Summary
This train station was originally built in 1848, with the introduction of the Erie Railroad between Piermont, NY and Binghamton, NY. The station was approximately 85' x 24' in size, and featured a waiting room, freight room, ladies and mens rooms, lockers, and an office for the stationmaster.Â
This station served many customers of varying backgrounds. In the summers, large amounts of tourists from New York City would arrive to enjoy the scenery and peacefulness of Lordville and Equinunk. During major wars which the United States was involved in, local soldiers would board and return at this station. Perhaps the most frequent use of the station, and the reason why Lordville was so prosperous for a long time, was the loading of bluestone at this station directly from the Kilpatrick Bros. Bluestone Dock to be shipped to New York City and beyond.
Train service to this station ceased around the 1960s as automobile travel began to dominate the United States; and eventually the train station was demolished.
Floor plan of Lordville Station: contained one office, one waiting room, two ladies rooms, one men's room, and one freight room.
3/4 view of Lordville w/advertisements
Front profile of Lordville Station, with station tower in rear
3/4 view of Lordville Station w/bluestone and frieght train
Surveyors at Lordville Bridge, with station in background
Tourists waiting for the train at Lordville
A passenger train arrives at Lordville
Tons of tourists boarding at Lordville
Story: Grover Cleveland Stays in Lordville!
On October 8th, 1903, the day of the Great Flood of 1903, 22nd and 24th President of the United States, Grover Cleveland, was aboard a train that stopped in Lordville due to the flooding conditions. The train was coming from Buffalo, as President Cleveland was returning from the funeral of Postmaster General Bissel. The water level came up three whole feet from the railroad grade, and trains were unable to run any further in those conditions. The former president bore witness to the many destroyed buildings, shops, and the demolished 1869 Lord Suspension Bridge. The president stayed in Lordville (likely aboard his train) until October 10th, before continuing on to New York City.
Story: Alvah I. Lord's Station and Car Key
In 1856, Alvah I. Lord deposited $5 with the Erie Railroad Company for his station and car key. The price was to ensure that station agents were careful not to lose that key. On December 14th, 1887, Alvah Lord returned his key, as the custom of locking cars with that key had been discontinued. He received $20.49 as principal and interest on his original $5 deposit.