Fourth Ward Railroad

Fourth Ward Railroad
Locale Syracuse, New York, United States
Dates of operation 1888–1890
Successor Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway
Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Headquarters Syracuse, New York

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.[1]

The line commenced in James Street where it ran to Hawley Avenue, Green, Lodi and Willow.[2] The tracks in East Water street were laid by the Genesee and Water Street Railroad and were acquired by the road later that year.[2]

Another branch that commenced at the intersection of Catherine and Hawley and extended to Lodi Street, Burnet Avenue and ended at the city line was a franchise of the Burnet Street Car Company in Burnet Avenue and was acquired by the company in 1888.[2]

The company merged with Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway in 1890, after an agreement was made that allowed the new company to lease the lines.[2]

History

The Fourth Ward Railroad was organized in May 21, 1888.[2] The original line extended from Hanover Square up Warren Street and James Street to Burnet Avenue, Catherine, Green, Lodi and Willow. Soon after the line was established, the route was changed and commenced in James Street where it ran to Hawley Avenue, Green, Lodi and Willow.[2]

The tracks in East Water street were laid by the Genesee and Water Street Railroad and were acquired by the Fourth Ward Railroad Company later that year.[2]

Another branch that commenced at the intersection of Catherine and Hawley and extended to Lodi Street, Burnet Avenue and ended at the city line and was a franchise of the Burnet Street Car Company (granted in June 1886) in Burnet Avenue was acquired by the company in 1888.[2]

Company management

During 1888, the officers included; J. Emmet Wells, president; John Greenway, vice-president; George Wells, treasurer and Charles W. Andrews, secretary.[2]

Syracuse consolidated lease agreement

The Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway 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 Fourth Ward Railroad as well as the Third Ward Railway, Fifth Ward Railroad, Seventh Ward Railroad, Eleventh Ward Railroad, New Brighton and Onondaga Valley Railroad, Woodlawn and Butternut Street Railway, Genesee and Water Street Railroad and Syracuse and Geddes Railway. The rail ran a total distance of 24 miles (39 km) and had branches every 3 miles (4.8 km).[3] At that time, the Fourth Ward Railroad ceased to exist.[2]

Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway filed for bankruptcy in 1893 and merged with the Syracuse Rapid Transit Railway Company in May 1896.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Study for Bus Franchise Recalls Early Trolley Lines". Syracuse Herald-Journal. Syracuse, New York. May 23, 1940.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Bruce, Dwight Hall. Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y., from its settlement to the present time. Electronic Library, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  3. ↑ Poor, Henry Varnum. Manual of the railroads of the United States, Volume 27. Poors, 1889 p. 85; 317. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  4. ↑ American street railway investments. The Street Railway Publishing Company, 1899 p. 262. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
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