Syracuse and South Bay Railway
Encyclopedia
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 12 miles (19.3 km).
The railway and the steamer
, Seneca, combined to provide a round trip from Syracuse
to Oneida Lake
and across the 1 miles (1.6 km) span to the Frenchman's Island picnic area. The running time from the common center of Syracuse
, to South Bay
took 35 minutes.
In 1907, the company was sold in foreclosure proceedings and merged into the Beebe syndicate of railways in Central New York
. The name or the road was changed to Syracuse Northern Electric Railway Company
by 1917.
northeast to Oneida Lake
. The company planned to be in operation by February 1906.
By January 1905, eighty percent of the grading for 10 miles (16.1 km) of double track had been completed. Additionally, the ties and poles were in the ground and the rails had been ordered.
On October 27, 1905, the first The electric trolley car, drawn by a steam locomotive, passed over the Syracuse and South Bay Railway carrying directors and officials of the company.
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. The road ran from Syracuse
to South Bay Road, on the southern shore of Oneida Lake
.
By 1905, the Syracuse and South Bay Railway had the contracts for the car bodies of ten motor-equipped cars to the J. G. Brill Company of Philadelphia. The Peckham Manufacturing Company won the truck contract and ten trailers were later ordered. Each of the ten cars delivered cost $5,000. By 1906, the company had ten high speed interurban cars and ten others.
The general office was located at 305 Gridley Building
in Syracuse, New York
. Repair shops were situated on the westside of the city.
furnished power for the road. In the planning stages, it was thought that if necessary, additional power could be obtained from the plant of the Syracuse Lighting Company. Eventually, the company, "in common with other traction lines hereabouts will lease Niagara power."
On August 25, 1908, Niagara power was turned into the transmission lines of the railway between the Solvay
substation and North Syracuse
. A test of the lines between North Syracuse
and South Bay
was made the following day and once complete the line was opened at once for business. At that time, the "old Lucebaum farmhouse" at South Bay
was remodeled into a temporary station.
and George R. Allen of Cicero
.
Officers of the company were president, George D. Chapman; vice-president, Willis B. Burns; secretary, W. R. Kimball; treasurer, Frank L. Barnes; auditor, D. E. Balsby; general manager and purchasing agent, George C. Towle.
In January 1905, Lieutenant Governor W. M. Brown of Pennsylvania
, was interested in the company.
By the time the first electric trolley was operational in October 1905, directors and officials included W. B. Burns, L. L. Waters, F. T. Pierson, P. L. Barnes, George T. Skiff, H. W. Plumb, George D. Chapman, George C. Towle, D. E. Balsey, C. P. Hemingway and T. D. MacGregor.
During 1906, directors included; H. R. Plumb, W. R. Kimball, F. T. Pierson, Frank L. Barnes, Willis B. Burns, W. K. Niver, George T. Skiff and L. L. Waters.
E. M. Wharf was hired as an electrical engineer. He also worked in the same capacity for the Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern Railroad
.
By 1908, the company headquarters were located at 500 Onondaga County Savings Bank Building
in Downtown Syracuse
. F. W. Roebling was vice-president, C. A. Lux was secretary and Willis A. Holden was treasurer.
Waters represented the Willard R. Kimball interests and it was known that if Brown won the foreclosure action, "it would leave him in absolute control of the affairs of the road." Both sides "got together some time ago" and arranged a compromise and Kimball was given an option on the road which was "extended from time to time," however, Kimball had not been able to secure the necessary backing to complete the road. The fight put up by the Kimball interests to stave off the trial of the foreclosure suit showed the company was "trying to prevent the Brown faction from going on with the road to the exclusion of the Kimball people."
Litigation ended in the case involving the Syracuse and South Bay Railway and South Bay Construction by late November 1907, in a special term of the New York Supreme Court
in the confirmation of the report of Attorney Douglas E. Petit as referee in the case of the Lawrence Savings and Trust Company against the rail. The road was sold to Petit in the foreclosure action and Ceylon H. Lewis stated that Clifford D. Beebe now held $300,000 worth of bonds and 92 coupons. Additionally, Charles S. Averill had 53 coupons and Louis Wallis had 8. Four coupons were missing and could not be accounted for. There were another 27 coupons which had been declared null and void.
