Early Streetcar History
Horse-Drawn Streetcar Electric Streetcar
HORSE-DRAWN STREETCAR
1867-1889
Planning stages began on the Alton–Upper Alton Horse Streetcar (or
railroad) in 1865. The rail system, driven by horsepower, would
mostly benefit Upper Alton trade, and the citizens and leaders there
were highly motivated. W. T. Miller, Chairman of the Exchange
Committee, was appointed to explore the cost of the railroad.
Thirty-seven thousand dollars was needed to complete the line. In
December 1866, a meeting was held to discuss the plans for the
railroad, and W. T. Miller reported the cost, excluding grading
which was already completed, would be from $10,000 to $18,000 per
mile. In March 1867, the recently incorporated firm of the Alton and
Upper Alton Horse Railway Company met, and Cyrus Edwards was elected
President, with James N. Morgan, Secretary. Charles E. Hall, H. N.
Kendall, and W. T. Miller were appointed to have the charter
published in the Alton Telegraph. The charter would be void if the
road was not completed within two years. By April 1867, $6,000 had
been subscribed in Upper Alton for the cost of the railroad. An
office for the company was opened in the Alton City Hall, and it was
determined that the starting point of the road would be on Broadway,
directly opposite the city hall at Broadway and Market Streets. The
road would then run east on Broadway to Washington Avenue, then
north on Washington Avenue to Upper Alton.
The work on the horse railroad began in August 1867. The rails were
ordered from the Fort Pitt Iron Works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
and the ties from St. Louis. However, the rails were delayed, and
didn’t arrive until October 03, 1867. A force of between 75 and 100
hands were hired, with Captain Hall superintending the construction.
The railroad was completed by December 1867, and a large festival
and supper was held at the Alton House, in honor of its completion.
The festival was attended by citizens from Alton and Upper Alton,
and was presided by Cyrus Edwards. Toasts were presented in honor of
Mr. Edwards and Mr. Clawson, who worked diligently to complete the
railroad. The editors of the Alton Telegraph took their first trip
to Upper Alton on the horse railroad on December 13, 1867. The long
hill on Washington Avenue was ascended without difficulty, and at
the Upper Alton station (at Broadway and Washington), they
encountered a side switch to enable cars to pass each other. The
tracks ended at Hewit’s Store at Merchant Street (College Avenue) in
Upper Alton, but track was being laid further to the post office,
which was the terminus of the road. Returning to Alton, there was
standing room only in the car.
A flat-roofed brick car barn was constructed on the west side of
Manning Street (later called 1628 Washington) in Upper Alton. The
horsecars came from Coan and Tenbrocke in Chicago. Mules were kept
in the basement.
Horsecars were making fifteen trips a day, with forty-five-minute
service. In October, a one-mile extension from Manning (College
Avenue) and Bostwick to Seminary Street at Shurtleff College was
opened. In 1869, the company had two open, and four closed
horsecars, and twenty-four horses. However, passenger traffic
dropped off, and all service was discontinued early in 1869, and not
resumed until October 01, 1873. By 1886, the company was operating
2.75 miles of trackage, with four horsecars and twenty horses.
The Alton Improvement Association was organized on March 25, 1887,
in order to extend horsecar service to the Middletown area of Alton.
Construction began on that second line between Alton and Upper Alton
in March 1888, under the direction of William Huskinson. This line
began at Broadway and Market, crossed Third Street, following a
terrace the company constructed since a portion of Market Street was
too narrow for a car line. The line turned the corner at Sixth and
Market, and went to Alby, then to Twelfth Street, Henry, Fifteenth,
Liberty, Grove, and Central Avenue. Because the unpaved streets were
so steep, the company had to lay planks between the rails, so that
the horses could obtain their footing. Two Pullman-built,
single-truck horsecars were purchased, with the carbarn and stable
located in Middletown. The first trip over the new trackage was on
August 4, 1888. Two horsecars were purchased from the Pullman Palace
Car Company, and arrived on August 17. After several test trips on
August 21, regular horsecar service began the next day using mules.
In March 1889, a 1.5-mile extension was constructed on Franklin,
then via private right-of-way through the woods to Shields Branch
Creek, north along the creek to Staunton Street (later renamed
College Avenue), and east on Staunton into Upper Alton. In order to
improve service, two yellow painted steam dummy locomotives
(lettered "Middletown Railway") were ordered from the Baldwin
Locomotive Works for $7,000, which arrived on June 4. Two
eighteen-foot double truck enclosed trailer cars were ordered from
the St. Louis Car Company, which arrived on July 10. An inaugural
trip carrying 747 passengers operated over the completed trackage on
July 11. The equipment was placed into regular service to Upper
Alton on August 11, carrying 800 passengers on the first trip. In
December, a loop was installed at Shurtleff College at the top of
the line to facilitate the turning of equipment.
