Program

Historic Transportation

Subject

Industry & Commerce, Site, Transportation

Location

170 E Main St, Walden, NY 12586, USA

Lat/Long

41.562979, -74.179062

Grant Recipient

Historical Society of Walden and Wallkill Valley

In February 1894, the Newburgh Electric Railway Company began construction of an electric interurban railway between Newburgh and Walden, in Orange County, New York. The route from Newburgh to Orange Lake was completed by November 1894. Work began on the Walden extension in March 1895 and was completed and in operation by August, offering freight and passenger service over a 14-mile route that followed the former Newburgh and Ellenville plank road, later East Main Street in Walden. Freight transported over the line included raw materials, dry goods, merchandise, hay, fruit, and milk.

In October 1901 the Newburgh Electric Railway Company reorganized as the Orange County Traction Company. With the advent of the automobile, combined with improving road conditions, the Orange County Traction Company abandoned their trolley between Newburgh and Walden in May 1926. The rails and wires were removed for scrap metal, ending this brief but impactful mode of transportation between Newburgh and Walden.