The Greatest Highway In The World
New York Central Railroad Company
59 chapters
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59 chapters
THE GREATEST HIGHWAY IN THE WORLD
THE GREATEST HIGHWAY IN THE WORLD
Historical, Industrial and Descriptive Information of the Towns, Cities and Country passed through between New York and Chicago via The New York Central Lines Illustrated Based on the Encyclopaedia Britannica  ...
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Foreword
Foreword
In furtherance of giving the utmost service to the public, the New York Central Lines asked the editors of the Encyclopædia Britannica to prepare this booklet descriptive of and vivifying the historical development of what has been termed "The Greatest Highway in the World." It is presented to you in the hope that it may prove a pleasant companion on a journey over our Lines. The information will afford a new appreciation of the historical significance and industrial importance of the cities, to
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NEW YORK, Pop. 5,261,151. Grand Central Terminal.
NEW YORK, Pop. 5,261,151. Grand Central Terminal.
(Train 51 leaves 8:31; No. 3 , 8:46; No. 41 , 1:01 ; No. 25 , 2:46 ; No. 19 , 5:31 . Eastbound: train 6 arrives 9:22; No. 26 , 9:40; No. 16 , 4:00 ; No. 22 , 5:25 .)[1] [1. Throughout this handbook the time is given at which trains are scheduled to leave or pass through the cities or towns mentioned. From New York to Chicago, Train No. 51 is the Empire State Express; No. 3, the Chicago Express; No. 41, The Number Forty-one; No. 25, the Twentieth Century, and No. 19, the Lake Shore Limited. In th
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4 M. HARLEM STATION (125th St.).
4 M. HARLEM STATION (125th St.).
(Train 51 passes 8:41; No 3 , 8:57; No. 41 , 1:12 ; No. 25 , 2:56 ; No. 19 , 5:41 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 9:11; No. 26 9:29; No. 16 , 3:49 ; No. 22 , 5:25 .) Old Harlem was "Nieuw Haerlem," a settlement established in 1658 by Gov. Peter Stuyvesant in the northeastern part of Manhattan Island. It existed for 200 years but is now lost under modern Harlem, which centers about 125th St. In this neighborhood to the west occurred the battle of Harlem Heights—a lively skirmish fought Sept. 16, 1776,
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11 M. SPUYTEN DUYVIL.
11 M. SPUYTEN DUYVIL.
(Train 51 passes 8:51; No. 3 , 9:09; No. 41 , 1:23 ; No. 25 , 3:06 ; No. 19 , 5:53 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 8:57; No. 26 , 9:17; No. 16 , 3:37 ; No. 22 , 5:02 .) Spuyten Duyvil is situated on Spuyten Duyvil Creek, celebrated by Washington Irving, which connects the Harlem and Hudson Rivers. In recent years the creek has been enlarged into a ship canal. The town and stream receive their curious name from the following story, according to Irving. In 1664, when the Dutch were being threatened by t
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15 M. YONKERS, Pop. 100,226.
15 M. YONKERS, Pop. 100,226.
(Train 51 passes 8:56; No. 3 , 9:15; No. 41 , 1:29 ; No. 25 , 3:11 ; No. 19 , 5:59 . Eastbound No. 6 passes 8:52; No. 26 , 9:12; No. 16 , 3:31 , No. 22 , 4:56 .) When the Dutch founded New Netherlands, the present site of Yonkers was occupied by an Indian village, known as Nappeckamack, or "town of the rapid water," and a great rock near the mouth of the Nepperhan creek (to the north of the station) was long a place of Indian Worship. In the early days, the Hudson River Valley from Manhattan to
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20 M. DOBBS FERRY, Pop. 4,401.
20 M. DOBBS FERRY, Pop. 4,401.
(Train 51 passes 8:58; No. 3 , 9:23; No. 41 , 1:37 ; No. 25 , 3:18 ; No. 19, 6:07 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 8:45; No. 26 , 9:05; No. 16 , 3:23 ; No. 22, 4:48 .) About the time of the Revolutionary War, a Swede named Jeremiah Dobbs, established a ferry here connecting with the northern end of the Palisades (visible on the left across the river). Originally only a dugout or skiff, it was the first ferry north of Manhattan, and was kept up by the Dobbs family for a century. In times past the reside
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22 M. IRVINGTON, Pop. 2,701.
22 M. IRVINGTON, Pop. 2,701.
(Train 51 passes 9:06; No. 3 , 9:25; No. 41 , 1:39 ; No. 25 , 3:21 ; No. 19 , 6:11 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 8:43; No. 26 , 9:03; No. 16 , 3:21 ; No. 22 , 4:46 .) "Sunnyside," a stone building "as full of angles and corners as a cocked hat"* and situated behind a screen of trees a little north of the station, was the home of Washington Irving, for whom the town was named. First erected by Wolfert Acker in 1656, it was considerably enlarged by Irving in 1835. War and Merchant Ships of Revolutiona
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24½ M. TARRYTOWN, Pop. 5,807.