On June 13, 1889, another loop was quickly built at the foot of
Market Street in Alton to allow both lines to reach the Alton Union
Depot on the riverfront. A carbarn was located on the private
right-of-way west of Franklin. In its first year of operation, the
Middletown line carried 67,000 passengers. In 1890, the horsecar
line transported 200,000 passengers, and the steam dummy line
transported 164,108 passengers. In December of 1892, the company was
reorganized and plans were developed to electrify the lines. By
1893, the horsecar line had 3.25 miles of trackage, seven horsecars
and twenty-six horses, while the steam dummy line had two steamers
and two cars. The company, however, lacked funds to complete planned
extensions.
In 1893, Joseph F. Porter, took over the Alton electric light and
gas plant, naming his new company the Alton Railway and Illuminating
Company. He made plans to increase the powerhouse to adequately
serve Alton, and invested all his money into the effort. Work on
rebuilding the trackage and electrifying the lines began in May
1895. A contract was awarded to the White-Crosby Company, which
sublet portions of the contract and ordered new streetcars.
Construction was completed in August, with the first five, light
yellow with red trim painted streetcars being received from the St.
Louis Car Company on August 26, 1895. An old firehouse on Market
Street was purchased, with the second floor used as the company’s
office, and the first floor used as a passenger waiting room.
Regular streetcar service began on both lines on August 31, with two
trips per hour being made both ways on the Middletown line, and on
the Broadway line, operating every fifteen minutes to Bozzatown
(near Washington Avenue), and every half hour to Upper Alton.
The trackage reconstruction contract was awarded in April 1895 to
the White-Crosby Company, which sublet portions of the contract and
ordered new streetcars. Construction was completed in August, with
the first five light yellow with red trim painted streetcars being
received from the St. Louis Car Company on August 26. An old fire
house on Market Street was purchased, with the second floor becoming
the Company's office and the first floor becoming a passenger
waiting room. Regular streetcar service began on both lines on
August 31, with two trips per hour being made both ways on the
Middletown line and on the Second Street line, operating every
fifteen minutes to Bozzatown and every half hour to Upper Alton. The
electrification of the Highland Park line into Upper Alton was
completed in October. In 1896, Mr. Porter purchased grounds near
Upper Alton, and developed it into Rock Spring Park. He extended his
electric railway system from Middletown and Upper Alton into the
park, bringing in visitors from all over the surrounding area.
In February 1896, the company petitioned for a franchise for the
North Alton line. Construction of the North Alton line began in
April on State, Beacon, Fourth and Piasa, crossing the Chicago and
Alton Railroad at Third, and on to Market Street. In April
construction also began on the powerhouse extension. Streetcar
service on the North Alton began operating on May 30, 1896 with over
1,200 passengers riding the line on the first day. That route was
combined with the Middletown line, with all lines being single track
with turnouts. On June 1, 1896 streetcars began operating on the
Alton to Upper Alton line over the private right-of-way through Rock
Spring Park; electrification of that line, including new streetcars.
A siding was installed on State Street, allowing streetcars to go to
Upper Alton via Broadway, and in August a siding was installed on
Henry Street on the Middletown line in order to further improve
service. By the end of 1896, the company had nine miles of track,
ten streetcars and four trailers, and two steam dummies.
Earnings of $61,736 in 1898 were inadequate, and the company was
sold at a foreclosure sale in 1899, becoming the Alton Railway, Gas
and Electric Company, which was incorporated on August 8, 1899. That
company began purchasing all the gas and electric utility companies
in Alton. The line on Union Street was constructed in 1899.
Construction of the Sixth Street line and a new seven-track carbarn,
capable of holding twenty-eight streetcars, at Seventh and Market
Streets began in March 1900.
Electric streetcars began operating on the Market Street line on May
26. In June, the sixth dynamo was received at the powerhouse, and in
October construction began on another powerhouse addition. The steam
dummies were sold to a logging camp in Pearl River County at
Ellisville, Mississippi, and shipped in September of 1900 and March
of 1901. By 1901, the company operated 12.5 miles of trackage with
eighteen streetcars. When the new carbarn was opened for service in
February of 1901, the old Highland Park car barn became a storage
facility for old equipment. Five new streetcars were received in
April, with the old streetcars being rebuilt. In 1901, earnings were
$61,913. On January 25, 1902, the streetcar men formed a local
union.
The Alton and East Alton Railway Light and Power Company was
chartered in 1898 with the intent of building a line to the suburban
town of East Alton. The company was incorporated in February 1899.
