Hurley in Ulster County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Site of the O&W Train Station in Hurley
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2024
1. Site of the O&W Train Station in Hurley Marker
Hurley is a link on the historic coal distribution route between Kingston and the coal fields of Pennsylvania. The O&W Railroad cut through the town of Hurley and remains part of the Delaware and Hudson Heritage Corridor, a system of railroad and canal paths stretching 120 miles from Carbondale, PA to Kingston, NY.
The Delaware and Hudson Canal system was built 1825-1828: 108 miles long with 108 locks. A gravity railroad transported coal from Carbondale to Honesdale, where the canal journey was initiated to Kingston. The trip from Honesdale to Kingston took 7-10 days. Trade along the canal route became big business. The D&H Canal Company was the country's first million-dollar private enterprise.
The NY, Ontario, and Western Railway incorporated in 1880. The O&W had expanded its coal routes into Pennsylvania by the late 1890's and established tourist transport to the Lower Catskills. Most of the O&W's revenue was derived from transporting anthracite coal from Pennsylvania; as economic conditions changed, coal transport became unprofitable. The O&W declared bankruptcy in 1937. All remnants of the train station were destroyed in October, 1961 to make way for NYS Rt. 209.
A Link in the Delaware and Hudson Heritage Corridor
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 41° 55.515′ N, 74° 3.945′ W. Marker is in Hurley, New York, in Ulster County. It can be reached from the intersection of U.S. 209 and Wynkoop Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located beside the Hurley O&W Rail Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hurley NY 12443, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York and in the Hudson Valley. It is also in the American Northeast 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 New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to Historic Hurley (within shouting distance of this marker); Sycamore Moon Tree (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Town of Hurley Lions Gazebo (about 600 feet away); Old Guard House (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Old Guard House (about 600 feet away); Hurley Main Street (about 600 feet away); Hurley Roadbed (about 700 feet away); Stone Road (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hurley.
Also see . . .
1. New York, Ontario and Western Railway (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
The New York, Ontario and Western Railway, commonly known as the O&W or NYO&W,(Submitted on June 3, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)was a regional railroad founded in 1868. The last train ran from Norwich, New York to Middletown, New York in 1957, after which it was ordered liquidated by a U.S. bankruptcy judge.
2. Marker detail: Locomotive IllustrationFrom Wikipedia:
The railroad's W-in-O logo first appeared in 1892.
2. History of the New York, Ontario & Western (www.trains.com). Excerpt:
The New York, Ontario & Western Railway struggled to find its place among the many transportation systems serving New York City, but in the end it was able only to secure a place in history as the first Class I railroad to be abandoned in entirety. Despite this unenviable status, the O&W, as it was known, did endear itself to the communities along its line. After all, it was the carrier that had brought boxcars full of prosperity to every community along the line during its 76-year life.(Submitted on June 3, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2024
3. Site of the O&W Train Station in Hurley Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2024
4. Site of the O&W Train Station in Hurley Marker
Looking northeast; Hurley O&W Rail Trail is in the foreground.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 3, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
