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said $10,000 would be spent building the recreation area on the banks of the Wallkill River. It was expected to attract people "for miles around," and efforts would be made to "attract New York people here."
Several days later, negotiations between the 0 & W and the Traction Co. were concluded which resulted in locating the trolley's power house, repair, and storage facilities on Low Avenue behind the 0 & W's Wickham Avenue depot. Ground was broken for the power house, November 20th. John A. Lovely was the contractor for the 49 by 150 foot structure.
Three trolley cars arrived April 21, 1894, with three open cars arriving May 5th. On that date, a test run was made, but not without incident. On James Street, a team of horses pulling a wagon became frightened, resulting in a minor injury to one horse, a slightly dented trolley car, and a wrecked wagon. Trolley service in Middletown was inaugurated on the evening of May 7, 1894. City officials, special guests, and reporters inspected the line and company facilities on Low Avenue. After this, a banquet was held at the Russell House on James Street.
Regular service began May 8th, with 15 minute service. About 12,000 people rode the cars during the first week of operation. Construction of other parts of the line continued. By August 7, tracks had been laid down East Main Street into Mechanicstown to just before the bridge over Masonic Brook (this is the stream before Dunning Road). On August 9th, rails reached what is now Golf Links Road. The bridge across the Wa11ki11 was completed and the first car reached the park August 12, 1894. Midway Park was opposite what is now the golf club and was a popular place to go to during the summer months. A small portion of the trolley bridge still survives on the golf club side of the river.
Midway Park was formally opened August 25th. Nearly 10,000 people attended. The park was named as it was about half way between Middletown and Goshen. Service to Goshen was begun November 28, 1894. Meanwhile, back in town, Work on the State Hospital branch began August 24, 1894. Construction for this line started at North and Wickham, proceeding up Wickham to West Main, and from there to Bonnell Street. This point had been reached by September 12, 1894, with no further work done until August 29, 1895 when tracklaying proceeded up Bonnell Street. From there it turned onto olive Street ( Bonnell Place) and by September 25th had reached Columbia Park (Fancher-Davidge) on Lake Avenue, opposite olivero Avenue. Also by that date, abutments for the Oliver Avenue Bridge had been completed.
Due to problems between the Erie and the firm building the bridge, the line wasn't completed until late in December, 1895. Finally, on the 22nd, the first car ran across the bridge to the end of the State Hospital line, which was at the end of Oliver Avenue. A small shelter was constructed opposite Oliver Avenue on Monhagen Avenue. Plans to extend the line to the front of the