After obtaining the necessary franchises, it was reorganized as the
Alton and East Alton Railway and Passenger Company, incorporated in
1901. Construction of the one-mile East Alton line from Washington
Street to Milton Road, to serve the Federal Lead Company on
Broadway, began in April of 1902, with streetcar service beginning
on January 1, 1903.
The company was merged to form the Alton Light and Traction Company,
which was incorporated on August 10, 1903. On August 15, the old
Middletown car barn was destroyed by fire, including the six
horsecars stored inside. By 1904 the company operated sixteen miles
of trackage with eighteen streetcars (and eight horses for several
horsecars). Eventually all the remaining horsecars were phased out.
The Alton, Granite and St. Louis Traction Company was organized on
September 8, 1904, by purchasing the Alton Light and Traction
Company. The company built several interurban lines between East St.
Louis, Edwardsville, Granite City and Alton, using Broadway as the
entrance into Alton for its interurbans. By 1905, the extra traffic
forced the company to double-track Broadway, and on January 7, 1906,
regular half-hour service to East Alton was begun. The company had
its second carbarn at Yeager Park at Federal (Cut Street) and Milton
(East Broadway), and the Alton Powerhouse had a 500kw rotary for the
local streetcar system as well as generating power for lighting and
hot water heat.
In March of 1906, a decision was made to change the paint scheme of
all streetcars to yellow. In April, control of the company passed
into the hands of the East St. Louis and Suburban Company, resulting
in more changes. Work immediately began on installing heavier rail
on the Broadway trackage. In May, large, twelve-bench open
streetcars from East St. Louis began operating on Broadway for the
summer.
On October 01, 1906, there was a rerouting of all lines in order to
improve service. The North Alton to Upper Alton streetcars were
operated via the Middletown line instead of via Broadway, with
twenty minute service during the day and ten minute service in rush
hours. Streetcars on Broadway were operated to Upper Alton via
Washington; Union Street became a shuttle from Sixth and Alby
Streets to Second and Shields Street.
Generally, service was greatly improved, with owl streetcars being
inaugurated on all lines on September 18, 1906. On November 30, the
Upper Alton trackage on Washington Avenue was extended from Bostwick
Street to Salu Street. During January 1907, some larger streetcars
were transferred from Granite City to Alton and rebuilt before being
placed into service. The village of North Alton was annexed into
Alton on April 29, 1907. In September and October, several large,
closed streetcars arrived from East St. Louis for use on the
Middletown line. By March 1908, the Middletown line had fifteen
minute service and the Wood River refinery line had thirty minute
service. By 1912, the city of Alton insisted that all lines be
operated with double-truck streetcars because of overcrowding, and
as a result, ten new double-truck PAYE streetcars were ordered in
February 1913 from the American Car Company for the Alton local
lines. Those new streetcars were placed into service in October on
the Middletown, Union Street and Second Street lines.
On January 10, 1913, the Alton and Eastern Electric Railway was
organized as a subsidiary of the AG&SLTC to construct a two-mile
extension of the Middletown line on College Avenue to the new
Illinois State Hospital for the Insane. The extension was to be
built as part of a contract to provide electricity to the hospital;
however, when the State of Illinois cancelled the contract, trackage
was only built to Wood River Creek. Streetcar service began on the
extension on September 20, 1918.
The company was hard hit by the inflationary period of World War I.
The local lines began using skip-stop service, but the city council
objected and required the resumption of full service after the war.
Wartime wage hikes resulted in a fare increase from five to seven
cents in 1918 and eight cents in March of 1920. In an attempt to
reduce costs, ten new single-truck one-man Birney streetcars were
ordered and all remaining streetcars were converted to one-man
operation. In 1919, even though the company earned $40,000 over
operating expenses, the company began to encounter financial
problems. The February and August 1920 interest payments were
defaulted, and the bondholders put the company into receivership in
August. On September 1, fares were raised to ten cents.
The receiver said that all available funds would be used to improve
the property, and $80,000 was used for repair work and to pay for
the previously ordered Birney streetcars for Alton. In May 1921 the
court made permanent the temporary receivership under which the
company was being operated. When received, two Birney streetcars
were put on the Broadway line in April, three on the State Street
line on May 23, and four on the through routed State Street-Upper
Alton line on June 15. The leased East St. Louis streetcars were
then returned, with the ten double truck PAYE streetcars and the
Birney streetcars holding down all remaining service. Extensive
improvements were made, with $150,000 in track renewal on State,
Third, Piasa and Broadway. For August, the company made $300 because
of one-man streetcars.
