Genesee and Water Street Railroad
Encyclopedia
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. The firm also secured the franchise to operate cars in Westcott Street, to South Beech Street, Euclid Avenue, College Place, University Place, Walnut Avenue and Madison Street.
The road merged with Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
in 1890, after an agreement was made that allowed the new company to lease the lines
The road was chartered on October 13, 1865, and was completed in 1866. It ultimately comprised the Fourth Ward Railroad
and the Chestnut Street (now Crouse Avenue) branch, extending to the north boundary line of the campus of Syracuse University
.
By 1875, the line commenced on the corner of South Salina Street and ran through Hanover Square
and followed East Genesee Street through Beech to East Water Street. It also ran up James Street to Burnet Avenue, and from there ran through Catherine, Green, Lodi and Butternut Street and from Chestnut Street (now Crouse Avenue) to University. The business office was located at 2 Onondaga Country Savings Bank Building
.
During 1890, F. S. Wicks was president; D. P. Wood was vice-president; George J. Gardner was secretary and treasurer; and W. J. Hart was superintendent.
was chartered in 1890 in Syracuse
and on July 1, 1890, the new company leased, in perpetuity, several street railroads in the city including the Genesee and Water Street Railroad as well as the Third Ward Railway
, Fourth Ward Railroad
, Fifth Ward Railroad
, Seventh Ward Railroad
, Eleventh Ward Railroad
, Syracuse and Geddes Railway
, Woodlawn and Butternut Street Railway
and New Brighton and Onondaga Valley 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 Genesee and Water Street 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...
, was established in 1865. The company was one of three different railways that were awarded operation franchise rights to run cars in James Street. The firm also secured the franchise to operate cars in Westcott Street, to South Beech Street, Euclid Avenue, College Place, University Place, Walnut Avenue and Madison Street.
The road 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
History
The Genesee and Water Street Railroad was organized in September 1865, with $60,000 in capital by George E. Comstock, W. H. H. Smith, C. T. Longstreet, O. T. Burt and James P. Haskins.The road was chartered on October 13, 1865, and was completed in 1866. It ultimately comprised the 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....
and the Chestnut Street (now Crouse Avenue) branch, extending to the north boundary line of the campus of Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
.
By 1875, the line commenced on the corner of South Salina Street and ran through Hanover Square
Hanover Square
Hanover Square may refer to:* Hanover Square, London, England* Hanover Square, Manhattan, New York City, USA** Hanover Square , elevated station* Hanover Square, Syracuse, USA-See also:* Hanover Square Rooms, London...
and followed East Genesee Street through Beech to East Water Street. It also ran up James Street to Burnet Avenue, and from there ran through Catherine, Green, Lodi and Butternut Street and from Chestnut Street (now Crouse Avenue) to University. The business office was located at 2 Onondaga Country 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...
.
Operations
During 1890, the company employed both 47 pound rail and had 12 rail cars and 60 horses. They also owned three snow plows.Company management
Officers of the company in 1875 included Robert G. Wynkoop, president; William H. H. Smith, vice-president; George J. Gardner, secretary and treasurer; and William Hart, superintendent. The executive committee included D. P. Wood, R. G. Wynkoop, J. D. Bridges and W. K. Rose.During 1890, F. S. Wicks was president; D. P. Wood was vice-president; George J. Gardner was secretary and treasurer; and W. J. Hart was superintendent.
Financial
At the time of establishment, the rail had funded debt at 6 percent and capital of $60,000.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 on July 1, 1890, the new company leased, in perpetuity, several street railroads in the city including the Genesee and Water Street 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....
, Fifth Ward Railroad
Fifth Ward Railroad
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...
, 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...
, 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...
, 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...
and New Brighton and Onondaga Valley Railroad
New Brighton and Onondaga Valley Railroad
The New Brighton and Onondaga Valley Railroad, a horse-drawn street trolley line, was chartered on May 5, 1869, in Syracuse, New York. The road was also known as the 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 Genesee and Water Street 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.