24½ M. TARRYTOWN, Pop. 5,807.
(Train 51 passes 9:08; No. 3 , 9:27; No. 41 , 1:41 ; No. 25 , 3:23 ; No. 19 , 6:13 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 8:40; No. 26 , 9:00; No. 16 , 3:18 ; No. 22 , 4:43 .) Situated on a sloping hill that rises to a considerable height above the Tappan Zee, historic Tarrytown stands on the site of an Indian village, Alipoonk (place of elms), burned by the Dutch in 1644. Irving explains that the housewives of the countryside gave the town its name because their husbands were inclined to linger at the villa
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30 M. OSSINING, Pop. 10,739.
30 M. OSSINING, Pop. 10,739.
(Train 51 passes 9:15; No. 3 , 9:34; No. 41 , 1:48 ; No. 25 , 3:30 ; No. 19, 6:21 . Eastbound: No. 6 , passes 8:34; No. 26 , 8:54; No. 16 , 3:11 ; No. 22 , 4:36 .) Ossining was first settled in 1700, when it was part of Philipse Manor. It was originally called Sing Sing, taking its name from the Sin Sinck Indians, but in 1901 the name was changed to Ossining, on account of its association with the Sing Sing prison, which can be seen to the left near the water's edge. The prison is a low white-ma
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40½ M. PEEKSKILL, Pop. 15,868.
40½ M. PEEKSKILL, Pop. 15,868.
(Train 51 passes 9:36; No. 3 , 9:55; No. 41 , 2:09 ; No. 25 , 3:50 ; No. 19 , 6:43 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 8:13; No. 26 , 8:33; No. 16 , 2:47 ; No. 22 , 4:14 .) Peekskill means Peek's creek, and was named from the Dutch mariner, Jans Peek, who established a trading post here in 1760. It will be noticed that the Hudson turns abruptly to the left at this point, while the creek branches off to the right. According to tradition, the adventurous Jans, who had been voyaging up the Hudson, became con
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49 M. WEST POINT (Garrison).
49 M. WEST POINT (Garrison).
(Train 51 passes 9:46; No. 3 , 10:04; No. 41 , 2:19 ; No. 25 , 4:00 ; No. 19 , 6:55 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 8:01; No. 26 , 8:20; No. 16 , 2:34 ; No. 22 , 4:00 .) Across the river from Garrison, the imposing buildings of West Point, the "Gibraltar of the Hudson," come into view. The name "West Point" properly belongs to the village located here, but in ordinary usage it refers to the U.S. Military Academy,* America's training school for officers, which at the present time has about 1,000 cadets
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58 M. BEACON, Pop. 10,996 & NEWBURGH, Pop. 30,366.
58 M. BEACON, Pop. 10,996 & NEWBURGH, Pop. 30,366.
(Train 51 passes 9:56; No. 3 , 10:17; No. 41 , 2:29 ; No. 25 , 4:10 ; No. 19 , 7:06 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 7:50 ; No. 26 8:09; No. 16 , 2:22 ; No. 22 , 3:48 .) Beacon was incorporated in May, 1913, by merging the villages of Matteawan and Fishkill Landing, the latter of which lay closer to the west. The first settlement in the township was made in 1690. During the Revolutionary War it was an important military base for the Northern Continental Army. At Fishkill Landing on May 13, 1783, Gen. K
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73 M. POUGHKEEPSIE, Pop. 35,000.
73 M. POUGHKEEPSIE, Pop. 35,000.
(Train 51 passes 10:14; No. 3 , 10:38; No. 41 , 2:48 ; No. 25 , 4:27 ; No. 19 , 7:24 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 7:32; No. 26 , 7:51; No. 16 , 2:02 ; No. 22 , 3:29 .) Poughkeepsie was the Apokeepsing of the Indians—"the pleasant and safe harbour" made by the rocky bluffs projecting into the river, where canoes were sheltered from wind and wave. The city is built partly on terraces rising 200 ft. above the river, and partly on the level plateau above. Poughkeepsie was settled by the Dutch in 1698.
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88 M. RHINECLIFF, Pop. 1,300.
88 M. RHINECLIFF, Pop. 1,300.
(Train 51 passes at 10:32; No. 3 , 10:56; No. 41 , 3:07 ; No. 25 , 4:46 ; No. 19 , 9:39 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 7:13; No. 26 , 7:31; No. 16 , 1:37 ; No. 22 , 3:09 .) Across the river from Rhinecliff is Kingston (Pop. 26,688), most of which lies on a plateau 150 ft. above the river. Rondout, once a separate town, is now a part of the city of Kingston, the center of which lies 3 M. inland. To the northwest is the noble scenery of the Catskills, to the southwest are the Shawangunk Mts. and Lake M
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109 M. GREENDALE, Pop. 1,650.