With the increased use of private automobiles and concrete highways,
earning were down. Inroads were also being made by competing bus
lines. By 1935 the system was operating only eight Birney streetcars
over 13.8 miles of trackage. In the Spring of 1936, the company
notified the city of Alton that it intended to surrender its
operating rights because of continued losses. After monthly losses
reached $500, the company on April 20, 1936 petitioned the Illinois
Commerce Commission to abandon all service. The company suggested
that the city secure a successor, and as an aid deeded to the city
all rails, ties and support structures on the remaining 10.73 miles
of trackage. After approval was granted to terminate all service on
July 19, the last streetcar operated on August 27, 1936. The company
was immediately dissolved, and buses of the Alton City Lines took
over local transportation the next day. All remaining electrical
equipment and the overhead wires were removed and scrapped.
ELECTRIC STREETS CARS THROUGHOUT MADISON COUNTY
Since about 1900, the system of transportation by electric roads
made great progress in Madison County. By 1912, there were five
electric lines in the county – Alton, Granite & St. Louis, operated
about sixty miles of track, including the street lines in the city
of Alton. This includes branch line from Mitchell to Edwardsville.
The Alton, Jacksonville & Peoria was completed nearly to Jerseyville
by 1912. Five miles of the road were in operation since 1907 from
Alton to Godfrey.
The East St. Louis & Suburban, operated from East St. Louis via
Collinsville, to Edwardsville, sixteen miles.
The Edwardsville Beltline operated in Edwardsville.
The St. Louis, Springfield & Peoria, thirty-one miles in Madison
County, passed through Edwardsville.
The total mileage of electric lines in Madison County in 1912 was
about 130 miles.
NEW STREET RAILROAD TO MIDDLETOWN
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, May 28, 1888
Work on the new street railroad to Middletown commenced this
morning, at the corner of Sixth and Alby Streets, under the
supervision of Mr. William Huskinson and Engineer George Dickson.
Director H. R. Phinney was present, representing the Alton
Improvement Association, the projectors of the enterprise, and
inaugurated the work by striking the first pick into the ground.
After which, a full force of laborers with pick and shovel fell to
work along the line which occupies the middle of the street. By
noon, the track was laid on Alby, one square from Sixth Street to
Seventh. The rails and ties are on the ground along the route, and
the work of track laying will be pushed forward as rapidly as men
and money can do it.
The building of this road means the beginning of a new era of local
development by our own citizens, which will be of immense advantage.
When the moneyed citizens of a town show that they have faith in its
future, it will not be long before outside capitalists will be of
the same opinion, and send their means here for investment.
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, May 31, 1888
The tracklayers on the new street railroad have advanced as far as
Tenth Street. So far, they have laid one square per day.
STREET RAILROAD
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, July 7, 1888
The street railroad is making steady progress. The track is now laid
as far as the residence of Dr. McKinney in Middletown, and will be
continued onto the forty-acre tract owned by the Improvement
Association. The continuation of the road to the glass works this
season depends upon the action of the council in grading North
Street. Work on the Market Street terrace is progressing slowly. The
association have their ties on the ground, and will commence track
laying on Market Street as soon as the city has the terrace ready.
The road will be completed by about the first of August.
STREET RAILWAY TO BE COMPLETED
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, July 21, 1888
The street railway will be finished, it is thought, in two weeks.
The company will first use horsepower, and afterwards decide as to
whether electricity or some other motor will be called into
requisition.
STREET RAILWAY
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, July 31, 1888
The track of the new street railroad is now laid from the city hall
to the tract of the Improvement Association on Common Street in
Middletown. But while the iron is all down, the roadbed is not yet
finished. A part of the planking on the sides is yet incomplete, and
a portion of space between the rails is yet to be covered with
screenings. The track is being laid in the most substantial manner,
and when the work is completed, the road will be one of the best in
the country.
STREET RAILROAD
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, August 4, 1888
A trial trip will be made on the new street railway this afternoon,
a car having been borrowed of the Upper Alton road for the occasion.
The trip will be a success, the work having been such as to
guarantee that all is in good order. The road will be in full
operation by Monday, August 13. The cars are finished and ready for
shipment to Alton.
NEW CARS FOR STREET RAILROAD
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, August 15, 1888
The cars for the new street railroad arrived yesterday afternoon
from the Pullman Palace Car Works, Chicago. They were inspected by
President Milnor and Secretary Phinney, and were found satisfactory.
They have not yet been transferred from the platform car on which
they arrived.
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, August 17, 1888
Streetcars numbers 1 and 2 of the Middletown Railway were unloaded
this afternoon and hauled to the stables of the company on their
forty-acre tract. They will commence running regularly in a few
days. The cars are beauties, handsome in appearance and fitted up in
elegant style, with all the latest improvements. No. 1 is finished
in cherry, and No. 2 in ash; both have perforated seats, and are as
comfortable as could be desired. President Milnor, Secretary
Phinney, and Mr. Huskinson were on hand to superintend the transfer
of the cars to the new road.
