New York subway founder honoured in hometown

ONE of Strabane’s most famous sons - Alexander Ector Orr known as the 'Father of the New York Subway' - has been honoured with the unveiling of a blue plaque in his hometown.

The plaque was unveiled by Deputy Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Alderman Darren Guy, and is located at Bowling Green.

Mr Orr is one of five individuals to be commemorated in the second series of Ulster History Circle blue plaques to be funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council.

He is best known for his lead role in the foundation of the New York subway system which opened on October 27, 1904, after a construction period of four years.

Largely forgotten in Ulster History, many people will have never heard of the man but at some time in their lives they may have, or will travel on the subway.

However, the story of his life begins in Strabane.

Alexander Ector Orr was born on March 2, 1831, at Bowling Green, to William Orr and his wife Mary Moore.

The houses at Bowling Green were mainly for the merchants of the town and many of the houses still remain to this day.

Sadly, Alexander’s home was demolished many years ago, a large Victorian three-story house, complete with coach houses, stabling and offices.

Alexander was one of ten children whose father owned grain stores, yards and land in the Main Street, Strabane.

An early premature death in 1835 of William saw the family leaving the town and moving to Londonderry where his mother Mary had relatives.

Later Alexander’s sister was to marry the son of the Mayor of Londonderry, John Munn.

In 1851,19-year-old Alexander immigrated to the east coast of America, before finally settling in New York. Obtaining a position with one of the largest grain dealers, David Dows & Co, and eventually became partner in the company, success followed success and by 1887 he was President of the Produce Exchange and Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.

This extremely talented and hard-working Strabane man, the type of immigrant who helped to make America great, had amassed a fortune for his endeavours and lived on Ramsen Avenue in Brooklyn which was described as a landmark property.

His knowledge and ability were sought by many banks, insurance companies and railways and at one time, he was on the board of some 29 companies giving conscientious service to each.

1894 saw Orr elected President of the new Rapid Transport Commission and he served on this board until 1907.

During this time, plans were created for a subway system which Alexander strongly advocated.

It was natural that he elected to finance and oversee the building of the New York subway system in 1904.

The initial 9.1 mile-long line ran from City Hall in lower Manhattan to 145th Street and Broadway in Harlem.

With 481 stations and 237 miles of track- reported to be the safest passenger underground system in the world - at the age of 83, Alexander Ector Orr died leaving a vast fortune of about 10 million dollars with bequests to nephews in Londonderry and various organisations in America.

The day after his death on June 3, 1914, the NY Public Service Committee unanimously passed a minute that the name of Mr Orr would "always be linked with the development of rapid transit facilities in New York."

His portrait hangs in the New York Chamber of Commerce as a tribute to the Ulsterman whose enthusiasm and drive did so much for New York.

To quote the newspapers in 1974, 60 years after his death in 1914 - Alexander Ector Orr -‘The Tyrone man who put New York on the right rails’.

Speaking after the unveiling, Alderman Guy said: “The blue plaque is a wonderful way to celebrate our links with the US and to highlight the important role that many local people played in the foundation of the nation.

Alexander Ector Orr was hugely significant in the development of the New York transport network, and he should be remembered here in his home town where I hope more people will now find out about his significant achievements.”

There are currently five other blue plaques located in Strabane honouring George Sigerson, Ezekiel J. Donnell, Annie Russell Maunder, William Starrat and Brian O’Nolan.

Chairman of the Ulster History Circle, Chris Spurr, said: “Alexander Ector Orr is known as ‘the Father of the New York Subway’ for arranging the financing and construction of this major rapid transport system which opened almost 120 years ago in October 1904.

"The Ulster History Circle is pleased to commemorate this prominent New York businessman and financier with a blue plaque near his birthplace at Bowling Green.

"The Circle is grateful to Derry City and Strabane District Council for their financial support towards the plaque, and to Strabane Credit Union for their kind assistance."