Genesee and Water Street Railroad
| Locale | Syracuse, New York |
|---|---|
| Dates of operation | 1865–1890 |
| Successor | Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Headquarters | Syracuse, New York |
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. The firm also secured the franchise to operate cars in Westcott Street, to South Beech Street, Euclid Avenue, College Place, University Place, Walnut Avenue and Madison Street.
The road merged with Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway in 1890, after an agreement was made that allowed the new company to lease the lines.
The Genesee and Water Street Railroad was organized in September 1865, with $60,000 in capital by George E. Comstock, W. H. H. Smith, C. T. Longstreet, O. T. Burt and James P. Haskins.
The road was chartered on October 13, 1865, and was completed in 1866. It ultimately comprised the Fourth Ward Railroad and the Chestnut Street (now Crouse Avenue) branch, extending to the north boundary line of the campus of Syracuse University.
By 1875, the line commenced on the corner of South Salina Street and ran through Hanover Square and followed East Genesee Street through Beech to East Water Street. It also ran up James Street to Burnet Avenue, and from there ran through Catherine, Green, Lodi and Butternut Street and from Chestnut Street (now Crouse Avenue) to University. The business office was located at 2 Onondaga Country Savings Bank Building.
In 1879, the company offices were located at No. 1 Onondaga County Savings Bank Building.
During 1890, the company employed both 47 pound rail and had 12 rail cars and 60 horses. They also owned three snow plows.
Officers of the company in 1875 included Robert G. Wynkoop, president; William H. H. Smith, vice-president; George J. Gardner, secretary and treasurer; and William Hart, superintendent. The executive committee included D. P. Wood, R. G. Wynkoop, J. D. Bridges and W. K. Rose.
During 1890, F. S. Wicks was president; D. P. Wood was vice-president; George J. Gardner was secretary and treasurer; and W. J. Hart was superintendent.
At the time of establishment, the rail had funded debt at 6 percent and capital of $60,000.
The Syracuse Consolidated Street Railway was chartered in 1890 in Syracuse and on July 1, 1890, the new company leased, in perpetuity, several street railroads in the city including the Genesee and Water Street Railroad as well as the Third Ward Railway, Fourth Ward Railroad, Fifth Ward Railroad, Seventh Ward Railroad, Eleventh Ward Railroad, Syracuse and Geddes Railway, Woodlawn and Butternut Street Railway and New Brighton and Onondaga Valley Railroad. The rail ran a total distance of 24 miles (39 km) and had branches every 3 miles (4.8 km). At that time, the Genesee and Water Street Railroad ceased to exist.
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