It’s About Time
ALL ABOARD! In 1890, a resident or visitor could travel by train on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, Auburn Branch (formerly known as the Southern Central) from North Fair Haven, the northern terminus of the branch, to Fair Haven in three minutes. The traveler would board the train at the station just west and south of today’s Fair Haven Beach State Park property. In February of 1890, the train left North Fair Haven at 7:35 AM, arriving at the Fair Haven Station and leaving by 7:38 AM. The Fair Haven station was located on Main Street, Fair Haven, about where Giuseppe’s stands today. By 7:45 the train was to leave Sterling Station and by 7:53, the Martville station, located on what is now Queens Farms Road and Route 104. Via connecting trains, a traveler could be in Philadelphia by 7:17 PM or New York City by 7:55 PM, if the trains were on time. Along with passengers traveling south, large cans of fresh milk were taken along for the ride, to furnish the cities with the substance that was to grow strong bones and teeth.
George I. Post Home, Railroad Station, Customs House and Telegraph office, North Fair Haven The track bed from Sayre, PA to North Fair Haven was completed in 1871 commencing in a big celebration. The line from North Fair Haven to Fair Haven was abandoned in 1937. The last train left from Fair Haven in 1953, though it was not a passenger train.
Fair Haven Station Sterling Station, Hotel and Railroad Tower
The following news clippings demonstrate some of the activities related to the Railroad and its importance to the area:
“The Southern Central Excursion train to North Fair Haven this morning comprised 17 cars and 2 engines.” (Auburn News and Bulletin, Saturday, October 7, 1882)
“Sunday, September 6th, a Lehigh Valley special train to North Fair Haven leaves Auburn at 6AM. 50 cents round trip. The Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Day Line STR Arundel leaves North Fair Haven at 7:35 AM for the 1000 Islands. $1 round trip.” (Auburn Bulletin, September 3, 1903)
“Beginning on Sunday, July 1 and continuing through the months of July, August and September, the Lehigh Valley Railroad will sell tickets to North Fair Haven and return every Sunday at the low rate of 50 cents for the round trip from Auburn, tickets good going and returning on day of sale only. Train for North Fair Haven will leave Auburn at 9:35 AM and returning will arrive at 6:10 PM. Ask Lehigh Valley Agents for further information.” (Auburn Citizen, Friday July 20, 1906)
“Courtney C. Avery was in the city [Auburn] today, returning on the evening train to North Fair Haven, where his family is in camp.” (Auburn Citizen, August 16, 1906). “At Burritt Opera House, Weedsport, on January 16th, the Theatrical Success of the Century, a play, Graustark, to be presented including elaborate costumes and novel electrical effects. Prices: 35 cents, 50 cents, 75 cents, box seats $1. Special low rate excursion on the Lehigh Valley to Weedsport:
Train leaves: time: fare:
North Fair Haven 6:55 PM 84 cents
Fair Haven 7:00 PM 84 cents
Sterling 7:05 PM 80 cents
Martville 7:11 PM 68 cents”
(The Cato Citizen, 1910-1912, date unknown)
“The Fair Haven High School baseball team came to Cato Saturday for the games with the Cato High School nine. The morning game had but nicely started when a very unfortunate accident brought the contest to a close. Walter Phillips of the Fair Haven nine was playing 2nd base. One of the Cato players, in attempting to steal 2nd, ran into Phillips and as a result of the collision, Phillips had the right leg broken just below the knee. He was removed to the Curtis house where proper medical attention was given him and he was taken home on the 6:17 train. The afternoon game was well-attended but proved too one-sided, the Fair Haven boys winning by a score of 20 to 5.” (Auburn Citizen, May 23, 1910)
(37 years before) “William Johnson was run over by a train at North Fair Haven and died immediately. His age was 40 years.” (“Looking Backward,” Fair Haven Register, August 26, 1948)
(36 years before) “ A special train of 12 coaches from Auburn brought 1000 people to the big picnic [in North Fair Haven] and horses and autos brought enough to make 3500 people.” (Ibid)
“Fire partly destroyed the bridge over a stream one mile and a half north of Ira Station on Thursday afternoon. The fire started in a field of hay and communicated to the bridge… Passengers on an afternoon train from North Fair Haven to Auburn were obliged to walk across the stream on a temporary bridge…” (Gazette and Farmers’ Journal, Baldwinsville, NY, Thursday, July 16, 1914)
“Mr. and Mrs. D.D. Chase rode on the last train from North Fair Haven to Fair Haven Sunday. Mrs. Chase rode on the first train to make the trip when she was seven years old.” (Cortland Standard, Cortland NY, Friday evening September 24, 1937)