh Purnell, superintendent.
When the company merged with the Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
The Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway, chartered on May 22, 1890, in Syracuse, New York. On July 1, 1890, the company leased, in perpetuity, several street railroads in the city including Third Ward Railway, Fourth Ward Railroad, Fifth Ward Railroad, Seventh Ward Railroad, Eleventh Ward...
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.
Operations
By 1890, the company employed both 35 and 56 pound rail and had 12 rail cars and 56 horses.Syracuse consolidated lease agreement
The Syracuse Consolidated Street RailwaySyracuse Consolidated Street Railway
The Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway, chartered on May 22, 1890, in Syracuse, New York. On July 1, 1890, the company leased, in perpetuity, several street railroads in the city including Third Ward Railway, Fourth Ward Railroad, Fifth Ward Railroad, Seventh Ward Railroad, Eleventh Ward...
was chartered in 1890 in 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 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
Third Ward Railway
The Third Ward Railway, an electric street trolley line in Syracuse, New York, was established in 1886 and ran a distance of commencing in Park Avenue and terminating at Solvay Process Company in Solvay, a suburb...
, Fourth Ward Railroad
Fourth Ward Railroad
The Fourth Ward Railroad, a street trolley line in Syracuse, New York, was organized in 1887 and opened in 1888. The company was one of three different railways that were awarded operation franchise rights to run cars in James Street....
, Seventh Ward Railroad
Seventh Ward Railroad
The Seventh Ward Railroad, a street trolley line in Syracuse, New York, was established in 1886 and held the city railway franchise rights to East Fayette Street. The total length of the road was...
, Eleventh Ward Railroad
Eleventh Ward Railroad
The Eleventh Ward Railroad, a street trolley line in Syracuse, New York, was established in 1889 and held the city railway franchise rights to East Fayette Street...
, Genesee and Water Street Railroad
Genesee and Water Street Railroad
The Genesee and Water Street Railroad, a horse-drawn street trolley in Syracuse, New York, was established in 1865. The company was one of three different railways that were awarded operation franchise rights to run cars in James Street...
, Woodlawn and Butternut Street Railway
Woodlawn and Butternut Street Railway
The Woodlawn and Butternut Street Railway, a horse-drawn street trolley line in Syracuse, New York, was established in 1886. The road commenced at North Salina Street at the junction of James Street and traveled to Butternut street and Manlius Street with final destination, Woodlawn Cemetery.The...
, Syracuse and Geddes Railway
Syracuse and Geddes Railway
The Syracuse and Geddes Railway, a horse-drawn street trolley in Syracuse, New York, was chartered on July 10, 1863. The line ran from Syracuse to Geddes, a suburb...
and New Brighton and Onondaga Railroad. The rail ran a total distance of 24 miles (38.6 km) and had branches every 3 miles (4.8 km). At that time, the Fifth Ward Railroad ceased to exist.
Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
The Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway, chartered on May 22, 1890, in Syracuse, New York. On July 1, 1890, the company leased, in perpetuity, several street railroads in the city including Third Ward Railway, Fourth Ward Railroad, Fifth Ward Railroad, Seventh Ward Railroad, Eleventh Ward...
filed for bankruptcy in 1893 and merged with the Syracuse Rapid Transit Railway Company
Syracuse Rapid Transit Railway
The Syracuse Rapid Transit Railway, an interurban rail, was chartered on May 21, 1896. The company was a consolidation of the Syracuse Street Railroad Company, the Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway Company and the People's Railroad Company which was formerly leased to the Syracuse Street...
in May 1896.