Railway street cars
were operating into Shinglehouse for 25 years from 1902 untill 1927. The
terminal in Shinglehouse was connected with Olean, Bolivar, Bradford and
Salamanca. Like the NY&P, this line did a good business until the advent
of the motor car and truck.
Excursion trolleys were operated
into Shinglehouse in order that many people from Bolivar, Bradford, Olean
and many other towns on the line might view the making of window glass
in the moder plant here. Shinglehouse and vicinity people also enjoyed
excursions on the trolley line to Riverhurst Park and Rock City, both amusement
centers built by the troley company.
For three years after the trolley
line was built into shinglehouse the line ended on Academy Street about
in front of the store now operated by Keith M.Foote. In attempting
to cross the NY&P railroad tracks considerable trouble arose. The railroad
officials would not consent to the crossing. However in June 1905 a large
crew of workmen arrived on the trolleyafter the passenger train had left
for Canisteo. The crew immediately set to work to make the crossing but
worked only a short time before railroad officials ordered a switch engine
to stand on the crossing.
7There
was a lot of excitement and a large crowd soon gathered, as shown in the
accompanying photo. The majority of Shinglehouse people were "with" the
trolley company and desired the line to bo extended to Oswayo street.
Fire hoses were brought into use,
drenching the engineer and firemen ( and some of the spectators. ) Stones
and lumps of coal flew but no one was injured. Reports vary as to the climax.
Either the hose and water put the fire out in the engine and the horses
drew the engine off the crossing, or water got too low in the engine boiler
that it had to leave or blow up. Anyhow the train rails were cut and the
crossing made.
In 1904 an attempt was made to build
a trolley line from Olean to Coudersport but difficultiesarose in Port
Allegany and the plan was abandoned. Thus Shinglehouse was the only
town in Potter County to have electrically operated street railways.
The big power house
at Ceres was built when the line was extended to Shinglehouse and Bolivar.
Monster Gas, (and later an oil engine) engines were used to run the generators
for the electric motive power. Many Shinglehouse men were amployed at different
times in the power house and on the gas drilling wells in local fields.
This plant ceased tooperate in 1924 wgen electricity from Niagra Falls
was used.
The trolley system was sold
at Sheriff's Sale in March, 1927 and the lines in this section taken up
in the summer of that year.
END
All photos were scanned by me from
various sources, including newspaper clippings and photos loaned to me
by Curtis Perkins.
