Sodus Point in Wayne County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Historic Sodus Point
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, February 10, 2019
1. Historic Sodus Point Marker
Inscription.
Historic Sodus Point. . From 1900 to 1929, the Rochester and Sodus Bay Railroad ran trolleys from Rochester to Sodus Point; a distance of 44 miles. It was known as The Royal Blue Line due to the fact that at first, all the trolley cars were painted a royal blue color. In the month of May it was often referred to as The Apple Blossom Line as many special cars took hundreds of people along Ridge Road to see and smell the apple blossoms. In 1901, a trip from Rochester to Sodus Point cost $1.32 on the trolley.
The trolley was an important part of Sodus Point commerce for not only the tourists-it transported but also for the freight it carried. Along with locally grown produce, it also carried mail to and from Rochester. The trolley used 60 lb. narrow gauge rails (the weight was from a 3 foot section) laid on gravel that came from the Glen Edith quarry near Rochester. Thirty five sidings were located approximately every mile for the expected traffic of one trolley every five minutes that was never realized. Business was such that a car ran every hour. The trolley used 625 volts DC current and required battery stations to boost power along the lines. Two of these stations were located at Webster and Williamson with substations at Ontario and Sodus.
When first laid, the terminus ended here in Willow Park. The erected trolley pole (which was recovered from a nearby ravine) was most likely the Sentell stop number 140. The date it was erected (1922) can be clearly read on its surface. NYS RYS stands for New York State Railway System. It was soon discovered that low voltage did not allow the trolley to carry passengers up the steep hill here and after several months the track was removed so it ended at the top of this hill. The long, narrow building at the top of the hill became the Trolley Station for Sodus Point. Another original trolley pole still stands about 3/4 of a mile due west of here on Lake Road. The Prozens Stop was named after the Proseus family when the name was incorrectly read off a document.
The owners of the Rochester and Sodus Bay Railroad were always seeking ways to increase passenger levels. In Sodus Bay they partnered with the Steamship Arundell. They advertised the "All the way Around” trip that allowed passengers to take the trolley to Sodus Point, then for $1.00 they could take the Arundell back to Charlotte and then in Charlotte re-board a trolley and return to the Rochester station.
From 1900 to 1929, the Rochester and Sodus Bay Railroad ran trolleys from Rochester to Sodus Point; a distance of 44 miles. It was known as The Royal Blue Line due to the fact that at first, all the trolley cars were painted a royal blue color. In the month of May it was often referred to as The Apple Blossom Line as many special cars took hundreds of people along Ridge Road to see and smell the apple blossoms.
In 1901, a trip from Rochester to Sodus Point cost $1.32 on the trolley.
The trolley was an important part of Sodus Point commerce for not only the tourists-it transported
but also for the freight it carried. Along with locally grown produce, it also carried mail to and from Rochester. The trolley used 60 lb. narrow gauge rails (the weight was from a 3 foot section) laid on gravel that came from the Glen Edith quarry near Rochester. Thirty five sidings were located approximately
every mile for the expected traffic of one trolley every five minutes that was never realized. Business was such that a car ran every hour. The trolley used 625 volts DC current and required battery stations to boost power along the lines. Two of these stations were located at Webster and Williamson with substations at Ontario and Sodus.
When first laid, the terminus ended here in Willow Park. The erected trolley pole (which was recovered from a nearby ravine) was most likely the Sentell stop number 140. The date it was erected (1922) can be clearly read on its surface. NYS RYS stands for New York State Railway System. It was soon discovered that low voltage did not allow the trolley to carry passengers up the steep hill here and after several months the track was removed so it ended at the top of this hill. The long, narrow building at the top of the hill became the Trolley Station for Sodus Point. Another original trolley pole still stands about 3/4 of a mile due west of here on Lake Road. The Prozens Stop was named after the Proseus family when the name was incorrectly read off a document.
The owners of the Rochester and Sodus Bay Railroad were always seeking ways to increase passenger levels. In Sodus Bay they partnered with the Steamship Arundell. They advertised the "All the way Around” trip that allowed passengers to take the trolley to Sodus Point, then for $1.00 they could take the Arundell back to Charlotte and then in Charlotte re-board a trolley and return to the Rochester station.
Topics.
Click or scan to see this page online
This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 43° 16.227′ N, 76° 58.927′ W. Marker is in Sodus Point, New York, in Wayne County. It is on New York State Route 14, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in the little park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sodus Point NY 14555, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, specifically in Western New York, in the Finger Lakes, and in the Rochester Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, on the Great Lakes, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The War of 1812 (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Sodus Point (within shouting distance
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 330 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 10, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