The report showed that Willard R. Kimball had no interest in the road or in anything connected with it. The coupons held by Averill were formerly the property of Kimball which once totaled 80 in number, with 23 null and void.
Attorney Lewis reported that the referee had received $25,100 as the first payment on the bonds sold. He paid $19,600 in taxes and costs and $1,248 to the Trust company. A trustee of the bonds and the order provided for the payment of $4,500 to Attorneys Lewis and Crowley, who appeared for the Lawrence Savings and Trust Company. The balance was distributed pro rata among the bondholders.
There was no objection to the confirmation of the report of sale and all litigation over the rail appeared to be at an end.
bought the railroad property at mortgage foreclosure sale at $251,000. Beebe announced that the railway construction would be completed.
By November 1907, the Syracuse and South Bay Electric Railroad Company, successor to Syracuse and South Bay Street Railway Company, with offices at 500 Onondaga County Savings Bank Building
, were owners of both the Syracuse and Oneida Lake Electric Railway Company and the Syracuse and South Bay Railway Company. President and general manager was Clifford D. Beebe of Syracuse
; vice-president, F. W. Roebiling of Trenton, New Jersey
; secretary, C. A. Lux; treasurer, A. K. Hiscock; auditor, W. W. Foster; purchasing agent, H. J. Clark; chief engineer, T. H. Mather all of Syracuse
and electrical engineer, R. A. Dyer, Jr. of Newark, New York
.
, Seneca, combined to provide a round trip from Syracuse
to Oneida Lake
and across the span to Frenchman's Island picnic area. The cost of the trip was 50 cents and there was "no charge for use of island equipment." By 1907, the company owned the park at South Bay
and the amusement grounds on both Frenchman Island and Dunham Island at Oneida Lake
.
Additionally, there were thrice-weekly excursions to the Thousand Islands
and Montreal
in Quebec
as well as a special trip to Lakeside Park on Owasco Lake
, which was called "the prize summer resort of Central New York
."
During August 1909, special fares from Syracuse
to Sylvan Beach and return cost $1.00 and trips in the reverse direction cost 50 cents. Tickets could be purchased at the Electric Railway Terminal in the Empire Hotel in Clinton Square
in Downtown Syracuse
or at the Oneida Lake Terminal Company. A new 600 passenger steamer
named the Sagamore left the South Bay Dock on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 am and arrived at Sylvan Beach at 12:00 pm. The return trip left Sylvan Beach at 4:30 pm and arrived in South Bay at 6:30 pm. In order to make the connection, travelers had to leave Syracuse
on South Bay cars not later than 9:00 am.
By June 1915, the company was advertising their new boat "Jean" that was in trials on Oneida Lake
. The boat had recently completed a set of trials on the St. Lawrence River. It had six-cylinders developing 100-horsepower for speed with free width of beam to insure safety. At that time, a special, one day, three part ticket permitting stop over at Brewerton
, Frenchman's Island and South Bay
on either Saturday or Sunday cost 70 cents. The cars departed from the Electric Railway Terminal to both Brewerton
and South Bay
as early as 8:50am and late as 8:50pm.
, Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad
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.
by 1917.
in 1907 and it was replaced by the South Bay Road in 1932 on "that straight line to the lake" which opened "yet another path for settlers" with automobiles who "looked for places to live" after World War II
.
The last link in the new county highway, built on the roadbed of the abandoned Syracuse and South Bay Railway, was completed in September 1938. The highway was extended at that time from the Syracuse-Brewerton Road, from a point about midway between Mattydale
and Pitcher Hall, northeast to South Bay
. The final stretch of the road to open was between Syracuse-Brewerton Road and Fay Road near North Syracuse
. A section of the highway, at the South Bay
end was of concrete construction by late 1938 and the remainder was gravel. The new route cut the distance between Syracuse
and South Bay
.
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...
, through Cicero
Cicero, New York
Cicero is a town in Onondaga County, New York, USA. The population was 27,982 at the 2000 census. The name of the town was assigned by a clerk interested in the classics, honoring Cicero, a Roman statesman....
to Lower South Bay
South Bay, New York
South Bay is a small hamlet on the south east corner of Oneida Lake in New York State....
on the south shore of 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...
, a distance of 12 miles (19.3 km).
The railway and the steamer
Steamboat
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...
