Richardson Family Connection to the Erie Canal

Deed dated Oct. 8, 1880
Deed dated Oct. 8, 1880

On October 8, 1880, George Richardson (2nd Great Grandfather to Greece Historical Society Board Trustee David Richardson) bought 100 acres of land at the Southeast corner of Big Ridge Road and Mitchell Road (now Ridgeway and Long Pond Road) for $11,000 from the widow of Daniel Sharp. This was Lot 108 of the 20,000 Acre tract of the Phelps and Gorham purchase. George left the oil wells of Bradford, PA for the Flour City and the rich farming industry that was flourishing at that time. In 1895, George turned the farm over to his oldest son, Edward and his wife Cora Miller. The family raised cows and grew grain.

Family painting of their farm
Photo of farmhouse circa 1930

In the early 1900s, the State of New York began making plans to widen, relocate, and make improvements to the Erie Canal. By 1918, the Erie Canal would be moved from the North side of Big Ridge Road (Ridgeway Ave) to the South side. You can still see evidence of the old Erie Canal to this day, just South of Unity Hospital on Long Pond Road.

As evidenced by this document, Ed and Cora received $480.31 from the State of New York on March 4, 1907. The “new” Erie Canal would divide the Richardson parcel nearly in half and significantly reduce their fields for farming. Ed and Cora’s children witnessed the building of the Canal on their property, as well as the bridge which was built to cross the Canal. The property was eventually auctioned off in 1939. The northern part of their former property is now Canal Ponds Business Park. The south portion was the site of the Central Drive-in from 1946 to 1982 and is now townhomes and a professional building.

NYS deed March 4, 1907
NYS deed March 4, 1907

1938 map illustrating the Richardson land (shaded area) purchased by NYS for the Barge Canal (Environs of Rochester, Vol. 3, Plat 38) via Rochester Public Library
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The Manitou Trolley – Charlotte to Grand View Beach – “From The Historian’s Desk”

By the mid-1880s a steam railroad was planned to run from Charlotte to Grand View Beach. This plan never went beyond being chartered and was soon abandoned. The electric trolleys that began to appear on the streets of large cities seemed a more practical solution for this short line, which would eventually be just over seven miles.

Book page excerpt
Book page excerpt
Trolley schedule 1909
Trolley schedule 1909

The Grand View Beach Railroad was organized in 1891 and ran from Charlotte to Grand View Beach, which was not far west of the end of Long Pond Road. By 1895 the line was extended to Manitou Beach with a long trestle over Braddock Bay. Washouts and deterioration of the trestle caused the line to go into receivership in 1907 and a new company was formed in 1908. Improvements were made along the line including a new Braddock Bay trestle.

Child's ticket
Child’s ticket

After the World War of 1917-18, the popularity of the automobile caused revenue to plummet. The Manitou trolley had never been a huge money maker and by 1924 it was apparent that it would have to suspend operation at the end of the season. The passenger service was not resumed in 1925 and finally, the entire line and rolling stock were offered for sale in August 1925.

Elm Heart Hotel stop
Elm Heart Hotel stop
Manitou Trolley- west end
Manitou Trolley- west end

If you live along Beach Avenue or Edgemere Drive, the former route of the trolley can be hard to trace. But, an odd rail spike or strange jog in the road oftentimes reveals itself as part of that old Manitou line.

Trolleys passing on the line

Photos, data supplied by Alan Mueller, Greece Historian’s Office.

If you have any information on our photos, call Alan at 663-1706.

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