Fifth Ward Railroad

Fifth Ward Railroad
Overview
HeadquartersSyracuse, New York
LocaleSyracuse, New York, United States
Dates of operation1867–1890
SuccessorSyracuse Consolidated Street Railway
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The Fifth Ward Railroad was a horse-drawn street trolley line in Syracuse, New York,[1] 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.[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.[3]

The city railway extended from Railroad Street through Clinton, Walton, West, Gifford, Geddes and returning in a loop through Delaware, Holland and Niagara to Gifford Street, a total distance of 3.48 miles (5.60 km) in the city's Near Westside.[3] By 1875, the road extended from Washington Street to South Street and Geddes Street.[4]

  1. ^ "First Streetcars Operated Here in 1860". Syracuse Herald. Syracuse, New York. December 14, 1922.
  2. ^ Laws of the State of New York, Volume 1. New York State, 1868 p. 262. 1868. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Bruce, Dwight Hall. Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y., from its settlement to the present time. Electronic Library, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  4. ^ Boyd's Syracuse Boyd's City Directory 1875. Andrew Boyd, 1875.