109 M. GREENDALE, Pop. 1,650.
(Train 51 passes 10:54; No. 3 , 11:19; No. 41 , 3:32 ; No. 25 , 5:08 ; No. 19, 8:10 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 6:49; No. 26 , 7:09; No. 16 , 1:07 ; No. 22 , 2:44 .) From Greendale a very fine view is obtained of the noble scenery of the Catskill Mountains. The village of Catskill (Pop. 4,461) across the river, was at one time the only point of entrance for visitors to the mountains—now reached chiefly by railway from Kingston. Catskill Station, however, is still a point of departure for this favo
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114 M. HUDSON, Pop. 11,745.
114 M. HUDSON, Pop. 11,745.
(Train 51 passes 11:00; No. 3 , 11:26; No. 41 , 3:37 ; No. 25 , 5:14 ; No. 19 , 8:16 . Eastbound No. 6 passes 6:44; No. 26 , 7:04; No. 16 , 1:02 ; No. 22, 2:39 .) Hudson, picturesquely situated on the slope of a hill and commanding a fine view of the river and the Catskill Mts., was originally known as Claverack Landing, and for many years it was nothing more than a landing with two rude wharfs and two small storehouses, to which the farmers in the neighborhood brought their produce for shipment
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130 M. SCHODACK LANDING, Pop. 1,215.
130 M. SCHODACK LANDING, Pop. 1,215.
(Train 51 passes 11:17 ; No. 3 , 11:45 ; No. 41 , 3:55 ; No. 25 , 5:30 ; No. 19 , 8:37 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 6:24 ; No. 26 , 6:45 ; No. 16 , 12:41 ; No. 22 , 2:20 .) Schodack was the Dutch rendering of the Indian word "Esquatack," meaning "the fireplace of the nation." The island opposite the station was the site of the first council fire of the Mohican Indians, who were grouped about their "fire place" in 40 villages. They inhabited the Hudson Valley and their domain extended into Mass. In
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142 M. RENSSELAER, Pop, 10,823.
142 M. RENSSELAER, Pop, 10,823.
(Train 51 passes 11:30; No. 3 , 12:02 ; No. 41 , 4:12 ; No. 25 , 5:44 ; No. 19 , 8:53 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 6:00; No. 26 , 6:32; No. 16 , 12:27 ; No. 22 , 2:07 .) Rensselaer, originally called Greenbush, lies directly across from Albany. It was first settled in 1631 and the site formed part of a large tract of land bought from the Indians by agents of Killiaen Van Rensselaer. On the lower edge of the town Ft. Cralo,* built in 1642 for protection against the Indians, still stands; the fort ha
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142 M. ALBANY, Pop. 113,344.
142 M. ALBANY, Pop. 113,344.
(Train 51 passes 11:32; No, 3 , 12:05 ; No. 41 , 4:15 ; No. 25 , 5:46 ; No. 19 , 8:55 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 5:58; No. 26 ,6:30; No. 16 , 12:25 ; No. 22 , 2:05 .) Across the river from Rensselaer on sharply mounting hills is the city of Albany. We cross the river by a suspension bridge, passing over Rensselaer Island and seeing ahead of us the handsome new freight houses of the D. & H.R.R., and to right and left the boats of the Hudson River Steamship lines lying against the wharves.
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159 M. SCHENECTADY, Pop. 88,723.
159 M. SCHENECTADY, Pop. 88,723.
(Train 51 passes 11:57; No. 3 , 12:47 ; No. 41 , 4:57 ; No. 25 , 6:12 ; No. 19 , 9:32 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 5:24; No. 26 , 5:56; No. 16 , 11:35; No. 22 , 1:24 .) At this point we first enter the historic Mohawk Valley, and on this site, according to tradition, once stood the chief village of the Mohawk Indians. The Mohawk River rises in Lewis County (northwestern N.Y.), flows south to Rome, then east to the Hudson River which it enters at Cohoes. It is 160 miles long. There are rapids and fa
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175 M. AMSTERDAM, Pop. 33,524.
175 M. AMSTERDAM, Pop. 33,524.
(Train 51 passes 12:15 ; No. 3 , 1:12 ; No. 41 , 5:20 ; No. 25 , 6:30 ; No. 19 , 9:52 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 5:07; No. 26 , 5:39; No. 16 , 11:10; No. 22 , 1:03 .) Sir William Johnson (1715-1774) Sir William Johnson (1715-1774) Sir William was a remarkable figure in early N.Y. history. He is said to have been the father of 100 children, chiefly by native mothers, either young squaws or wives of Indians who thought it an honor to surrender them to the king's agent. According to an early histori
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178 M. FORT JOHNSON, Pop. 680.