, Seneca, combined to provide a round trip 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 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...
and across the 1 miles (1.6 km) span to the Frenchman's Island picnic area. The running time from the common center 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...
, 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....
took 35 minutes.
In 1907, the company was sold in foreclosure proceedings and merged into the Beebe syndicate of railways in 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:...
. The name or the road was changed to Syracuse Northern Electric Railway Company
Syracuse Northern Electric Railway
The Syracuse Northern Electric Railway, also known as the Syracuse and Northern Electric Railway, was an interurban rail that ran from Syracuse, New York to Oswego, New York, a distance of...
by 1917.
History
The Syracuse and South Bay Railway Company was chartered on April 23, 1900, and incorporated on May 10, 1900. The company built a road from the center of the city of 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...
northeast to 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...
. The company planned to be in operation by February 1906.
By January 1905, eighty percent of the grading for 10 miles (16.1 km) of double track had been completed. Additionally, the ties and poles were in the ground and the rails had been ordered.
On October 27, 1905, the first The electric trolley car, drawn by a steam locomotive, passed over the Syracuse and South Bay Railway carrying directors and officials of the company.
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
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...
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. The road ran 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 South Bay Road, on the southern shore of 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...
.
Operations
During the planning stages the rolling stock was designated as double-track high speed interurban cars with motors capable of delivering 200 horse power with 10 open trailer cars to run in conjunction with the larger type. Additionally, 5 box and 5 flat freight cars and 2 electric locomotives of sufficient power to draw a train of 10 trailers. The locomotives were to be used for freight and excursion business.By 1905, the Syracuse and South Bay Railway had the contracts for the car bodies of ten motor-equipped cars to the J. G. Brill Company of Philadelphia. The Peckham Manufacturing Company won the truck contract and ten trailers were later ordered. Each of the ten cars delivered cost $5,000. By 1906, the company had ten high speed interurban cars and ten others.
The general office was located at 305 Gridley Building
Gridley Building
The Gridley Building, built in 1867 and known previously as the Onondaga County Savings Bank Building, is a prominent historic building on Clinton Square and Hanover Square in Syracuse, New York...
in 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...
. Repair shops were situated on the westside of the city.
Electric power
According to an agreement signed in January 1905, the Syracuse Rapid Transit Railway CompanySyracuse 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...
furnished power for the road. In the planning stages, it was thought that if necessary, additional power could be obtained from the plant of the Syracuse Lighting Company. Eventually, the company, "in common with other traction lines hereabouts will lease Niagara power."
On August 25, 1908, Niagara power was turned into the transmission lines of the railway between the Solvay
Solvay, New York
Solvay is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, and a suburb of the city of Syracuse. According to the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 6,845...
substation and North Syracuse
North Syracuse, New York
North Syracuse is a village in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 6,863 at the 2000 census.The Village of North Syracuse is partly in the Town of Cicero, but is primarily within the Town of Clay. North Syracuse is north of the City of Syracuse.- History :The village was...
. A test of the lines between North Syracuse
North Syracuse, New York
North Syracuse is a village in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 6,863 at the 2000 census.The Village of North Syracuse is partly in the Town of Cicero, but is primarily within the Town of Clay. North Syracuse is north of the City of Syracuse.- History :The village was...
and South Bay
South Bay, New York
South Bay is a small hamlet on the south east corner of Oneida Lake in New York State....
was made the following day and once complete the line was opened at once for business. At that time, the "old Lucebaum farmhouse" at South Bay
South Bay, New York
South Bay is a small hamlet on the south east corner of Oneida Lake in New York State....
was remodeled into a temporary station.
Company management
In May 1900, directors of the company included George D. Chapman, James E. Ratchford, Hiram W. Plumb, all of 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 George R. Allen of Cicero
Cicero, New York
Cicero is a town in Onondaga County, New York, USA. The population was 27,982 at the 2000 census. The name of the town was assigned by a clerk interested in the classics, honoring Cicero, a Roman statesman....
.
Officers of the company were president, George D. Chapman; vice-president, Willis B. Burns; secretary, W. R. Kimball; treasurer, Frank L. Barnes; auditor, D. E. Balsby; general manager and purchasing agent, George C. Towle.
In January 1905, Lieutenant Governor W. M. Brown of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, was interested in the company.
