THE   FERRY  ROAD

ON

LONG ISLAND


BY

EUGENE L. ARMBRUSTER


TRAVELLING FACILITIES


	In 1832 the Brooklyn and Jamaica Rail Road Company was incorporated and received a charter, 
for the term of fifty years, to build a steam railroad upon the Jamaica branch of the Ferry Road, 
as far as Jamaica, and operate same. Brooklyn, having become a city in 1834, wished to possess 
a highway from the Ferry to Bedford, which would not be obstructed by a steam railroad; and laid 
out in 1836 the Bedford Road, running from the intersection of Bridge and Concord Streets to the 
Jamaica Turnpike, where the latter joined the Clove Road at Bedford Corners. 

	In 1837 the Brooklyn and Jamaica Rail Road Company was authorized to alter its route and the 
straight line of present Atlantic Avenue, from Flatbush Avenue eastwards, was substituted for the 
crooked line of the Turnpike and the Bedford Road was abandoned. The lower portion of the Turnpike 
having been ceded to the village and Atlantic Street in the city being a continuation of Atlantic 
Avenue in a straight line, was selected for the terminus of the railroad and from its foot South 
Ferry connected with New York City.

	Stages were running to Flatbush as early as 1830. The doors were on the side of the vehicles. 
Straw packed on the floor kept the passengers tolerably warm and little whale-oil lamps furnished 
light. Extra horses, stationed at certain points, were hitched on to help pull the stages up 
steep hills. 

	Omnibusses were introduced in January, 1834; these were a new kind of stage coaches, having 
the doors on the rear end. They were not running over special routes, but picked up passengers, 
whose wishes often determined the further course of the vehicle; the fare was 12½ cents, or one 
shilling. There were soon many stage lines, the majority starting off from Samuel S. JONES' 
American Hotel at 26 Fulton Street, the site of the old stone tavern.

	In 1854 horse cars began to run from Fulton Ferry, on Fulton Avenue, Court Street, Myrtle 
Avenue and Flushing Avenue. The first cars were former stage coaches, set on four wheels, with a 
king bolt in the center upon which the vehic1e could be turned, while the wheels remained motionless. 
A steady pin in the front had to be pulled out, and after the car had been turned the pin was put 
back in its place.


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