178 M. FORT JOHNSON, Pop. 680.
(Train 51 passes 12:18 ; No. 3 , 1:15 ; No. 41 , 5:23 ; No. 25 , 6:33 ; No. 19 , 9:56 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 5:03; No. 26 , 5:36; No. 16 , 11:03; No. 22 , 12:59 .) This village is named for the house* and fort erected here in 1742, by Sir William Johnson, one of the most remarkable of the early pioneers. Sir William Johnson (1715-1774) distinguished himself not only for the prosperous settlements which he built up along the valley of the Mohawk, but also for his military ability and his remar
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181 M. TRIBES HILL, Pop. 900.
181 M. TRIBES HILL, Pop. 900.
(Train 51 passes 12:21 ; No. 3 , 1:18 ; No. 41 , 5:27 ; No. 25 , 6:36 ; No. 19 , 10:00 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 5:00; No. 26 , 5:33; No. 16 , 11:00; No. 22 , 12:56 .) Tribes Hill received its name from the fact that it was an old meeting place of the Indians. Across the river, in the estuary at the junction of Schoharie Creek with the Mohawk, once stood Ft. Hunter, which was the lower Mohawk castle, the upper castle being at Canajoharie. Father Isaac Jogues Father Isaac Jogues Isaac Jogues (160
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186 M. FONDA, Pop. 747.
186 M. FONDA, Pop. 747.
(Train 51 passes 12:27 ; No. 3 , 1:25 ; No. 41 , 5:39 ; No. 25 , 6:42 ; No. 19 , 10:05 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 4:55; No. 26 , 5.28; No. 16 , 10:55; No. 22 , 12:51 .) The town of Fonda was named for Jelles Fonda, said to have been the first merchant west of Schenectady. Fonda established a prosperous store here about 1760, and his old accounts (still preserved) disclose that he had among his customers "Young Baron of the Hill," "Wide Mouth Jacob," "Young Moses," "Snuffers David," and the "Squin
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197 M. CANAJOHARIE (Palatine Bridge), Pop. 2,415.
197 M. CANAJOHARIE (Palatine Bridge), Pop. 2,415.
(Train 51 passes 12:40 ; No. 3 , 1:39 ; No. 41 , 5:55 ; No. 25 , 7:43 ; No. 19 , 10:20 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 4:42; No. 26 , 5:45; No. 16 , 10:44; No. 22 12:36 .) Passing the villages of Yosts and Sprakers we arrive in the town of Canajoharie, which in early days was the site of the upper Mohawk castle. The upper Mohawk castle, sometimes called Ft. Canajoharie, was described by an early writer as consisting of "a square of 4 bastions of upright pickets joined with lintels 15 ft. high and abou
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216 M. LITTLE FALLS, Pop. 13,029.
216 M. LITTLE FALLS, Pop. 13,029.
(Train 51 passes 12:58 ; No. 6 , 1:59 ; No. 41 , 6:17 ; No. 25 , 7:14 ; No. 19 , 10:39 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 4:22; No. 26 , 4:55; No. 16 , 10:22; No. 22 , 12:16 .) Our route here lies through a ravine cut by the Mohawk River through a spur of the Adirondack Mts. The town is picturesquely situated on the sides of the gorge overlooking the rapids and falls. The Mohawk here descends 45 ft. in ½ M. In the gorge, there are crystalline rocks which are of interest as belonging to the Laurentian for
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223 M. HERKIMER, Pop. 10,453.
223 M. HERKIMER, Pop. 10,453.
(Train 51 passes 1:07 ; No. 3 , 2:06 ; No. 41 , 6:25 ; No. 25 , 7:22 ; No. 19, 10:47 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 4:15; No. 26 , 4:49; No. 16 , 10:12; No. 22 , 12:08 .) Herkimer was settled about 1725 by Palatine Germans, who bought from the Mohawk Indians a large tract of land, including the present site of the village. They established several settlements which became known collectively as "German Flats." These settlers came from the Palatinate, a province of the kingdom of Bavaria, lying west of
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225 M. ILION, Pop. 10,169.
225 M. ILION, Pop. 10,169.
(Train 51 passes 1:10 ; No. 3 , 2:10 ; No. 41 , 6:29 ; No. 25 , 7:25 ; No. 19 , 10:51 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 4:12; No. 26 , 4:46; No. 16 , 10:07; No. 22 , 12:05 .) This village, the main part of which is situated on the south bank of the Mohawk, owed its origin to a settlement made here in 1725 by Palatine Germans, but the village as such really dates from the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. In 1828 Eliphalet Remington (1793-1861) established here a small factory for the manufacture of
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237 M. UTICA, Pop. 94,156.
