West Seneca�s history as a working community can be seen in its humble Native American cabins; sturdy Ebenezer Society buildings; simple farms; hardscrabble shops; and blue-collar housing tracts. In the 1700s; the Seneca Indians became the most dominant tribe when the town was part of the Buffalo Creek Reservation. In the 1840s; the arrival of the Ebenezer religious community from Germany continued the area�s mostly agricultural development; and they formally incorporated the town in 1851. Their departure in the 1860s led to the arrival of more immigrants; primarily farmers; laborers; and shopkeepers. The next 100 years in West Seneca saw its development continue. In the 1950s; a further influx of new residents looking for affordable homes in a suburban setting led to the town�s rapid growth as a mecca for working people.
#1911592 in eBooks 2010-07-12 2010-07-12File Name: B0099U5LMY
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Allison TylerThoroughly enjoyed.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Important book for shortline railroad lovers and model railroadersBy Roger C. ParkerThere are three types of readers who will appreciate Donald Barberios Middletown and Unionville Railroad. part of Arcadia Publishings Images of Rail series.One is lovers of "high character" short line railroads. Although less than 15 miles long. the Middletown and Unionville railroad served its upper New York State communities for over 100 years. Its rails hosted a wide variety of steam and diesel engines and a variety of freight and passenger rolling stock. Like many short line railroads. money was always tight. and the rolling stock and line side structures reflected the lines pragmatic. "make do." and home-made fiscal constraints.Another category of readers certain to appreciate the Middletown and Unionville Railroad is model railroaders searching for inspiration in terms of a "practical" prototype to model. With just 15 miles of track. the Middletown and Unionville is long enough to be interesting. with its numerous interchanges with larger lines. yet its short enough to be practical.More important. the Middletown and Unionville played an important role in the communities and industries it served.including the dairy industry. As a result. there are numerous photographs of creameries. powdered milk producers. and cheese factories located along the line. There are also some great photographs of large factories that produced products like abrasive files and piano keys.Like many short line railroads in the early Twentieth Century. the lines profits were based on incoming shipments of raw materials like cattle feed and farm implements. and outgoing finished products. Modelers looking for signs reflecting a vanished area will find many in the pages of this book.Contributing to the lines appeal is the variety of equipment from its larger connecting railroads it connected with. and often detoured over its tracks.Finally. amateur historians interested in visually tracking the changes that have taken place in American. and. especially. upper New York State towns will also appreciate Douglas Barberios Middletown and Unionville Railroad. Its rather disturbing. in fact. to look at photographs of once-prosperous factories and industries that once provided employment for hundreds of area residents. and realize that none of the industries survive today.I was fortunate to receive a pre-publication review copy of The Middletown and Unionville Railroad. but. having spent several pleasant hours with it. I would have gladly paid for it. Its a fine volume and an excellent value.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent History of the Middletown Unionville RailroadBy Randy StoneThis is an excellent history of the small Middletown Unionville Railroad. Predecessor of the Middletown New Jersey Railway. Doug Barberio did an excellent job of recapping the history of this small railroad in an "Images of Rail publication. The photos are sharp with captions very well written and knowledgeable. They take the reader through the 140 plus years of a resolute little railroad. Doug starts out with locomotives. equipment and then continues on down the line. station by station. from Middletown to Unionville. The last few chapters cover the Middletown New Jersey Railway with its connections to the New York Susquehanna Railroad and Sussex. New Jersey which is the end of the line for the NYSW Hanford Branch. Many of the photos have not been seen before. I highly recommend this publication to all general history and the railroad fans. - R. Stone
