Maywood Historical Group
Sidney Center was well known throughout the country for its railroad trestles, one being 96 feet above the
ground and spanning 1220 feet from one hill to another. There was also a shorter trestle 800 feet long over Depot Street, both partially encircling the village. The railroad was completed through Sidney center and the first train crossed the trestle in November 1871. It faithfully served the community with a few lapses from time to time when there were financial problems and changes in ownership. The trains transported milk and farm products, freight, mail and passengers. The railroad called the station "Maywood" rather than Sidney Center to differentiate it from Sidney. Blueprints and newspaper items reveal that the center portion of the building is the original Depot and that it was enlarged and remodeled in 1917, by additions at each end.
After discontinuance of the railroad, the trestles were taken down about 1961. The tracks were removed and the railroad right-of-way sold, including the Depot, which was purchased by Jess F. Howes, a local businessman. After his death, his daughter, Betty Jean Hunt and her husband, Bill, obtained the Depot property from the estate. They donated it to the Historical Group in July 1990 in Memory of her parents, Jess F. and Elgia Howes, and her brother, Jack.
The historical Group which had been organized in 1985 incorporated as Maywood 
Historical Group of Sidney Center, Inc., a New York Non-Profit Corporation, in 1990. The goal of the Group is to update and preserve all historical matter relating to Sidney Center., so the Depot was restored. The station had been abandoned for many years and was renovated with fund-raising proceeds, memorials, donations of money and materials, grants and many hours of volunteer labor. In the Spring of 1992, the outside of the Depot was stained and painted the original O&W colors with a donation by Dave & Harriet Downin in Memory of his parents, Harry & Ruth Downin.
The depot is now the headquarters of the Maywood Historical Group, which has a membership of 200 +. The Group meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7pm at the Depot.
Black & White trestle photo courtesy of Joe Bux & Depot Attic. Maywood Station photo, O&W Archives. Color photo courtesy of the Mayood Historical Group.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HIKE OR THE MAYWOOD HISTORICAL GROUP PLEASE CONTACT DARRYL LOKER
Visitors and new members are always welcome!
Memorial- Labor Day Weekends
Every Sunday Night
Ice Cream Socials 7-9 PM
Tuesdays 10 AM - 4 PM
SATURDAYS 10 AM - 1 PM
Also open Sept - May Saturdays (weather permitting)
Membership Dues
Single $2.00 - Couple $3.00 - Life(single or couple) $ 25.00
Send to:
Maywood Historical Group
P.O. Box 298
Sidney Center, NY 13839