By the time the first electric trolley was operational in October 1905, directors and officials included W. B. Burns, L. L. Waters, F. T. Pierson, P. L. Barnes, George T. Skiff, H. W. Plumb, George D. Chapman, George C. Towle, D. E. Balsey, C. P. Hemingway and T. D. MacGregor.
During 1906, directors included; H. R. Plumb, W. R. Kimball, F. T. Pierson, Frank L. Barnes, Willis B. Burns, W. K. Niver, George T. Skiff and L. L. Waters.
E. M. Wharf was hired as an electrical engineer. He also worked in the same capacity for 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...
.
By 1908, the company headquarters were located 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...
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 :...
. F. W. Roebling was vice-president, C. A. Lux was secretary and Willis A. Holden was treasurer.
Financial
The company had authorized and issued $120,000 of capital stock with a par value of $100 per share. The first mortgage consisted of gold bonds issued for $300,000 due in 1935.Bay Road Construction company
Bay Road Construction Company was established to build the road. By November 1906, "another fight had developed among different factions" of the company and the history of problems dated back to 1905 when legal judgments were filed against the company. The trouble was in regard to foreclosure action of the Lawrence Savings and Trust Company as trustee against the Syracuse and South Bay Railway Company and others. The mortgage in reference totaled $300,000 and covered all property of the Bay Road Construction Company which was called the Brown mortgage. In defense, attorney for the railway was Louis L. Waters, who represented the directors of the road. The plaintiffs were represented by Ceylon H. Lewis.Waters represented the Willard R. Kimball interests and it was known that if Brown won the foreclosure action, "it would leave him in absolute control of the affairs of the road." Both sides "got together some time ago" and arranged a compromise and Kimball was given an option on the road which was "extended from time to time," however, Kimball had not been able to secure the necessary backing to complete the road. The fight put up by the Kimball interests to stave off the trial of the foreclosure suit showed the company was "trying to prevent the Brown faction from going on with the road to the exclusion of the Kimball people."
Litigation ended in the case involving the Syracuse and South Bay Railway and South Bay Construction by late November 1907, in a special term of the 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...
in the confirmation of the report of Attorney Douglas E. Petit as referee in the case of the Lawrence Savings and Trust Company against the rail. The road was sold to Petit in the foreclosure action and Ceylon H. Lewis stated that Clifford D. Beebe now held $300,000 worth of bonds and 92 coupons. Additionally, Charles S. Averill had 53 coupons and Louis Wallis had 8. Four coupons were missing and could not be accounted for. There were another 27 coupons which had been declared null and void.
The report showed that Willard R. Kimball had no interest in the road or in anything connected with it. The coupons held by Averill were formerly the property of Kimball which once totaled 80 in number, with 23 null and void.
Attorney Lewis reported that the referee had received $25,100 as the first payment on the bonds sold. He paid $19,600 in taxes and costs and $1,248 to the Trust company. A trustee of the bonds and the order provided for the payment of $4,500 to Attorneys Lewis and Crowley, who appeared for the Lawrence Savings and Trust Company. The balance was distributed pro rata among the bondholders.
There was no objection to the confirmation of the report of sale and all litigation over the rail appeared to be at an end.
Beebe syndicate
In February 1907, Clifford D. Beebe, owner of the Beebe syndicate of railways in Central New YorkCentral 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:...
bought the railroad property at mortgage foreclosure sale at $251,000. Beebe announced that the railway construction would be completed.
By November 1907, the Syracuse and South Bay Electric Railroad Company, successor to Syracuse and South Bay Street Railway Company, with offices 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...
, were owners of both the Syracuse and Oneida Lake Electric Railway Company and the Syracuse and South Bay Railway Company. President and general manager was 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...
; vice-president, F. W. Roebiling of Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
; secretary, C. A. Lux; treasurer, A. K. Hiscock; auditor, W. W. Foster; purchasing agent, H. J. Clark; chief engineer, T. H. Mather 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 electrical engineer, R. A. Dyer, Jr. of Newark, New York
Newark, New York
Newark is a village in Wayne County, New York, U.S., south east of Rochester. The population was 9,682 at the 2000 census.The Village of Newark is in the south part of the Town of Arcadia and is in the south of Wayne County.- History :...
