The New York and Erie Railroad

The New York and Erie Railroad - The Iron Horse

Pictured is the original Erie Depot
that was located on Pine St. in North Olean'THE IRON HORSE'
THE NEW YORK and ERIE RAILROAD
Before the New York and Erie Railroad came to this area, North Olean was just a wilderness. There was the pioneer settlement of Olean about two miles away near the point of the Olean Creek with the Allegany River. The main means of travel back in the 1850's was the Allegany River, but that wasn't navigable in the winter and it was a very dangerous means of transportation. There was also the Genesee Canal, the construction of which was in progress, or by means of wagons over poorly developed roads. The coming of the railroads proved to be the best means of transportation and a boom to the localities that they served.The New York and Erie Railroad was completed in 1851. The people had their first view of the Iron Horse on May 14, 1851 as it passed though the northern end of the township, then part of the town of Olean. It was a great event for Olean, seeing a huge engine that could travel at speeds of twenty to thirty five miles a hour coming through their territory.
The biggest celebration on May 16, 1851, when the President of the United States, Millard Fillmore, and the Secretary of State, Daniel Webster, together with a huge group of National, State and railroad officials came to Olean. They arrived on a special train in two sections with coaches that were outfitted with the latest in comfort. Benjamin Loder, the President of the New York and Erie Railroad was in charge of the two trains.
The citizens of Olean had the honor of the President of the United States, his Secretary of State, and his cortege of dignitaries along with the other distinguished visitors stopping here for lunch. It must have been a most invigorating and memorable day. Which was the most exciting, to have such important visitors or to see the Great Iron Horse! After all, this meant the hope of a more prosperous life for them and their families.
The President was greeted with the booming of a cannon and with shouts of the spectators along the way. The Indians of the Cattaraugus Reservation also assembled, painted and in their native dress, not only to see the 'Iron Horse', but also to cheer the 'Great White Father'.

OLEAN ERIE DEPOT
The following article is from the Olean Journal Newspaper, dated January 15, 1853
"Olean Depot"---When the buildings were erected by the Olean Station, those having charge of the work were fearful that the R. R. Company was expanding money to no purpose in making the Freight House, Eating Room and etc. so large as they were laid out. But the constantly increasing business at the "Pint" had rendered an enlargement of the capacity of the Station to receive and ship freight absolutely necessary. The President and Superintendent of the Road, who were here a short time since, have ordered some improvements to be made early in the coming spring. The Freight House, which is now only 80 feet in length, is to receive an addition of 100 feet; several large wood-houses and a turntable are to be built, and other improvements will be made. The liberality and enterprise of the Company will be well repaid by the increase of business, which will be sure to follow. Goods frequently have to be left in the cars several days for want of room to store them---an inconvenience both to the owner and the Company.
The fact that the N. Y. & E. Co. are willing to incur this expense to accommodate the trade at this point, shows pretty conclusively that they have but little faith in the idea that other roads are to be built that will cut off or diminish the present business. There is hardly a square mile of land in this county, which had not been surveyed for some projected railroad. A map showing all the routes would present a nearly uniform appearance, the dotted lines would be so think as to obscure the towns and villages. Railroads are very certain affairs" until they are in complete operation.
The individuals in charge of the railroad business at this point, fill their several stations with much credit. The Agent, Mr. J. S. Shaw, is a man of superior business qualifications. His labors thus far have been very satisfactory, both to the company and those with whom he had transacted business. Mr. S. R. Homer, who has charge of the Eating House, knows exactly what pleases the great traveling public, and he never fails of making ample provision for every variety of taste. His saloon is not surpassed by any on the Road.
Business and buildings are rapidly increasing about the Depot. In addition those at present in trade, we notice that Mr. Samuel W. Bradley is to open an Extensive Grocery and Provision Store in a few days.
There were also other "firsts" in business in 1852 at the "Olean Station", such as the Newbold House, a leading hotel; Merritt's, a wholesale and retail business that offered groceries and provisions; a saloon, operated by N. Chapman; The New Olean Livery Stable at 'Olean Pint', under the management of C. H. Johnson; and in the year 1854 a sawmill was built on the Olean Creek. Thus 'Olean Depot' was beginning to grow, not only in businesses, but also with new settlers that were coming into the area seeking employment and the hope of a new life.

SAMUEL HOMER'S SALOON AT THE ERIE DEPOTThe Ellicottville Union, on September 7, 1853, discoursed as following an article of the pleasant party at SAM HOMER'S SALOON at the Erie Depot.
"All who were present will fully endorse every word of it. By the way, we will bet a sixpence that those who delight in 'tripping the light fantastic toe,' will have another opportunity on the 1st of January of assembling in that splendid room, and enjoying one of those parties, which SAM only is skilled in getting up.
The 'Railroad Ball' at Olean was a splendid affair. The proprietor, Sam Homer, literally eclipsed himself, in having everything in complete and perfect order. The dancing hall presented a neat and brilliant appearance, with its crowd of ladies, gay and gallant young men. We have scarce ever attended a more pleasant party, and this seemed to be the general opinion of all present. We regret to say there were many absent whom we expected to see there, not so much on our account as upon theirs. The music by Tomkin's Dunkirk Band was irresistible. Everything was just as it should be, in fact we don't see where it could have been improved, and unhesitating, we crown Homer, Prince of caterers. Long may he wave!'

