Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad, an interurban
rail, was incorporated on September 9, 1905, after it was purchased by the Beebe Syndicate. The line ran from Syracuse, New York
, to Baldwinsville, New York
, a distance of 14 miles (22.5 km) with a short branch to the New York State Fair grounds ending at Long Branch Park
west of the city for a total of 23.53 miles (37.9 km) of electric track.
By 1911, the company had 13 fast electric limited trains leaving Syracuse
daily for Baldwinsville
, Phoenix
, Fulton
, Minetto
and Oswego
.
The rail was in use until 1917 when it became known as the Empire State Railroad
, also called Empire State Railway. Streetcar service on the route ran until 1931 when it was abandoned.
, area and began operations in 1905 when it was formed from the Lake Ontario and Riverside Railway, which dated back to 1896 and was a system originally built by the Oswego Street Railway.
The rail was also the successor to the Syracuse, Lakeside and Baldwinsville Railway and was owner of Syracuse and Ontario Railroad. By 1906, the company had contemplated joining the two lines and extending the system to form a through line from Syracuse
to Oswego
, passing through Baldwinsville
, Phoenix
and Fulton
.
Syracusans could travel north to Oswego
to Lake Ontario
and points in between via the Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad to South Bay
and Brewerton
on Oneida Lake
by way of the Syracuse and South Bay Railway
.
Net income at the end of June 1903, was $2,915 and by 1905 was $18,424. During that same period, total operating expenses had grown from $53,520 to $78,282; however, total passengers carried had decreased from 1,938,009 to 1,690,925.
Total liabilities from 1903 to 1905 grew from $1,067,928 to $1,272,490.
That same year, directors were Edward A. Powell, Jas. M. Belden, W. R. Smith, W. J. Smith, Edward Joy, Edward N. Trump, Arthur R. Peck, Charles M. Warner, Franklin J. Kaufman, P. R. Quinlan and W. R. Rockwell, all of Syracuse, New York
. The general office was located at 200 W. Genesee Street in Syracuse
.
By 1908, vice-presidents were H. S. Holden and C. B. Benson. Willis A. Holden was treasurer, Harold C. Beatty was secretary and W. B. Rockwell was general manager.
and Baldwinsville
, a distance of 3 miles (4.8 km).
Beebe relocated part of the track from the highway to private right-of-way and built northward to Oswego
on Lake Ontario
. The line, 38 miles (61.2 km) in length, was completed on July 26, 1911, and its "physical standard" was one of the highest of any interurban. It was double-tracked, strung with catenary
overhead, and built to permit 60 miles per hour (26.8 m/s) running. Schedules demanded more modest speeds, calling for 1:40 total time for the trip.
By October 1911, the company advertised they had 13 fast electric limited trains leaving Syracuse
daily for Baldwinsville
, Phoenix
, Fulton
, Minetto
and Oswego
. The roadbed was "built to the highest steam railway standard." The "Fast Limiteds" left Electric Railway Terminal in Clinton Square
ten minutes after each hour from 7:10 am to 7:10 pm.
In February 1912, employees at the Halcomb Steel Company in Geddes
filed a complaint that the rise in fares between the electric terminal and the plant from five to ten cents for a cash fare and from ten to fifteen cents for a round trip was exhorbitant and unreasonable.
forming the Empire United Railways
which failed in 1917, at which time each road assumed their individual name.
, Syracuse and South Bay Railway
and the Empire United lines
. 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.
. Streetcar service on the route ran until 1931, when it was abandoned in favor of buses.
of "that part of its route on the east river road in Scriba, New York
. The railroad asked for the abandonment of this 1.25 miles (2 km) section of road on the east side of Oswego River
in 1911.
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, was incorporated on September 9, 1905, after it was purchased by the Beebe Syndicate. The line 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 Baldwinsville, New York
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....
, a distance of 14 miles (22.5 km) with a short branch to the New York State Fair grounds ending at 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...
west of the city for a total of 23.53 miles (37.9 km) of electric track.
By 1911, the company had 13 fast electric limited trains leaving 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...
daily for 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...
, 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....
, Minetto
Minetto (town), New York
Minetto is a town in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 1,663 at the 2000 census.The Town of Minetto is located south of the City of Oswego, which it borders....
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"...
.
The rail was in use until 1917 when it became known as the Empire State Railroad
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:...
, also called Empire State Railway. Streetcar service on the route ran until 1931 when it was abandoned.
History
The Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad served the Oswego, New YorkOswego, 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"...
, area and began operations in 1905 when it was formed from the Lake Ontario and Riverside Railway, which dated back to 1896 and was a system originally built by the Oswego Street Railway.
The rail was also the successor to the Syracuse, Lakeside and Baldwinsville Railway and was owner of Syracuse and Ontario Railroad. By 1906, the company had contemplated joining the two lines and extending the system to form a through line 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 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"...
, passing through 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....
.
