Records of the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad Company, 1875-1897 (Bulk Dates: 1883-1890). 195 items in 8 folders in 1 legal manuscript box.
ArMs 1977.120
The Brooklyn Elevated Railroad Company was incorporated in 1874 and became an extensive elevated railroad. The first rail was laid in 1883 and the railroad opened to the public in May, 1885. W. Fontaine Bruff was president of the company until c.1883 when Henry W. Putnam became president. Putnam was succeeded by Adolf Ladenburg in 1892.
The collection includes correspondence, financial documents, incorporation documents, and operations reports. About one-third consists of letters to Mr. Putnam and about one-third from Frederick Uhlmann, a New York City hops merchant who was Chairman of the Executive Committee. Documents indicate the financial arrangements and operations of a growing transportation system in the 1880’s, including plans for property use, employment and labor needs, pay rates, construction expenses.