Historic Trolley Rails Found During Madison Center Project Construction

MADISON, CT — While construction crews were removing the pavement to install the new crosswalk across Route 1 in front of the post office this spring they made a historic discovery.

The crews uncovered railroad tracks, running underneath Route 1, which were the old trolley tracks that once ran through Madison, according to Ryan Duques, chairman of the Madison Economic Development Commission.

According to the Madison Historical Society’s website: Around 1900, the Shore Line Electric railway laid track from Stony Creek to Chester. The trolleys, which carried up to 40 passengers, made stops in Madison at East River, in the center of town, and at Hammonasset State Park. Along with the tourists, suburbia arrived in town.

The find did not disrupt construction progress, which is slated to be complete by July 4, according to Duques.

PHOTO 1: Construction crews discovered 100-year-old trolley tracks on Route 1 in front of Walker Loden, across from the Post Office. The tracks had been covered by over a foot of asphalt over the years. Photo by Derek Jackson

PHOTO 2: A trolley passes in front of the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library in the early 19th century. Courtesy of Charlotte L. Evarts Memorial Archives, Inc. Madison, CT http://www.evartsarchives.org