Shelburne in Chittenden County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)
Rail Car Grand Isle
1899 • Wagner Palace Car Company • Moved to Museum: 1960
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 8, 2017
1. Rail Car Grand Isle Marker
Inscription.
Rail Car Grand Isle. 1899 . Wagner Palace Car Company . Moved to Museum: 1960. Dr. William Seward Webb (1851-1926), president of the Rutland Railroad and the Wagner Palace Car Company, lived for part of the year in Shelburne, commuting to New York City in his own private car, the Ellesmere, which was similar to the Museum's Grand Isle. The Grand Isle was originally presented to, and used by, Vermont's governors. J. Watson Webb, Jr. (1916-2000), Electra Webb's son and Dr. Webb's grandson, acquired the Grand Isle and supervised its renovation to commemorate his family's role in the railroad industry., The mahogany-paneled parlor, elegant dining room, and plush staterooms are typical of the private luxury cars that became important symbols of corporate and personal status in the late 19th century.
Dr. William Seward Webb (1851-1926), president of the Rutland Railroad and the Wagner Palace Car Company, lived for part of the year in Shelburne, commuting to New York City in his own private car, the Ellesmere, which was similar to the Museum's Grand Isle. The Grand Isle was originally presented to, and used by, Vermont's governors. J. Watson Webb, Jr. (1916-2000), Electra Webb's son and Dr. Webb's grandson, acquired the Grand Isle and supervised its renovation to commemorate his family's role in the railroad industry.
The mahogany-paneled parlor, elegant dining room, and plush staterooms are typical of the private luxury cars that became important symbols of corporate and personal status in the late 19th century.
Location. 44° 22.46′ N, 73° 14.01′ W. Marker is in Shelburne, Vermont, in Chittenden County. Marker and passenger car are on the Shelburne Museum grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6000 Shelburne Road (US Hwy 7), Shelburne VT 05482, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Rail Car Grand Isle
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(here, next to this marker); Locomotive 220 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Locomotive 220 (a few steps from this marker); Railroad Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Beach Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Beach Gallery (within shouting distance of this marker); Ticonderoga (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ticonderoga (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shelburne.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 8, 2017
2. Rail Car Grand Isle and Markers
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 8, 2017
3. Rail Car Grand Isle Observation Platform
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 30, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
