A Proposal for

Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the

 The following text in italics was taken from Ralph Denlinger's article elsewhere in the website.


Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania – November 14, 1859 to November 14, 2009 - 150 Years

On Wednesday January 3, 1855, the first ground was broken at Isaac Speakman’s farm (one source says Darwin Painter’s farm) at Painter’s crossroads. Following a brief speech, Messrs. Quigley and Stone, contractors, entered immediately upon their work. Expectations were that they would reach Chadd’s Ford by locomotive within six months.

Facing financial difficulties, construction of the rail line was limited to construction of the roadbed until circa May, 1859 when track was laid and locomotives ran as far as Concordville. Stage coach service connected Concordville to Kennett Square at that time. In mid November, 1859 trains began crossing the Brandywine Creek.

November 14 was singled out as it is a Saturday which would be a great Railroad Jubilee Day, Sunday, November 15 would be good as well.

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania – December 17, 1859 to December 17, 2009 – 150 Years

Train service arrived at Kennett Square on December 17, 1859 amid great fanfare. A schedule for December 24, 1859 shows two trains from Kennett Square and two passenger trains to Kennett Square were in operation daily to and from Philadelphia.

December 17, 2009 falls on a Thursday. Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20 of 2009 would be a great day for Railroad Jubilee Day as well.

Avondale, Pennsylvania - January 21, 1860 to January 21, 2010 – 150 Years

The railroad opened to Avondale January 31, 1860 when the need for 5 bridges within a mile west of Avondale slowed progress. By June 12, 1860, the tracks were only about three quarters of a mile west of Avondale.

January 21, 2010 falls on a Thursday. Saturday, January 23 and Sunday January 24 of 2010 would be a great day for Railroad Jubilee Day as well.

West Grove, Pennsylvania – July 3, 1860 to July 3, 2010 – 150 Years

Construction continued and a July 3, 1860 schedule shows West Grove offering two trains to and two trains from Philadelphia daily. Stage coaches served Oxford from the end of the railroad as of September 1860.

July 3, 2010 falls on a Saturday of the 4th of July (Sunday) weekend! What a Fantastic day for a 150 Year Railroad Jubilee Celebration!

Elk View, Pennsylvania – October 28, 1860 to October 28, 2010 – 150 Years

Scheduled trains were reaching Elkview by October 28, 1860. While the trestle over the Elk Creek was being constructed, roadbed and track was completed to Oxford rather than wait for the bridge to become serviceable.

October 28, 2010 falls on a Thursday. Saturday, October 30 and Sunday October 31 of 2010 would be a great day for Railroad Jubilee Day! Imagine a Railroad 150th Anniversary and a Great Community Halloween Party all in ONE!

Lincoln Village, Pennsylvania – December 18, 1860 to December 18, 2010 – 150 Years

Exact Date of opening of the Lincoln University train station is at this time unknown but it is intended that the celebration be held at the same time as the Oxford Borough Railroad Jubilee Day! A Great opportunity for a Regional Get Together!

Oxford, Pennsylvania – September 18, 1860 to September 18, 2010 – 150 Years

Construction continued and a July 3, 1860 schedule shows West Grove offering two trains to and two trains from Philadelphia daily. Stage coaches served Oxford from the end of the railroad as of September 1860.

Here is another “Oxford” opportunity for a “Mass Transit Celebration” September 18th 2010 falls on a Saturday and would present the opportunity for a ‘Stage Coach Day’ Jubilee!

 

Oxford, Pennsylvania – December 18, 1860 to December 18, 2010 – 150 Years

December 18, 1860 saw an announcement of a “grand jubilee” to be held at Oxford at the opening of the railroad to that town. December 22, 1860 indeed saw a “grand jubilee” as the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad locomotive “Rockdale” was decorated with flags to pull a six car train full of dignitaries to Oxford. This marked the last of the major communities to be reached in Chester County and in Pennsylvania by the PBCRR.

With Luck, December 18th falls on a Saturday. So, Saturday or Sunday of that weekend would be a Great time for a 150th Year Railroad Jubilee get together! Add Lincoln University / Lincoln Village to the mix and it gets even better.

Nottingham, Pennsylvania – Circa October, 1865 to Circa October, 2010 - 145 Years

The railroad passenger service reached what is now known as Nottingham circa October 1865

The 30th of October is another chance to double up on a traditional holiday, Halloween, and have a wonderful Railroad Jubilee here.

Rising Sun, Maryland – January 16, 1866 to January 16, 2010 – 144 Years

Ground was broken at Rising Sun, Maryland February 5, 1856, but the start of the Civil War in April 1861 caused construction to cease. An article in “The Village Record” dated August 15, 1865 states “The Baltimore Central Railroad Company have commenced laying the track beyond Oxford Borough. The cars have been running to Oxford for some years. The track is now laid one mile beyond Oxford”. The railroad passenger service reached what is now known as Nottingham circa October 1865 and reached Rising Sun Maryland January 16, 1866.

This comes at an odd year on the calendar, but it seems that it would be terrible to waste a chance to cover the Railroad Jubilee theme at Rising Sun in 2010. It could happen again in 2011after the Oxford 2010 events and they may wish to start having an annual Railroad Jubilee Day. In 2010 January 16th falls on a Saturday and it would be a Great time to continue the “Kick Off” of the potential Annual event.
 

Port Deposit, Maryland – April 12, 1869 to April 12, 2009 – 140 Years

The “opening of the road” of the Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad to Port Deposit was celebrated with an excursion on Monday April 12, 1869 marking slightly over 14 years for its completion. This location was where the Octoraro Creek met the Susquehanna and was where the Octoraro Station was located, thus it was referred to as the “Octoraro Branch” and later “Central Division”.

April 12th of 2009 falls on a Sunday. This could be the Cecil County, Maryland “Kick Off” Event of the Railroad Jubilee series. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of time to be able to put something together. April 12th of 2010 would give them more time and could include Perryville and Colora in the mix. It would be an odd year anniversary of 141 Years, but it is an option. April 12 of 2010 is a Monday but the weekend of April 10th and 11th would be close.