Page:History of West Hoboken NJ.djvu/51

 CHAPTER VI.

Transit Facilities.

Previous to the year 1846 there was no way of reaching the ferries or any other point, except by private conveyance or by walking.

In that year a Mr. Saltzman began running stages from Demott street and Clinton avenue, to the Hoboken ferry, going down the Paterson Plankroad, Jersey City. This road changed hands twice, first to Capt. Rawson and then to a Mr. Husted. The stages had no regular schedule as to running time, but would leave at the driver's convenience. The fare to the ferry was one shilling (currency of that time.) This line subsequently drifted from the last named owners to Peter Mechler, and from him to Nicholas Goelz. When Goelz got control of the line he changed its starting place and route from West Hoboken to Union Hill, using the Hackensack Plankroad as the route to the ferry. This was in 1859. He erected his stables on Bergenline avenue and Franklin street, in the latter town. About this time a line of horse cars ran from the ferry to Congress street in Jersey City.

In 1863, the Barns of Nicholas Goelz were struck by lightning and burnt down, and before re-building same he consolidated with the Jersey City Company, whose cars were running in the latter city and Hoboken.

After the consolidation the company, in 1865, erected the car depot on Spring street, and a steam dummy was installed on the Palisade avenue line in Jersey City. This road was then extended up into West Hoboken, running as far as the Hillside road. In 1871 the tracks were extended to the car stables and the use of the dummy was discontinued, and the first horse car was run through our town. This road, since that time, has repeatedly changed hands, and all of us are acquainted with the facts concerning the passing of the old horse cars and the substitution of the more up-to-date trolley car.