Sign 1:  ES&N Traction Line – May 22, 1911

The Evansville Suburban & Newburgh railroad was formed in 1887, and early on made 5 round trips per day for passengers between Newburgh and Evansville. Commercial loads were also transported, particularly coal.  The first locomotives were small “dummy” steam engines which were replaced in 1905 with electrified trolleys as shown in the photograph taken near State Street looking west along Water Street. The sign “Baseball today Pottery Grounds” refers to open land across from Crown Pottery in Evansville near Division St. and Kentucky Ave. It had a baseball diamond where semi-pro teams played (the Crescent Cubs defeated the B Bs for the city championship in 1911) and open fields where travelling circuses performed.  The present Newburgh ES&N Station was built in 1912 and served the trolley line that ran down Water Street. The trolley was closed in 1930 when it was replaced by bus service.  The building has been used as a residence and as offices since then.