Harriman in Orange County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
First Train Order Transmitted by Telegraph
Photographed By Mary Ellen Coghlan, circa 2009
1. First Train Order Transmitted by Telegraph Marker
From this site the first train order was transmitted by telegraph in 1851 from Harriman to Goshen by order of Charles Minot of the Erie Railroad
Erected 1912 by Harriman Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 41° 18.563′ N, 74° 8.755′ W. Marker is in Harriman, New York, in Orange County. Marker is on Grove Street, 0.1 miles west of New York State Route 17. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harriman NY 10926, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First MIA Flag (approx. ¼ mile away); Harriman (approx. ¼ mile away); First Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); American Heroes (approx. 2.1 miles away); Tomas Estrada Palma (approx. 2.2 miles away); Camp Site (approx. 2.3 miles away); Reynolds House (approx. 2.3 miles away); Monroe Race Track (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harriman.
Regarding First Train Order Transmitted by Telegraph. Adjacent to the marker is a granite and bronze monument erected on May 12, 1912. As described in the internet link provided below, the original bronze plaque has been
this page online
Also see . . . A Monument to Charles Minot. Telegraph History website entry (Submitted on March 17, 2009, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Warwick, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. Former train station
The Tudor-style train station at this site was erected in 1911 on land donated by E.H. Harriman, a former director of the railroad. It was demolished in May 2006 after years of neglect.
— Submitted March 15, 2009, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Warwick, New York.
Photographed By Mary Ellen Coghlan, May 16, 2002
2. The original Monument to Charles Minot
The First Train Order Transmitted by Telegraph post marker can be seen in the background. The original monument hosted a bronze table that read:
From this station
Charles Minot
General Superintendent
of the
New York and Erie Railroad
1851
Issued the first train order transmitted by telegraph
To Agent and Operator at Goshen,
“Hold the train for further orders”
To Conductor and Engineer, Day Express
“Run to Goshen regardless of opposing train”
Charles Minot
General Superintendent
of the
New York and Erie Railroad
1851
Issued the first train order transmitted by telegraph
To Agent and Operator at Goshen,
“Hold the train for further orders”
To Conductor and Engineer, Day Express
“Run to Goshen regardless of opposing train”
Photographed By Mary Ellen Coghlan, May 16, 2002
3. Charles Minot Monument
This monument once proudly displayed a 6' x 3'3" "highly detailed tablet ... designed for the monument by sculptor, Charles Keck of New York and ... included a vignette of Charles Minot along with the inscription of the first train order."
In the early 1990s, it discovered missing and has never been recovered.
In the early 1990s, it discovered missing and has never been recovered.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2009, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Warwick, New York. This page has been viewed 1,732 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 15, 2009, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Warwick, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
