Third Ward Railway
Encyclopedia
The Third Ward Railway, an electric street trolley line in Syracuse, New York
, was established in 1886 and ran a distance of 4 miles (6.4 km) commencing in Park Avenue and terminating at Solvay Process Company
in Solvay
, a suburb. A second extension was open for business on July 4, 1889, when a branch was added from West Genesee Street to the shore of Onondaga Lake
, known as "lake shore."
The company merged with Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
in 1890, after an agreement was made that allowed the new company to lease the lines.
at Sixth North Street (now Gere Avenue) in Solvay, New York
, a suburb of Syracuse
. A second extension was opened in 1889 that ran from West Genesee Street to lake shore (Onondaga Lake
).
Syracuse
was one of the first cities in the United States
to adopt electricity as a transportation motive power. The city operated its first electric car in 1889 over the lines of the Third Ward Railway Company. An attempt was made to convert the old horse-drawn cars; however, this was not successful and in 1890, the company purchased complete new equipment and cars.
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 Third Ward Railway as well as the Fourth Ward Railroad
, Fifth Ward Railroad
, Seventh Ward Railroad
, Eleventh Ward Railroad
, New Brighton and Onondaga Valley Railroad
, Genesee and Water Street Railroad
, Woodlawn and Butternut Street Railway
and Syracuse and Geddes Railway
. 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...
, was established in 1886 and ran a distance of 4 miles (6.4 km) commencing in Park Avenue and terminating at Solvay Process Company
Solvay Process Company
The Solvay Process Company was a pioneer chemical industry of the United States in the manufacture of soda ash and a major employer in Central New York...
in 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...
, a suburb. A second extension was open for business on July 4, 1889, when a branch was added from West Genesee Street to the shore of Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake is a lake in Central New York located northwest of Syracuse, New York. The southeastern end of the lake and the southwestern shore abut industrial areas and expressways; the northeastern shore and northwestern end border a series of parks and museums. Although it is near the Finger...
, known as "lake shore."
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.
History
The Third Ward Railroad was organized in 1886 and the road was put in operation in 1888. Its line extended from Salina Street on West Genesee Street to West Street and from there to Park Avenue and Willis Avenue with final termination at Solvay Process CompanySolvay Process Company
The Solvay Process Company was a pioneer chemical industry of the United States in the manufacture of soda ash and a major employer in Central New York...
at Sixth North Street (now Gere Avenue) in Solvay, New York
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...
, a suburb 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...
. A second extension was opened in 1889 that ran from West Genesee Street to lake shore (Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake is a lake in Central New York located northwest of Syracuse, New York. The southeastern end of the lake and the southwestern shore abut industrial areas and expressways; the northeastern shore and northwestern end border a series of parks and museums. Although it is near the Finger...
).
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...
was one of the first cities in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to adopt electricity as a transportation motive power. The city operated its first electric car in 1889 over the lines of the Third Ward Railway Company. An attempt was made to convert the old horse-drawn cars; however, this was not successful and in 1890, the company purchased complete new equipment and cars.
Operations
The line employed both 45 and 47 pound rail and by 1890 had six cars and 26 horses. After the horse-drawn line was replaced with electric rail by the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, the track was upgraded to 35 and 50 pound rail.Company management
During 1890, Walter S. Wales was president and treasurer, James Devine was secretary and S. D. Lake was superintendent. Later that year, H. McGonegal was named as secretary.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 Third Ward Railway as well as 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....
, 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...
, 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....
, 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...
and 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...
. 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.