Syracusans could travel north 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"...
to 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...
and points in between via the Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad to South Bay
South Bay, New York
South Bay is a small hamlet on the south east corner of Oneida Lake in New York State....
and Brewerton
Brewerton, New York
Brewerton is a census-designated place in the town of Cicero in Onondaga County and the town of Hastings in Oswego County in the U.S. state of New York. It lies at the west end of Oneida Lake at its outlet into the Oneida River. The population was 3,455 at the 2000 census...
on Oneida Lake
Oneida Lake
Oneida Lake is the largest lake entirely within New York State . The lake is located northeast of Syracuse and near the Great Lakes. It serves as one of the links in the Erie Canal. It empties into the Oneida River which flows into the Oswego River which in turn flows into Lake Ontario...
by way of the Syracuse and South Bay Railway
Syracuse 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,...
.
Financial
During 1906, the company had authorized and issued $500,000 of capital stock, par value of $100 per share. The funded debt for a first mortgage at five percent gold bonds was $500,000, dated March 1, 1899, and due in 1949. The company also had a second mortgage at six percent gold bonds for $150,000, dated July 1, 1901, and due in 1931. These bonds were given as collateral against liabilities due stockholders.Net income at the end of June 1903, was $2,915 and by 1905 was $18,424. During that same period, total operating expenses had grown from $53,520 to $78,282; however, total passengers carried had decreased from 1,938,009 to 1,690,925.
Total liabilities from 1903 to 1905 grew from $1,067,928 to $1,272,490.
Operations
The company owned 17 motor cars and 5 service cars, 2 snow plows, 2-400 G. W. Walker generators, 1600 H. P. Wheelock engines, West and General Electric motors, St. Louis cars and Puckham trucks.Company management
In 1906, officers of the company were president, Clifford D. Beebe; vice-president, Franklin J. Kaufman; secretary, Edward J. Chapman; treasurer, A. R. Peck; and general manager, William B. Rockwell.That same year, directors were Edward A. Powell, Jas. M. Belden, W. R. Smith, W. J. Smith, Edward Joy, Edward N. Trump, Arthur R. Peck, Charles M. Warner, Franklin J. Kaufman, P. R. Quinlan and W. R. Rockwell, 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...
. The general office was located at 200 W. Genesee Street 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...
.
By 1908, vice-presidents were H. S. Holden and C. B. Benson. Willis A. Holden was treasurer, Harold C. Beatty was secretary and W. B. Rockwell was general manager.
Route expansion
During June 1910, the company had completed plans for double tracking of its railway between Long Branch ParkLong 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...
and 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....
, a distance of 3 miles (4.8 km).
Beebe relocated part of the track from the highway to private right-of-way and built northward 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 line, 38 miles (61.2 km) in length, was completed on July 26, 1911, and its "physical standard" was one of the highest of any interurban. It was double-tracked, strung with catenary
Overhead lines
Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
overhead, and built to permit 60 miles per hour (26.8 m/s) running. Schedules demanded more modest speeds, calling for 1:40 total time for the trip.
By October 1911, the company advertised they had 13 fast electric limited trains leaving 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...
daily for 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...
, 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....
, Minetto
Minetto (town), New York
Minetto is a town in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 1,663 at the 2000 census.The Town of Minetto is located south of the City of Oswego, which it borders....
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"...
. The roadbed was "built to the highest steam railway standard." The "Fast Limiteds" left Electric Railway Terminal in Clinton Square
Clinton Square
Clinton Square, in downtown Syracuse, New York, was the original town center and first came into existence in the early 19th century where roadways from north and south convened...
ten minutes after each hour from 7:10 am to 7:10 pm.
In February 1912, employees at the Halcomb Steel Company in Geddes
Geddes, New York
Geddes is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 17,740 at the 2000 census.The Town of Geddes is west of the neighborhood of Far Westside of Syracuse. The town is a western suburb of Syracuse.- History :...
filed a complaint that the rise in fares between the electric terminal and the plant from five to ten cents for a cash fare and from ten to fifteen cents for a round trip was exhorbitant and unreasonable.
Empire United railways
Financial issues in 1913 forced the company to merge with two nearby interurbans; the Auburn and Northern Electric Railroad and the Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Rapid RailroadRochester, Syracuse and Eastern Rapid Railroad
The Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Rapid Railroad, also known as the Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Railroad, an interurban rail, began operations in 1906 and linked Rochester, New York, with the nearby towns of Newark, Egypt, Fairport and Palmyra...
forming the Empire United Railways
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....
which failed in 1917, at which time each road assumed their individual name.
Labor union
During June 1916, an agreement with the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electrical Railway Employees was offered to workers from the Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad as well as Auburn and Syracuse Electric RailroadAuburn 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."...
, Syracuse and South Bay Railway
Syracuse 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,...
and the 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....
. 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.
Empire State railway
The rail was in use until 1917 when it became known as the Empire State RailroadEmpire 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:...
. Streetcar service on the route ran until 1931, when it was abandoned in favor of buses.
Road abandonment
On June 18, 1919, the "upstate Public Service commission" approved the declaration of abandonment of the Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad Company, which had merged with Empire State Railroad CorporationEmpire 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:...
of "that part of its route on the east river road in Scriba, New York
Scriba, New York
Scriba is a town in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 7,331 at the 2000 census. The town is named after landowner George Scriba.The Town of Scriba is east of the City of Oswego...
. The railroad asked for the abandonment of this 1.25 miles (2 km) section of road on the east side of 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...
in 1911.