Transportation

From 1848 until 1890, the plank road served as a major thoroughfare from Elmira to the Pennsylvania border. The toll road ran from the Lake Street Bridge along what is now Pennsylvania Avenue through Southport Corners, Bulkhead, Pine City, Webb Mills, and Seeley Creek. The Erie Railroad first came through in 1849 and the Northern Central (Pennsylvania) Railroad line was completed in 1854. There was a stop along the line at the Seeley Creek Station. Automobiles first appeared in the area in the early 20th century. In 1901, Pennsylvania Avenue was one of the first macadam roads constructed in New York State.

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Southport

Tollhouse by Mabelle P. Shoemaker The plank road was 13 feet wide, constructed of hemlock planks, and had six toll gates between the river to the state line.
Piece of the Plank Road courtesy of the Southport Historical Society
Display board with facts about the Plank Road, courtesy of the Southport Historical Society
Railroad maintenance crew, c. 1890s The Pennsylvania Railroad service yard employed many people in Southport.
Caton Avenue Airport, 1920s The Elmira Airport Corp. formed in 1927 and opened an airport on Caton Avenue. Several weekly flights came into the airport until 1934, when a new airfield opened in Big Flats.

Transportation

Tollhouse by Mabelle P. Shoemaker

The plank road was 13 feet wide, constructed of hemlock planks, and had six toll gates between the river to the state line.

Piece of the Plank Road

courtesy of the Southport Historical Society

Display board with facts about the Plank Road, courtesy of the Southport Historical Society

Railroad maintenance crew, c. 1890s

The Pennsylvania Railroad service yard employed many people in Southport.

Caton Avenue Airport, 1920s

The Elmira Airport Corp. formed in 1927 and opened an airport on Caton Avenue. Several weekly flights came into the airport until 1934, when a new airfield opened in Big Flats.