MIDDLETOWN STREET RAILWAY
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, December 20, 1888
Tomorrow is the winding up of the fourth month since the Middletown
railroad has been in operation. The cars have carried over 20,000
passengers in that time. The business, as cold weather sets in,
seems to be increasing. The success of the road has been remarkable
and beyond all expectations.
Railway men from different parts of the country say that this is the
finest built road of any in a town of the same size in the United
States. Outside of the weight of the cars, which is excessive,
everything runs very smoothly. The untiring efforts of the officers
of the road, backed by the cooperation of the efficient Board of
Directors, has made failure an impossibility. The company is now
testing the heating apparatus, and expect soon to have the cars as
“warm as toast.”
STREET RAILWAY EXTENSION
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 21, 1889
The Directors of the Alton Improvement Association held a meeting,
and decided to extend their Middletown Street railroad direct from
its present terminus at Highland Park to Upper Alton. The extension
will run through the grounds of the company and the premises of Mrs.
G. S. Kellenberger and William Eliot Smith, to Shields’ Branch,
thence enter Upper Alton from the west on Edwards Street. Further
than this, the Directors decided to discard horsepower and
substitute steam motors therefor. The extension will be commenced
immediately. The motors, two in number, have been ordered from the
Baldwin Locomotive Works, and will be ready about May 1.
STREET RAILWAY
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 28, 1889
The Alton and Upper Alton Street Railway Company are tearing up the
old rails from Dr. Burnap’s corner to the Baptist Church, and are
putting in new ties and new rails. This company is making some grand
improvements in their road, they are going to put in another side
track or switch near Oliver B. Ground’s place. They are making
preparations to run cars every fifteen minutes instead of every
hour. This will be very convenient, and will ease their traffic.
This company shipped one of their cars to St. Louis to have it
rebuilt and ready for the spring traveling.
STREET CAR EXTENSION
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 02, 1889
Grading on the extension of the Middletown Railway is in progress
all the way from Common Street to Shields’ Branch. Some very heavy
grading has been done, and several culverts put in. The bridge piers
at Shields’ Branch are in process of construction. The bridge will
be 27 feet above the bed of the creek. Over 300 feet of trestle work
will be required in the creek bottom. The steepest grade west of the
creek will not exceed four feet in one hundred, and east of the
creek not over six feet to the hundred. Mr. William Huskinson is in
charge of the work, and has a large force of men and teams at work
with wagons, plows, and wheel scrapers. The length of the road from
city hall to where it crosses the other street railroad in Upper
Alton is a trifle over three miles. The route through Middletown and
across through Highland Park, the Kellenberger and Smith tracts, and
thence to Upper Alton is a most delightful and romantic one.
STEAM MOTORS ARRIVED FOR STREET RAILWAY
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 6, 1889
The new steam motors for the Middletown Street Railroad arrived here
Tuesday from Philadelphia, coming via Chicago, over the Chicago &
Alton Railroad. They were shipped May 28. They were in charge of Mr.
F. N. Paris of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, where they were built.
The motors were unloaded yesterday, under the supervision of Mr.
William Huskinson, at the foot of Sixth Street. A temporary track
has been laid on Sixth Street, upon which the motors will be run and
connect with the company’s track at the corner of Market Street. The
motors are in reality regular locomotives on a small scale, and are
so enclosed as to resemble ordinary street cars. They are provided
with bell, whistle, and smokestack, but the latter only projects a
few inches above the roof. They weigh 12 tons each, and are built in
a solid and substantial manner. They are guaranteed to haul 20,000
lbs up an 81/2 percent grade, and can haul a less amount up a still
steeper grade. The steam exhausts into the smoke stack. The fuel
used will be coke, which is practically smokeless. Mr. Paris states
that they can be stopped or started as quickly and easily, or more
so than a team of horses. They can be run at a speed of from 12 to
15 miles per hour if desired. They have four wheels, all drivers. In
appearance, they resemble an ordinary streetcar, and they run so
noiselessly, except on up-grades, that it is thought they will not
frighten horses. Only one man is needed to run them.
The coming of the locomotors excited much interests, and a large
crowd was at the freight depot, watching the debarkation. Their
arrival marks a new era in street rail service in Alton. The motors
are painted yellow, and are handsome specimens of workmanship. They
are labeled Middletown Railway, and are numbered 1 and 2. The
Baldwin Locomotive Words’ numbers for them are 9,998 and 9,999. The
cost of the two was $7,000.
