Syracuse and Utica Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Syracuse and Utica Railroad was chartered May 1, 1836, and had to pay the state for any freight displaced from the Erie Canal
. The full line opened July 3, 1839, extending the line further to Syracuse, New York
to Rome, New York
(and further to Auburn, New York
via the already-opened Auburn and Syracuse Railroad
). The road was consolidated into the New York Central Railroad
in 1853.
to Utica
. The route went through Oneida
and Rome
, a distance of 53 miles (85.3 km).
On July 1, 1837, the village of Syracuse
gave consent to a right of way along Washington Street for the railroad. The station in Vanderbilt Square was used by this railroad as well as the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad
.
and serve Rome
, and so the Syracuse and Utica Direct Railroad
was chartered January 26, 1853, however, nothing of that line was ever built and the company was merged with the West Shore Railroad
and was acquired by the New York Central Railroad
in 1885 which served the same purpose as the direct line.
, first postmaster of the village of Syracuse
, who had given the village its name from the title of a poem, was president of the Syracuse and Utica Railroad. Charles B. Stebbens was vice-president. Vivus Smith served as the first secretary. As a result of their efforts, the railroad was headquartered in Syracuse
instead of Utica
, providing the village with an important industry.
Wilkinson, as president, ordered the construction of the first "flat car" for the line after passengers complained they needed a car in which they could carry purchases made in Syracuse back to Utica. This was the first "so-called" freight car in the nation, the forerunner of the modern freight business.
In 1853, directors of the company were John Stryker, Oliver Teall, Joel Rathbone, E. W. Leavenworth, Hamilton White, Holmes Hutchinson, Samuel French, D. Wager and Joseph Battell.
, Henry Clay
and Gerrit Smith
. At first, the building served its purpose very well, but soon became too cramped for convenience and the offices were "one by one removed to other quarters near by," where they remained until a new depot was constructed on Franklin Street.
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
. The full line opened July 3, 1839, extending the line further to 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 Rome, New York
Rome, New York
Rome is a city in Oneida County, New York, United States. It is located in north-central or "upstate" New York. The population was 44,797 at the 2010 census. It is in New York's 24th congressional district. In 1758, British forces began construction of Fort Stanwix at this strategic location, but...
(and further to Auburn, New York
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
via the already-opened Auburn and Syracuse Railroad
Auburn and Syracuse Railroad
The Auburn and Syracuse Railroad was incorporated on May 1, 1834 to provide easy access to and from Syracuse, New York and the Erie Canal. Construction was begun in 1835, however, was delayed during the Panic of 1837...
). The road was consolidated into the New York Central Railroad
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
in 1853.
History
This was the second railroad that was organized along a route from 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...
to Utica
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
. The route went through Oneida
Oneida, New York
Oneida is a city in Madison County located west of Oneida Castle and east of Canastota, New York, United States. The population was 10,987 at the 2000 census. The city, like both Oneida County and the nearby silver and china maker, takes its name from the Oneida tribe...
and Rome
Rome, New York
Rome is a city in Oneida County, New York, United States. It is located in north-central or "upstate" New York. The population was 44,797 at the 2010 census. It is in New York's 24th congressional district. In 1758, British forces began construction of Fort Stanwix at this strategic location, but...
, a distance of 53 miles (85.3 km).
On July 1, 1837, the village 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...
gave consent to a right of way along Washington Street for the railroad. The station in Vanderbilt Square was used by this railroad as well as the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad
Auburn and Syracuse Railroad
The Auburn and Syracuse Railroad was incorporated on May 1, 1834 to provide easy access to and from Syracuse, New York and the Erie Canal. Construction was begun in 1835, however, was delayed during the Panic of 1837...
.
Competition
This line was not direct, going out of its way to stay near the Erie CanalErie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
and serve Rome
Rome, New York
Rome is a city in Oneida County, New York, United States. It is located in north-central or "upstate" New York. The population was 44,797 at the 2010 census. It is in New York's 24th congressional district. In 1758, British forces began construction of Fort Stanwix at this strategic location, but...
, and so the Syracuse and Utica Direct Railroad
Syracuse and Utica Direct Railroad
The Syracuse and Utica Direct Railroad, chartered in 1853, a rival company to the Syracuse and Utica Railroad, threatened to build a line from Syracuse, New York to Utica by a more direct route, by way of Vernon. This reduced the total travel time from four hours to three and one-half hours...
was chartered January 26, 1853, however, nothing of that line was ever built and the company was merged with the West Shore Railroad
West Shore Railroad
The West Shore Railroad was the final name of a railroad from Weehawken, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City, north along the west shore of the river to Albany, New York and then west to Buffalo...
and was acquired by the New York Central Railroad
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
in 1885 which served the same purpose as the direct line.
Company management
John WilkinsonJohn Wilkinson (Syracuse pioneer)
John Wilkinson was a lawyer and first Postmaster of community known as Bogardus Corners, Cossit's Corners and Salina in Central New York. As a young man, Wilkinson took inspiration from a poem about an ancient city and named the new village, Syracuse just in time for the opening of the Erie Canal...
, first postmaster of the village 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...
, who had given the village its name from the title of a poem, was president of the Syracuse and Utica Railroad. Charles B. Stebbens was vice-president. Vivus Smith served as the first secretary. As a result of their efforts, the railroad was headquartered 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...
instead of Utica
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
, providing the village with an important industry.
Wilkinson, as president, ordered the construction of the first "flat car" for the line after passengers complained they needed a car in which they could carry purchases made in Syracuse back to Utica. This was the first "so-called" freight car in the nation, the forerunner of the modern freight business.
In 1853, directors of the company were John Stryker, Oliver Teall, Joel Rathbone, E. W. Leavenworth, Hamilton White, Holmes Hutchinson, Samuel French, D. Wager and Joseph Battell.
Syracuse depot
Daniel Elliott was the architect and builder of the Syracuse and Utica Railroad depot which was a "striking exhibition of architectural skill and beauty." The depot was occasionally used for political or village meetings and public addresses. Noted characters were frequently received there including Martin Van BurenMartin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States . Before his presidency, he was the eighth Vice President and the tenth Secretary of State, under Andrew Jackson ....
, Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
and Gerrit Smith
Gerrit Smith
Gerrit Smith was a leading United States social reformer, abolitionist, politician, and philanthropist...
. At first, the building served its purpose very well, but soon became too cramped for convenience and the offices were "one by one removed to other quarters near by," where they remained until a new depot was constructed on Franklin Street.
External links
- The Central New York Modelers.
- Oneida County Historical Society Year Book, Vol. 1 1881 pages 144 through 155. Transcribed by Richard Palmer - Street scene in Utica about 1850, thought to be the engine "Lightening".