237 M. UTICA, Pop. 94,156.
(Train 51 passes 1:22 ; No. 3 , 2:31 ; No. 41 , 6:42 ; No. 25 , 7:41 ; No. 19 , 11:08 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 3:57; No. 26 , 4:31; No. 16 , 9:53; No. 22 , 11:50.) The territory on which Utica is built was originally part of the 22,000 acre tract granted in 1734 by George II. to William Cosby (1695-1736), colonial governor of New York in 1732-36, and his associates. It was then known as Cosby's Manor. Washington and Genesee Streets, Utica, in 1835 Washington and Genesee Streets, Utica, in 1835
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244 M. ORISKANY, Pop. 1,101.
244 M. ORISKANY, Pop. 1,101.
(Train 51 passes 1:30 ; No. 3 , 2:39 ; No. 41 , 6:56 ; No. 25 , 7:49 ; No. 25 , 11:17 . Eastbound No. 6 passes 3:36; No. 26 , 4:21; No. 16, 9:36; No. 22 , 11:32.) The battle of Oriskany, an important minor engagement of the Revolutionary War, was fought in a little ravine about 2 M. west of Oriskany, Aug. 6, 1777. Two days before, Gen. Nicholas Herkimer had gathered about 800 militiamen at Ft. Dayton (on the site of the present city of Herkimer) for the relief of Ft. Schuyler which was being bes
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251 M. ROME. Pop. 26,341.
251 M. ROME. Pop. 26,341.
(Train 51 passes 1:37 ; No. 3 , 2:47 ; No. 41 , 7:07 ; No. 25 , 7:57 ; No. 19 , 11:23 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 3:28; No. 26 , 4:15; No. 16 , 9:28; No. 22 , 11:24.) The portage at this place, between the Mohawk River and Wood Creek (to the northwest), which are about a mile apart, gave the site its Indian name, De-i-wain-sta, "place where canoes are carried from one stream to another," and its earliest English name, "The Great (or Oneida) Carrying Place." Its location made it of strategic value
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264 M. ONEIDA, Pop. 10,541.
264 M. ONEIDA, Pop. 10,541.
(Train 51 passes 1:53 ; No. 3 , 3:05 ; No. 41 , 7:25 ; No. 25 , 8:12 ; No. 19 , 11:42 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 3:15; No. 26 , 4:02; No. 16 , 9:11; No. 22 , 11:10.) The city of Oneida is comparatively modern, but the village of Oneida Castle across the river to the south dates back to the time when this was the chief settlement of the Oneida Indians, who moved here about 1600 from the site of what is now Stockbridge in the same county. Samuel de Champlain Samuel de Champlain Samuel de Champlain
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290 M. SYRACUSE, Pop. 171,717.
290 M. SYRACUSE, Pop. 171,717.
(Train 51 passes 2:31 ; No. 3 , 3:45 ; No. 41 , 8:10 ; No. 25 , 8:50 ; No. 19 , 12:25 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 2:40; No. 26 , 3:28; No. 16 , 8:30; No. 22 , 10:35.) The Syracuse region first became known to Europeans through its salt deposits along the shore of Onondaga Lake which had been discovered and used by the Indians. Champlain's Attack on an Iroquois Fort Champlain's Attack on an Iroquois Fort ( From Champlain's "Nouvelle France," 1619 ) Of this Indian fort which stood near Lake Oneida,
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348 M. PALMYRA, Pop. 2,480.
348 M. PALMYRA, Pop. 2,480.
(Train 51 passes 3:38 ; No. 3 , 4:57 ; No. 41 , 9:30 ; No. 25 , 9:56 ; No. 19 , 1:42. Eastbound No. 6 passes 1:25; No. 26 , 2:17; No. 16 , 6:46; No. 22 , 9:14.) The town of Palmyra is intimately connected with the early history of the Mormons or "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the founder, lived a few miles south of Palmyra at the village of Manchester near which, in the "hill of Cumorah," he said he found the plates of gold upon which was inscribed the b
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370 M. ROCHESTER, Pop. 295,750.
370 M. ROCHESTER, Pop. 295,750.
(Train 51 passes 4:05 ; No. 3 , 5:25 ; No. 41 , 9:56 ; No. 25 , 10:23 ; No. 19 , 2:11 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 12:59; No. 26 , 1:51; No. 16 , 6:18; No. 22 , 8:47.) Rochester is built around the Falls of the Genesee River, about 7 M. above the place where the river empties into Lake Ontario. Rochester in 1812 Rochester in 1812 Settlers from New England made a clearing at the site of Rochester about 1810, but growth was slow until the railroad—now the New York Central—was built connecting it with
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403 M. BATAVIA, Pop. 13,541.
