Program

Historic Transportation

Subject

Industry & Commerce, Transportation

Location

1391 U.S. Rte 20, Skaneateles, NY 13152, USA

Lat/Long

42.944798, -76.408631

Grant Recipient

Skaneateles Historical Society

From 1903 to 1930, those taking a trolley on the Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad could thank the substation in Skaneateles for getting them to their destination.

Substations, such as the one in Skaneateles, were crucial to the functioning of these interurban trolleys. In 1903, an article featured in the May 19^th edition of the Skaneateles Free Press described the importance of the substation as it was being built:

“Into these sub-stations alternating currents of electricity are sent by means of five high-tension long-distance transmission wires from the great central powerhouse at Auburn. At the sub-station the current is transformed to a direct current, the voltage being nearly doubled and back lashed five miles as well as being sent to the east five miles. In other words, power is sent from the sub-station at Skaneateles to a point practically five miles west of the village, where it meets the power which is sent out direct from the powerhouse in Auburn.”

The substation continued to provide electricity to the Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad for much of the early 20^th century until 1930, when the line was closed due to outside pressures from emerging modes of new transportation.

On April 17^th, 1930, The Skaneateles Press described the final run of the Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad in an article titled, “Buses Took Over Service Tuesday When Cars Quit.”

“After an existence of 27 years during which period it had rendered most satisfactory service, the A. & S. Trolley Company withdrew their cars from service on Tuesday, April 15. The last eastbound car left here at 10 o’clock, returning at noon. It was given quate an ovation here at the noon hour. Several persons made the trip solely for the purpose of having a ride in the last car to be run. Souvenir hunters were active and secured a number of trifling objects and mementoes…”

Though the trolley line no longer operates, the substation that provided electricity to this beloved mode of transportation still exists, and, as of 2024, houses the offices of Eggleston & Krenzer Architects.