AN ARTICLE REGARDING THE ERIE RAILROAD IN DECEMBER OF 1881"While the syndicate had been making spicy railway gossip for this city (Olean), the Erie Railroad had also been quietly figuring on some improvements. A new siding, to extend the entire length of their yard, and thence down beside that B.N.Y.&P. road to near Union Street would soon be laid soon. This would give them nearly one and one-forth miles of switch, which at this time they were much in need of. Agent Lee was kept on the alert and every available inch of siding had been utilized, but the situation was growing more complex each day.
In connection with this article, a peculiar coincidence was mentioned. Daniel Fisher had just secured to act in the capacity of a yardmaster, which position was recently occupied by Daniel Wing. Daniel McAuliffe was now the track foreman, Daniel Davis was the night baggage man, Daniel Hale was the foreman of the repair shop and his son Daniel Hale Jr. also had a place in the force of workmen about the Erie Depot. Six Daniels in one den, bring on your lions.

THE ERIE DEPOT IN MAY OF 1899The Erie Depot was being repainted in May of 1899. The old freight shed structure that had done duty for the past few generations was hardly worth being dignified by being called a depot. The depot at Hinsdale was much more up to date and a more comfortable and convenient building, while the depot at Cuba was a gem compared to what the Erie saw fit to serve Olean. There wasn't much hope that a new depot would be built in the near future because when a depot is painted as the North Olean one was, it usually meant that it was expected to do at least five more years of service. The citizens of Olean certainly had a right to expect a new depot from the Erie Railroad.
Now a few descriptions that were given about the paint job on the depot, "The artist who selected the colors used in painting the Erie depot at North Olean was said to deserve a leather medal. The siding for about four feet up was dubbed a reddish yellow and the remainder of the structure was adorned with a sickly yellow that looked as though it would not show the dirt. However, if there were several other colors, including some more shades of brindle, the dingy and backwoods aspect of the miserable old depot would still stick out."
The following remarks were made by and old resident of Olean in referring to the ancient structure at North Olean, which the Erie Railroad called a station in 1899, "I remember traveling through Olean in 1864 and of taking my dinner at the Erie Station dining hall, which was then conducted by Samuel R. Homer, now deceased. So far as I know, there have been few improvements put upon the station since that time or during the past thirty-five years."
BUILDING THE NEW ERIE DEPOT IN 1902Plans to replace the old depot at North Olean had been completed for the new Erie Station in May of 1902. The exact location of the new station had not been fully determined yet, but it would probably extend nearly, if not quite, to Union Street. It was hoped that the yard would be arranged so that there would not be any switch tracks on the south side between the station and Pine Street.
The site for the new Erie depot was staked out on May 26, 1902. The new structure would be located east of the present depot. The west end of the building would be about where the east end of the present depot was. The new sheds would be on the site of the present station. A flagstone platform was planned to surround the new building, and there would be no tracks on the south side of the depot. The division superintendent estimated the cost of the new depot would be between $10,000 and $15,000.
On May 27th, the ground was broken for the new station, and the old station would not be torn down until the new station was ready. George E. Archer of New York, the architect for the Erie Railroad, was in town to oversee the beginning of the construction. All the work was to be done by Olean contractors, the construction by the Olean Supply Company, the plumbing by W. H. Simpson and the carpenter work by Henry Showalter & Son. Everything about the building was of the best material obtainable.
On November 3, 1902, the employees of the Olean station moved into the new building. F. B. Georgia had been promoted to the position of passenger agent and Frank Boyle was made his assistant. A force of workmen had started the tearing down of the old station that for nearly fifty years had done service here. In November the site of the old building was being graded. The tracks of the Olean Street Railway Company had been extended, and now the passengers could be carried to and from the main entrance of the new depot. A force of workmen was employed to build the addition to the freight sheds, and it was expected that before long the new freight office would be ready for occupancy.
NEW ADDITIONS AT THE ERIE RAILROAD IN NORTH OLEANThe new 26-foot high water tower with the capacity of holding 92,000 gallons of water, was completed on February 21, 1903. The new tank was twice as large as the old one that was located east of the old depot. A new combination gas engine and pump had been installed at the pumping house. The pump had a capacity of 200,00 gallons in twenty-four hours.
A large interlocking switch tower was built just west of the station in the spring of 1903, in which was placed levers controlling every switch in the Olean yard. These were placed in charge of the telegraph operator whose office was moved from the station building into the tower. This arrangement precluded the possibility of wrecks from freight trains on the switches overhanging onto the main track, as trains would not be allowed in the block until all yard switches on the main track had been closed. It was alleged that engineers were careless about running out onto the main track for water very close to the time that another train was due to arrive. Under the new arrangement it was impossible for them to get out onto the main track until the operator in the tower, who would have full knowledge of where the train approaching train was, could throw the switch for the. This new arrangement was a decided improvement on the present conditions and prevents accidents.
It was in January of 1971 that the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad made its last passenger trip on the east-west route. It was a very sad day indeed. Even more sad was when the residents living around the Erie Depot awoke at 7:30a.m. on the morning of April 16, 1988 to the sound of bulldozers demolishing the beautiful, historic landmark, that once was a hub of Olean's railroad transportation.
The former site of the depot is now a barren, lonely, unkempt parcel of land, bordering the railroad tracks. I as well as all North Olean residents miss seeing the depot on E. Pine Street and at the end of Walnut Street. We can recall the days when the depot was a hub of activity, passenger trains, troop trains during the war as well as the many freight trains. Oh yes, a safe haven to wait for the Blue Bird Bus to take us up town.
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