403 M. BATAVIA, Pop. 13,541.
(Train 51 passes 4:45 ; No. 3 , 6:18 ; No. 41 , 10:45 ; No. 25 , 11:04 ; No. 19 , 3:03. Eastbound: No. 6 passes 12:17; No. 26 , 1:12; No. 16 , 5:32; No. 22 , 8:04.) Batavia, situated on Tonawanda Creek, was laid out in 1801 by Joseph Ellicott (1760-1826), the engineer who had been engaged in surveying the land known as the "Holland Purchase" of which Batavia was a part. The so-called "Holland Purchase" comprised nearly all the land in Western N.Y. west of the Genesee River. Its history is associ
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439 M. BUFFALO, Pop. 506,775.
439 M. BUFFALO, Pop. 506,775.
(Train 51 arrives 5:30 ; No. 3 , passes 7:15 ; No. 41 , 11:45 ; No. 25 , 11:51 ; No. 19 , 3:55. Eastbound: No. 6 passes 11:31 ; No. 26 , 12:27; No. 16 , 4:35; No. 22 , 7:15.) French trappers and Jesuit missionaries were the first white men to visit the site of Buffalo, and near here, on the east bank of the Niagara River at the mouth of Cayuga Creek, La Salle in 1679 built the "Griffin," with which he sailed up the Great Lakes to Green Bay, Wis. He also built Ft. Conti at the mouth of the river,
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Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls.
Of the seven natural wonders of the American world, which are given as Yellowstone Park, Garden of the Gods, Mammoth Cave, Niagara Falls, the Natural Bridge, Yosemite Valley, and the Giant Trees of California, by far the greatest spectacle is Niagara. The name means "thunder of the waters," and was given by the early Indians who regarded the falls with a quite comprehensible religious awe. Today there are more than a million and a half visitors annually. Probably the first white man to discover
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510 M. DUNKIRK, Pop. 19,366.
510 M. DUNKIRK, Pop. 19,366.
(Train 3 passes 8:23 ; No. 41 , 1:00; No. 25 , 12:45; No. 19 , 4:57. Eastbound: No. 6 passes 10:24 ; No. 26 , 11:26 ; No. 16 , 3:10; No. 22 , 6:08.) Dunkirk, settled about 1805, has a fine harbour and extensive lake trade, and lies, moreover, in fertile agricultural and grape-growing country. The property of the town, assessed at $10,000,000 is chiefly in factories producing locomotives, radiators and other steel and iron products, wagons, silk gloves, and concrete blocks. There are several plea
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557 M. ERIE, Pop. 93,372.
557 M. ERIE, Pop. 93,372.
(Train 3 passes 9:30 ; No. 41 , 2:06; No. 25 , 1:36; No. 19 , 5:59. Eastbound No. 6 passes 9:25 ; No. 26 , 10:30 ; No. 16 , 2:03; No. 22 , 5:08.) Erie stands on the site of the old French fort Presque Isle, built in 1753 and surrounded by a village of a few hundred inhabitants. Although Washington protested on behalf of the Governor of Va. against the French occupation of this territory, it remained in French hands until 1758 when an epidemic of small-pox broke out, making the fort untenable. Tw
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584 M. CONNEAUT, Pop. 9,000.
584 M. CONNEAUT, Pop. 9,000.
(Train 3 passes 10:08 ; No. 41 , 2:39; No. 25 , 2:04; No. 19 , 6:34. Eastbound: No. 6 passes 8:50 ; No. 26 , 9:59 ; No. 16 , 1:20; No. 22 , 4:32.) The first permanent settlement was made here in 1799 though a preliminary surveying party composed of Moses Cleaveland, the founder of the city of Cleveland, and 50 associates, two of whom were women, had arrived in 1796 and found 20 or 30 cabins of the Massauga tribe. In his journal Cleaveland gives a description of the arrival here, "on the creek Co
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595 M. ASHTABULA, Pop. 22,082.
595 M. ASHTABULA, Pop. 22,082.
(Train 3 passes 10:29 ; No. 41 , 3:06; No. 25 , 2:19; No. 19 , 6:50. Eastbound: No. 6 passes 8:34 ; No. 26 , 9:44 ; No. 16 , 1:00; No. 22 , 4:16.) Settlers were attracted to the site of the present town of Ashtabula (an Indian word said to mean "fish river") in 1801 by the excellent harbour here, formed by the mouth of the Ashtabula River. The city is built on the high bank of the river about 75 ft. above the lake and commands some fine views. There are large green-houses under glass from which
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602 M. GENEVA, Pop. 3,081.
602 M. GENEVA, Pop. 3,081.
(Train 3 passes, 10:42 ; No. 41 , 3:18; No. 25 , 2:29; No. 19 , 7:03. Eastbound: No. 6 passes 8:22 ; No. 26 , 9:32 ; No. 16 , 12:39; No. 22 , 4:02.) Geneva is built close to the site of the early Indian village Kanadasaga, burnt in 1779. In that year Gen. Sullivan was despatched at the head of an expedition against the Indians of Western N.Y., who had taken up arms for the British and had been guilty of the terrible Wyoming and Cherry Valley massacres. Kanadasaga was one of the Indian "council h
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622 M. PAINESVILLE, Pop. 7,272.