ALTON AND UPPER ALTON RAILWAY SOLD
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 13, 1889
The negotiations which have been in progress for some time for the
purchase of the Alton and Upper Alton Street Railway by the Alton
Improvement Association were concluded Thursday. The Improvement
Association has purchased the entire interest of Mrs. N. C. Hatheway
in the Alton and Upper Alton Railroad for the sum of $20,000. The
sale places both street railroads in the hands of the Alton
Improvement Association, and when the extension of the Middletown
Railway to upper Alton is completed, will give them control of
nearly seven miles of track. The Middletown road will be pushed
forward to completion as rapidly as possible. This transfer is the
most important that has taken place here for many years, and will
have an important bearing on the future of the two Altons.
MIDDLETOWN STREET RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 11, 1889
The new cars for the Middletown Railroad arrived here Wednesday
evening from St. Louis, but were not unloaded until the next
morning. They were put on the track at once, and did good service
during the day in carrying excursionists. The new cars are 18 feet
in length, inside measurement, which is much larger than the
ordinary car, and were built by the St. Louis Car Company specially
for use with motors. They have eight wheels, double trucks, and
round the shortest curves on the road with the greatest ease. They
are provided with steam brakes, and can be placed entirely under the
control of the engineer of the motor. They are handsomely finished
in hard wood, have plate glass windows, and are elegantly
upholstered. They are lighted with three lamps. The windows in the
roof are of stained glass. The writer has been on streetcars in
nearly all the leading cities of the country, but has never seen as
elegant and luxurious streetcars as those provided by the Alton
Improvement Association for the comfort and convenience of its
patrons. The new cars are the admiration of all beholders. They are
very easy riding, and glide over the track with no more jar than a
Pullman Palace sleeper. Such cars, with the rapid transit furnished
by the motors, ought to insure the road a splendid run of business.
The patronage yesterday was all that could be desired, the cars
carrying 747 passengers. Each of the new cars will easily carry 100
passengers sitting and standing. They will be heated by steam from
the motors in winter. They cost over $1,000 each. The energetic
Superintendent, Mr. H. R. Phinny, now has them running regularly.
STATE STREET RAILWAY TO NORTH ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 24, 1890
It now seems highly probably that the State Street streetcar railway
will take form. Several meetings of those interested have been held
this week, and it was definitely decided today to organized. The new
company will be known as the Bluff City Street Railway Co., and it
is the intention to use horses, not steam, for the motive power of
the cars. Electric motors may be used in the future, but for the
present, they would be too expensive. Messrs. William Armstrong,
John F. McGinnis, and W. D. Sparks have the matter in hand, and if
the property owners along the line will raise the bonus, a home
company can be readily organized, the railway will be built and
operated, and the western portion of Alton will receive a boom that
will be lively.
STATE STREET RAILWAY, ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 11, 1890
Messrs. Holmes and Rodgers, electric railway experts, arrived in
town Saturday afternoon. They were taken in charge by Messrs. D. R.
Sparks and Superintendent Tracy of the Electric Light Company in
Alton. Messrs. Hart & Son, liverymen, furnished the party with a
carriage, in which they made a tour of the route. They afterwards
went to Upper Alton by the streetcars, returning by the Motor Line.
Mr. Holesm, who is a capitalist of abundant means, is well pleased
with the State Street route, and very freely admitted that he
thought it would make the best paying line in the city. He prefers
it to either of the others. He thinks that electric cars can be
taken up State Street without going around William or other streets.
Electricity will carry cars up a 13 ½ percent grade. He does not
think State Street is a 13 percent grade. He would be willing to buy
the Second Street line, and connect the three Altons by a beltline.
Mr. Holmes, in the organization of his company, will only ask for a
moderate amount of stock to be taken in Alton, for the purpose of
having resident stockholders to protect the company’s interests in
the city. He does not care for any one person having a large amount
of stock. A dozen or so stockholders, each owning a small amount,
would be satisfactory. Mr. Holmes is confident that electric motors
can be readily run on the Middletown route, the sharp curves and
steep grades not being sufficient to interfere with rapid
transportation. Mr. Holmes will have a party of surveyors here in a
few days to survey the State Street route.
Mr. Holmes was assured by gentlemen in Alton that the amount of
stock he wanted taken in Alton could be readily placed. Mr. Tracy,
of the Electric Light Co., hopes to furnish the power to run all the
cars when the change is made.
Mr. Holmes is a representative of the company that owns the electric
lines in St. Louis, Indianapolis, Chicago, and other large cities.
His company also owns the electric roads in Davenport, Moline, Rock
Island, and other cities. The Holmes syndicate is said to be worth
$500,000,000.
The Telegraph has good reasons for believing that the State Street
route will be built this Fall, and that in a short time we will have
electricity on all our streetcar lines.