.
Vacation excursions
The railway along with the steamerSteamboat
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...
, Seneca, combined to provide a round trip 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 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...
and across the span to Frenchman's Island picnic area. The cost of the trip was 50 cents and there was "no charge for use of island equipment." By 1907, the company owned the park at 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 the amusement grounds on both Frenchman Island and Dunham Island at 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...
.
Additionally, there were thrice-weekly excursions to the Thousand Islands
Thousand Islands
The Thousand Islands is the name of an archipelago of islands that straddle the Canada-U.S. border in the Saint Lawrence River as it emerges from the northeast corner of Lake Ontario. They stretch for about downstream from Kingston, Ontario. The Canadian islands are in the province of Ontario, the...
and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
as well as a special trip to Lakeside 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"....
, which was called "the prize summer resort 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:...
."
During August 1909, special fares 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 Sylvan Beach and return cost $1.00 and trips in the reverse direction cost 50 cents. Tickets could be purchased at the Electric Railway Terminal in the Empire Hotel 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...
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 :...
or at the Oneida Lake Terminal Company. A new 600 passenger steamer
Steamboat
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...
named the Sagamore left the South Bay Dock on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 am and arrived at Sylvan Beach at 12:00 pm. The return trip left Sylvan Beach at 4:30 pm and arrived in South Bay at 6:30 pm. In order to make the connection, travelers had to leave 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...
on South Bay cars not later than 9:00 am.
By June 1915, the company was advertising their new boat "Jean" that was in trials 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...
. The boat had recently completed a set of trials on the St. Lawrence River. It had six-cylinders developing 100-horsepower for speed with free width of beam to insure safety. At that time, a special, one day, three part ticket permitting stop over at 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...
, Frenchman's Island and South Bay
South Bay, New York
South Bay is a small hamlet on the south east corner of Oneida Lake in New York State....
on either Saturday or Sunday cost 70 cents. The cars departed from the Electric Railway Terminal to both 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...
and South Bay
South Bay, New York
South Bay is a small hamlet on the south east corner of Oneida Lake in New York State....
as early as 8:50am and late as 8:50pm.
Labor union
During June 1916, an agreement with the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electrical Railway Employees was offered to workers from Syracuse and South Bay Railway as well as Empire United linesEmpire 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....
, 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."...
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.
Syracuse Northern Electric railway
The rail was formerly the Syracuse and South Bay Railway Company and the name was changed to Syracuse Northern Electric Railway CompanySyracuse Northern Electric Railway
The Syracuse Northern Electric Railway, also known as the Syracuse and Northern Electric Railway, was an interurban rail that ran from Syracuse, New York to Oswego, New York, a distance of...
by 1917.
South Bay road
The rail first arrived in North SyracuseNorth Syracuse, New York
North Syracuse is a village in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 6,863 at the 2000 census.The Village of North Syracuse is partly in the Town of Cicero, but is primarily within the Town of Clay. North Syracuse is north of the City of Syracuse.- History :The village was...
in 1907 and it was replaced by the South Bay Road in 1932 on "that straight line to the lake" which opened "yet another path for settlers" with automobiles who "looked for places to live" after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The last link in the new county highway, built on the roadbed of the abandoned Syracuse and South Bay Railway, was completed in September 1938. The highway was extended at that time from the Syracuse-Brewerton Road, from a point about midway between Mattydale
Mattydale, New York
Mattydale is a hamlet in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 6,367 at the 2000 census.Mattydale is a community in the northeast of the Town of Salina and is a northern suburb of Syracuse....
and Pitcher Hall, northeast 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....
. The final stretch of the road to open was between Syracuse-Brewerton Road and Fay Road near North Syracuse
North Syracuse, New York
North Syracuse is a village in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 6,863 at the 2000 census.The Village of North Syracuse is partly in the Town of Cicero, but is primarily within the Town of Clay. North Syracuse is north of the City of Syracuse.- History :The village was...
. A section of the highway, at the South Bay
South Bay, New York
South Bay is a small hamlet on the south east corner of Oneida Lake in New York State....
end was of concrete construction by late 1938 and the remainder was gravel. The new route cut the distance 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 South Bay
South Bay, New York
South Bay is a small hamlet on the south east corner of Oneida Lake in New York State....
.