Transportation

In 1833, the feeder canal was completed through Big Flats. The 16-mile-long canal connected the Chemung River in Gibson to the Chemung Canal in Horseheads. Lumber, coal, grain, produce, and dairy products were sent along the canal to market. The Erie Railroad was built through Big Flats in 1849. The increased use of railroads after that time started taking business away from the canal and it was fully abandoned in 1878. The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad arrived in 1882. Coal trestles and stockyards along the tracks made it possible to get products to market quicker. The trains also stopped in town morning, noon, and night carrying commuting workers.

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Big Flats

Barges on the feeder canal It is estimated that one eighth of all tonnage of coal, grain, and lumber going to or from Albany passed through the feeder canal in Big Flats.
Canal boat lantern Courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.
Erie Railroad Station The Erie Railroad and Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad ran parallel to each other. In 1959, the D.L.&W. abandoned its tracks and began to use those of the Erie Railroad. Image courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.
Big Flats Railroad Station Order box Courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.
Bill of Lading, 1900 Bill of Lading from the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. Courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.
Telegraph machine Courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.
Buggy brake Courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.
River Road (Route 352), 1926 Image courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.
E.C.&W. Trolley in Big Flats The Elmira, Corning and Waverly Electric Interurban Trolley built lines through Big Flats in 1911 and continued to run until 1930. Image courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.

Transportation

Barges on the feeder canal

It is estimated that one eighth of all tonnage of coal, grain, and lumber going to or from Albany passed through the feeder canal in Big Flats.

Canal boat lantern

Courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.

Erie Railroad Station

The Erie Railroad and Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad ran parallel to each other. In 1959, the D.L.&W. abandoned its tracks and began to use those of the Erie Railroad. Image courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.

Big Flats Railroad Station Order box

Courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.

Bill of Lading, 1900

Bill of Lading from the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. Courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.

Telegraph machine

Courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.

Buggy brake

Courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.

River Road (Route 352), 1926

Image courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.

E.C.&W. Trolley in Big Flats

The Elmira, Corning and Waverly Electric Interurban Trolley built lines through Big Flats in 1911 and continued to run until 1930. Image courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.