Research


Scope and Content Note

This series consists of thirty-six bound volumes and one unbound volume of official orders issued by various predecessor departments, divisions and bureaus of the present Department of Transportation. The bulk of the series consists of thirty-one volumes of official orders of the New York State Commission of Highways. These orders date from May 2, 1913 through December 30, 1922, and deal with the repair, maintenance and construction of county and state highways and bridges, appropriations, agreements and contracts, appointments, contract cancellations, grade crossing eliminations, salary increases, permits, plans, resolutions and bids pertaining to these infrastructures. The four volumes entitled "Minutes of Executive Session" of the State Commission of Highways relate to these orders. While differently titled, the minute volumes contain the same information as the "Official Orders" volumes. There are also two volumes of orders not related to highways. One volume pertains to official orders of the Commissioner of Canals and Waterways, dated March 22, 1927 to October 16, 1929, while the other volume (unbound) deals with officials' orders regarding bridges. These orders, dating from January 12, 1929 to December 23, 1930, were issued by the Division of Highways within the Department of Public Works.