STATE STREET RAILWAY
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 18, 1890
Messrs. D. R. Sparks and William Armstrong have completed the work
of securing subscriptions to the bonus for the State Street Railway,
and have secured $135 in excess of the amount asked for. They are
entitled to the thanks of every citizen in town, and we have no
doubt they will received the congratulations they have earned. Below
is the list of subscribers:
John E. Hayner $500
William Eliot Smith $500
Richard Garstang $500
David R. Sparks $100
William Armstrong $100
George F. Kirsch $100
C. L. and L. M. Wright $100
Fred Hayden $100
Joseph Krug $100
J. H. Raible $100
R. H. Levis $100
Charles Steizel $50
William A. Haskell $100
R. F. Seeley $50
R. Garstang $50
H. W. Chamberlain $25
C. W. Milnor $25
W. E. Smith $25
W. A. Hildebrand $50
W. B. Pierce $25
A. W. Hope $25
Henry Guest McPike $100
John Davis $25
Goerge M. Ryrie & Co. $25
David Ilch $50
William Leyhe $100
Hosea B. Sparks $25
H. W. Hart $25
H. J. Bowman $50
J. Crowe $40
Charles F. Degenhart $25
George H. Smiley $25
G. F. Roenicke $50
W. H. Bailey $25
J. Q. Burbridge $50
Julia Cabrilliac $50
Chris Mayford $25
Mrs. E. Biggins $50
James Ryan, Bishop of Alton $100
J. W. Coppinger $50
H. A. Sommers $100
L. Davis Jr. $75
Eilert N. Aswege $25
H. Johnson $50
Balser Schiess $150
Lucas Pfeiffenberger $50
F. Worden $25
O. S. Stowell $30
J. J. Brenholt $25
August K. Root $300
William Feldwisch $100
Henry Grensbach $25
John F. McGinnis $25
E. Levis $50
Henry Leyser $25
John Leyser’s estate, per Henry Leyser $25
M. Walter $25
Frank Jissler $20
Tillman Deitz $25
Zephaniah B. Job $25
Newton Parker $25
John Ridd $25
Charles Levis $25
Mrs. George R. Allen $50
M. Wilkinson $25
C. Gruse $25
Peter Henry $25
Julius F. Schneider $20
ELECTRIC STREET RAILWAY COMPANY
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 25, 1890
The organization of the new Electric Street Railway Company is
taking more definite shape each day. Arrangements are being made
looking to the completion of the organization of the company, which
so far as can be learned will soon be completed. Mr. William Tracy,
Superintendent of the Electric Light Company, whom it is understood
will furnish the motive power, has been making some very favorable
progress towards the enlarging of his plant, and has bids on all the
new machinery.
STREETCAR RAILWAY TO NORTH ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 23, 1890
Messrs. Rodgers and McLaran, the electric railway men, said when
here yesterday that they were ready to begin work as soon as Alton
and the village of North Alton had given the right-of-way over the
streets; that contractor Murray had the material ready, and would
commence operations as soon as the legal preliminaries were settled.
It is proposed to run the tracks of the State Street line down Third
Street to Piasa, cross the railroad to the east of the latter
street, and continue on past the city hall to the Union Depot. The
Chicago & Alton track will not be cut, but the rails of the electric
line will be high enough to allow the flange on the wheels to pass
over the top of the Chicago & Alton rails, as is the case in many
other cities.
The stockholders of the Alton and North Alton Street Railway Co. met
here this morning and organized the following gentlemen being
elected directors: c. H. Holmes, W. S. Rogers, and John Morrison.
PLANS FOR ELECTRIC MOTOR LINE
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, August 18, 1892
The supposition that Alton was to have another modernized
improvement is about to become a reality in the abandonment of the
old horse car line and steam motor line. Engineers arrived in the
city this morning and commenced a survey preparatory to converting
both these lines into an electric streetcar system of the latest
model. This action on the part of the company has been under serious
consideration for some time, but was brought to a final decision
this week by the commencement of paving Second Street [Broadway]. If
the change was to be made, it had to be done immediately, as it
could not be done with as little expense after the laying of the
pavement. The first work that will be done is the continuation of
the track on Second Street, which will be connected with the steam
motor line on Market Street, which will be connected with the steam
motor line on Market Street. Mr. A. E. Abend, civil engineer who has
charge of the work in the interest of A. W. Mierschenberger & Co. of
St. Louis, informed us that the rails were expected to be laid in
about ten days, and the construction of the electric main wire would
immediately follow. We predict this a good movement on the part of
the owners of the line, as it is a much cheaper system than that now
in use, and would tend to increase the receipts by enabling the
company to run cars much more frequently at only a fraction of the
increased expense. Mr. Abend and Mr. William Huskinson were engaged
today in taking levels, and the radial for connecting the street car
line with the loop at city hall.
