Picture Source: Wikipedia

By the late 1700s and early 1800s, English settlers made their way into Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley first with the use of packed horses, then by carts and wagons a few years later.

In 1801, James Caldwell was the first to travel by water, when he paddled his boat up the Mahoning River.

Joseph G. Butler, The History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Vol. 1, 1921, 754.

In 1817, the first stage coach in the Mahoning Valley appeared and was later expanded to Poland in 1824. Eventually, the line extended in all directions across the valley.

Joseph G. Butler, The History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Vol. 1, 1921, 755.

The early roads in the valley, known as turnpikes, were constructed as semi-private enterprises (paid by stock subscriptions) and consisted of heavy planks set on top of wooden sills. The roads were later taken over by the counties and states for improvements.

The first turnpike in the valley was the Ashtabula Turnpike, completed in 1818. It ran from Wellsville to Ashtabula, becoming known as the Warren-Ashtabula Turnpike. The turnpike was part of the Underground Railroad. Today, the turnpike is known as Mahoning Avenue (State Rt. 45).

Joseph G. Butler, The History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Vol. 1, 1921, 755.

"Flashback Minis: Warren Ashtabula Turnpike Ledger," Business Journal, October 23, 2020.

Constructed around 1835/40, the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal extended from Akron, Ohio to Mahoningtown, Pennsylvania, and flowed through numerous cities, such as Loweville, Struthers, Youngstown, Girard, Niles, and Warren. The canal was used for the transportation of people as well as coal, pig iron, iron ore, and other materials.

With the utilization of more railroads, the canal was used to supply limestone to Youngstown iron mills as the iron industry was booming. In 1872, the canal was abandoned, and closed in 1877. Its path was filled in and covered by railroad tracks.

Joseph G. Butler, The History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Vol. 1, 1921, 752-767.

Andrew Olson, "Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal (1827 - 1875)," Trumbull County Historical Society.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was constructed in 1828 and became America's largest railroad by 1915. It later expanded to west Chicago and south to St. Louis. It was acquired by the Chesapeake Ohio Railway Company in 1963, then later dissolved in 1987.

“Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,” Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, Case Western Reserve University.

The Pittsburgh, Youngstown, and Ashtabula Railroad, formed in 1853, initially transported coal to Ashtabula. A contract was made with the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railroad Company to connect Youngstown with the Ashtabula harbor. The Pittsburgh, Youngstown, and Ashtabula Railroad was used to deliver coal for the blast furnaces in Youngstown, Warren, and New Castle. The railroad later served as passenger transportation.

Richard K. Fleischer, "Pittsburgh, Youngstown, and Ashtabula Railroad," Trumbull County Historical Society.

The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railroad, developed in 1856, was controlled by the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1869 to 1871, then again from 1916-1968. In 1998, the railroad was bought by Conrail, which divided the line in Crestline, Ohio. After, the railroad became operated by various companies, such as RailAmerica, CSX, and Norfolk Southern.

“Guide to the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railway Company (Pittsburgh, Pa),” Historic Pittsburgh.

Built in 1856, the Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad offered a short, quick route between Cleveland and Youngstown. A branch to Hubbard was added shortly after. In 1862, the Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad was leased for 99 years to the Atlantic and Great Western Railway.

Joseph G. Butler, The History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Vol. 1, 1921, 760- 761.

The Liberty and Vienna Railroad, developed in 1868, was an extension of the Church Hill Mining Company's tracks to carry coal to Vienna. In 1870, the railroad extended from Girard to Youngstown. This route was taken over by the Pittsburgh, Youngstown, and Ashtabula Railroad.

In 1872, the Liberty and Vienna Railroad merged with the Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad and the Niles and New Lisbon Railroad to create the Cleveland and Mahoning Valley Railroad. The railroad later served as passenger transportation.

The Liberty and Vienna Railroad closed in 1899.

"Liberty and Vienna Railroad," Trumbull County Historical Society.

The Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad, developed in 1875, transported coal, iron ore, limestone, iron and steel to various industrial companies. In 1887, it became a subsidiary of the New York Central Railroad. Between 1910 and 1941, the railroad offered passenger service. The railroad was bought by CSX and later closed in 1985.

"Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad," Great Allegheny Passage.

The Youngstown and Southern Railway, owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad and Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad, was a steam line between Youngstown and Columbiana. In 1906, the railroad line extended to Leetonia. Until 1944, the railroad also offered passenger service. In 2006, the name changed to Youngstown Southeastern Railroad. It came under ownership of the Indiana Boxcar Company until 2019, when it was sold to Midwest and Bluegrass Rail.

"Youngstown and Southeastern Railroad," Wikipedia.

Joseph G. Butler, The History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Vol. 1, 1921, 371.

With the idea of connecting Akron to Youngstown and Canton (the three big industry cities in Northeast Ohio), the Akron, Canton, and Youngstown Railroad was developed in 1907. However, it only connected one city in its charter.

The railroad became a successful terminal road. In 1964, the railroad was sold to Norfolk and Western. In 1982, its corporate name was dissolved.

Adam Burns, "Akron, Canton & Youngstown Railroad: 'Ohio's Road of Service,'" American Rails.