622 M. PAINESVILLE, Pop. 7,272.
(Train 3 passes, 11:06 ; No. 41 , 3:40; No. 25 , 2:46; No. 19 , 7:27. Eastbound: No. 6 passes 8:05 ; No. 26 , 9:16 ; No. 16 , 12:18; No. 22 , 3:43.) Painesville was founded in 1800 by settlers from Conn. and N.Y., the chief among whom was Gen. Edward Paine (1745-1841), an ex-officer of the Continental Army. It contains one of the early women's colleges of the country—Lake Erie College, founded in 1859 as the successor to Willoughby Seminary at Willoughby, Ohio, the buildings of which were burned
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623 M. CLEVELAND, Pop. 796,836.
623 M. CLEVELAND, Pop. 796,836.
(Train 3 passes 11:55 ; No. 41 , 4:35; No. 25 ,3:30; No. 19 , 8:20. Eastbound: No. 6 passes 7:20 ; No. 26 , 8:35 ; No. 16 , 11:30 ; No. 22 , 2:56.) A trading post was established on the present site of Cleveland as early as 1785 and ten years later Capt. Moses Cleaveland, leader of a small band of pioneers and agent of the Connecticut Land Co., surveyed the ground and planted the nucleus of the present thriving city—now fifth in size in the country. Capt. Cleaveland, in travelling from Connectic
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673 M. ELYRIA, Pop. 20,474.
673 M. ELYRIA, Pop. 20,474.
(Train 3 passes 12:52; No. 41 , 5:27; No. 25 , 4:07; No. 19 , 9:12. Eastbound: No. 6 passes 6:22 ; No. 26 , 7:57 ; No. 16 , 10:34 ; No. 22 , 2:04.) Elyria was founded about 1819 by Herman Ely in whose honour it was named. Ely came from West Springfield, Mass., built a cabin on the site of the present town, and later erected the first frame house in the township. The city lies at the junction of the two forks of the Black River, each of which falls about 50 feet here, furnishing considerable wate
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704 M. SANDUSKY, Pop. 22,897.
704 M. SANDUSKY, Pop. 22,897.
(Train 3 passes 1:35; No. 41 , 6:12; No. 25 , 4:44; No. 19 , 9:55. Eastbound: No. 6 passes 5:38 ; No. 26 , 7:13 ; No. 16 , 9:45 ; No. 22 , 1:16.) English traders visited Sandusky Bay, upon which the city of Sandusky is situated, as early as 1748, and by 1763 a fort had been erected for protection against the French and Indians. On May 16th of that year, during the Pontiac rising, the Wyandot Indians burned the fort. A permanent settlement was established in 1817. At the entrance to Sandusky Bay
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757 M. TOLEDO, Pop. 243,109.
757 M. TOLEDO, Pop. 243,109.
(Train 3 passes 2:45; No. 41 , 7:25; No. 25 , 5:45; No. 19 , 11:05. Eastbound: No. 6 passes 3:35 ; No. 26 , 5:15 ; No. 16 , 7:30 ; No. 22 , 11:08 .)[2] [2. Note that westbound trains here change to Central time; while eastbound trains change to Eastern time at next station (Sandusky).] Toledo was built on the site of Ft. Industry, erected in 1800. It lies within an immense tract of land, constituting several reservations bought by the U.S. government from several Indian tribes in 1795. Upon that
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880 M. GOSHEN, Pop. 9,525.
880 M. GOSHEN, Pop. 9,525.
(Train 3 passes 4:4(9?); No. 41 , 9:45; No. 25 , 2:07; No. 19 , 12:52 . Eastbound; No. 6 passes 1:06 ; No. 26 , 2:59 ; No. 16 , 4:28 ; No. 22 , 8:32 .) Situated on the Elkhart River, Goshen was first settled about 1828 by pioneers from New England. It is the seat of Goshen College, the only Mennonite institution of higher education in the U.S. The college was founded as Elkhart Institute in Elkhart in 1895, and was removed to Goshen in 1903. The Mennonites are a religious body who nominally foll
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900 M. ELKHART, Pop. 24,277.
900 M. ELKHART, Pop. 24,277.
(Train 3 passes 5:00; No. 41 , 10:05; No. 25 , 7:21; No. 19 , 1:10 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes at 12:50 ; No. 26 , 2:45 ; No. 16 , 4:10 ; No. 22 , 8:15 .) Elkhart, originally "Elkheart" (the translation of an Indian word), is so named by the Indians from the shape of an island, near the centre of the city, formed by the junction of the two rivers, the St. Joe and the Elkhart, which make many turns and windings here. There are several parks, in one of which, McNaughton Park, a Chautauqua assembly i
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915 M. SOUTH BEND, Pop. 70,983.
915 M. SOUTH BEND, Pop. 70,983.
(Train 3 passes 5:30; No. 41 , 10:38; No. 25 , 7:45; No. 19 , 1:43 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 12:20 ; No. 26 , 2:22 ; No. 16 , 3:32 ; No. 22 , 7:45 .) South Bend is situated on the St. Joseph River. Just north of the city is the portage between the St. Joseph and the Kankakee Rivers, by means of which Père Marquette in 1675 and La Salle in 1679 made their way into what is now the state of Illinois. This portage was part of the long land and water highway by which the mound-builders in pre-histori
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942 M. LA PORTE, Pop. 15,158.
942 M. LA PORTE, Pop. 15,158.
(Train 3 passes 6:06; No. 41 , 11:22; No. 25 , 8:17; No. 19 , 2:22 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 11:46; No. 26 , 1:53 ; No. 16 , 2:57 ; No. 22 , 7:07 .) The name La Porte, which in French means "door" or "gate," took its origin from a natural opening through the timber that here interrupted the wide stretch of prairie. The main street of the town is built on an old Indian trail between Detroit and points in Illinois. La Porte was first settled in 1830. It is situated in the heart of a region of beau
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975 M. GARY, Pop. 55,378.
975 M. GARY, Pop. 55,378.
(Train 3 passes 6:47; No. 41 , 12:06 ; No. 25 , 8:55; No. 19 , 3:08 . Eastbound: No. 6 passes 11:06; No. 26 , 1:17 ; No. 16 , 2:12 ; No. 22 , 6:23 .) The city of Gary was built to order. Fifteen years ago the site of the present town was nothing but a waste of sand-dunes and swamps intersected from east to west by the Grand Calumet and Little Calumet Rivers. In 1906 the United States Steel Corporation broke ground here for a series of enormous foundries and factories, first laying sewers, water
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1001 M. CHICAGO, Pop. 2,701,705.
1001 M. CHICAGO, Pop. 2,701,705.
(Train 3 arrives 7:40; No. 41 , 1:00 ; No. 25 , 9:45; No. 19 , 4:00 . Eastbound: No. 6 leaves 10:25; No. 26 , 12:40 ; No. 16 , 1:30 ; No. 22 , 5:30 .) The old Chicago portage was used by the Indians in travelling by canoe from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi and then to the Gulf of Mexico, long before any white man had visited the site of the present city on the shore of Lake Michigan. The portage connected the Chicago River, then flowing into Lake Michigan, with the Des Plaines River, flowin
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North Side
North Side
Lincoln Park: Academy of Sciences Museum; botanical conservatories and a zoological garden with a splendid Lion House. Also the fine Saint Gaudens Statue of Lincoln at the entrance and other monuments in the park. Chicago Historical Society Library and Collection, Dearborn Ave. and Ontario St.; an interesting collection of historic relics and documents. The Municipal pier, at the foot of Grand Ave., built by the city at a cost of $4,000,000; devoted to recreational activities as well as to comme
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South Side
South Side
Life Saving Station at the mouth of the Chicago River. Tablet marking site of Ft. Dearborn, River St., opposite the old Rush St. Bridge. Crerar Library, East Randolph St., a reference library devoted chiefly to scientific subjects; open to the public. Board of Trade, La Salle and Jackson Sts.; visitors may obtain admission to gallery overlooking the famous wheat pit. Auditorium hotel and theatre building, Michigan Ave. at Congress St.; view of city from tower. The Coliseum building, 16th St. and
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West Side
West Side
The "Ghetto" District on South Canal, Jefferson, and Maxwell Sts.; Fish Market on Jefferson St. from 12th St. to Maxwell. Hull House, 800 South Halsted St. This famous settlement house was established in 1899 by Miss Jane Addams; who became head resident, and Miss Ellen Gates Starr. It includes a gymnasium, a crêche and a diet kitchen, and supports classes, lectures and concerts. Haymarket Square, Randolph and Des Plaines Sts.; scene of the anarchist riots. Sears, Roebuck & Co., a great
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Facts About The New York Central Railroad Company
Facts About The New York Central Railroad Company
The New York Central Lines comprise 14,242 miles of track. As part of the track equipment, there are 40,000,000 wooden ties, worth about $1 each. On these ties are 1,727,000 tons of steel rail, worth $96,000,000. There are 32 tunnels, costing $10,000,000, and 19,000 bridges and culverts, costing $60,000,000. In the principal cities the New York Central's terminals cover about 4,800 acres, assessed at more than $100,000,000. The deeds for right-of-way for the section east of Buffalo alone number
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