ELECTRIC STREETCAR DEAL
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, December 21, 1892
Three weeks ago, the Telegraph announced that an agreement had been
reached between the owners of the streetcar lines and the syndicate
who wishes to purchase them. In answer to a proposition from the
syndicate people, Mr. William Eliot Smith gave them a written
proposition of what his company would sell for. A representative of
the syndicate announced that the offer would be accepted, and in a
short time would pass into the control of the new company.
Electricity would be substituted for the present power, and the line
to North Alton built, and perhaps other lines.
Three of the representatives of the syndicate have been in Alton for
the past two days. Mr. H. R. Phinney, Superintendent of the lines,
informed a representative of the Telegraph this afternoon that no
transfer had as yet been made, but that in the course of a day or
two, it would undoubtedly be made. It is possible that the first of
the new year will see a new company in control of the present
streetcar lines.
NEW ELECTRIC STREET CAR COMPANY ORGANIZED
A. M. Farnum – President
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 16, 1893
The stockholders of the Alton Electric Street Railway Company met
Thursday at the office of city counselor McGinnis, for the purpose
of electing officers and making the final arrangements for the
organization of the company. The election of officers took place
after the calling of the meeting, and the following gentlemen were
named as officers of the new system: President, A. M. Farnum;
Vice-President, Joseph H. Porter; Secretary and Treasurer, G. H.
Walbridge. The directors consist of the stockholders, and are J. G.
White, Joseph H. Porter, E. C. Harrison, G. H. Walbridge, and A. M.
Farnum. The capital stock of $250,000, which consists of 5,000
shares at $50 each, is divided among the stockholders as follows: J.
G. White, 2,400 shares; A. M. Farnum, 2,400 shares; J. H. Porter,
100 shares; E. C. Harrison, 50 shares; and G. H. Walbridge, 50
shares.
The officials put their signatures to the ordinance granting a
franchise to the new company, thus officially accepting the
franchise within the thirty days fixed by it. This is the last day
that the company had to accept the franchise, as the ordinance was
passed by the council and approved by the mayor on January 10, 1893.
The company has considerable preliminary work yet to do, such as
getting the right-of-way for their new line, via. State Street,
perfecting new ordinances, defining their rights on that street that
will be acceptable to property holders, the city council and the
company. There will, however, be no great obstacles in the way of
securing all these preliminaries.
On the first of March, the company will pay another installment
($7,000) of the purchase money, when after placing in the hands of
the present owners approved security for the deferred payments, the
streetcar lines will be turned over to the new officials. The final
papers were made out and sent to Springfield, upon the receipt of
which a certificate of incorporation will be given the company.
Electrician White and Engineer Porter did not arrive, and will not
get here until the latter part of next week. Porter lives in New
York, and has decided to locate in Alton. He seems well pleased with
the city.
ELECTRIC STREETCAR LINE
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 9, 1893
President A. M. Farnam of the new electric system arrived in Alton
this morning in company with Mr. Joseph H. Porter, who will have the
management of the lines. Mr. Farnam stated that the plans and
specifications for the powerhouse and car stables are in the hands
of eastern draughtsmen, and will be completed in the course of a few
days, when the location for the houses will be selected. Work will
commence soon on the North Alton line, and the setting of poles for
the electric lamps. The course of the road will likely be up Fourth
Street to William, and thence out William to State, thus escaping
the heavy grade of State Street hill. Material for the new plant has
been purchased, and will arrive as soon as it is needed.
ALTON ELECTRIC STREET RAILWAY CO.
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 11, 1894
The Alton Electric Street Railway Company today absorbed the Alton
Gas and Electric Light Company, and will hereafter operate both
plants. Superintendent Joseph F. Porter, of the new company,
returned this morning from Chicago, and announces that eastern
capitalists have purchased the Alton Gas and Electric Light Company.
The plants will be run independent of one another as heretofore. The
old plant furnishing Upper Alton and private customers. Mr. George
Beck, the popular Superintendent of the old plant, will continue in
its management under the new owners.
The price paid by the eastern capitalists is not made known.
Everything indicates that the new electric railway system scheme
will be revived, and that there will be an abundance of backing.
Secretary J. H. White is strongly of the belief that a redoubled
effort will be made by his brother, and others, to carry out the
construction of the new system as heretofore projected.
STREETCAR LINES TO BE MADE ELECTRIC
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 27, 1895
The conversion of the present lines of the street railway systems is
about to be made. William Eliot Smith, proprietor of the roads, will
in all probability equip the roads with electricity and new cars,
and make of them one valuable system, with much better
accommodations for the public. The contemplated sale of the road has
been abandoned. The Alton Electric Company will furnish the power
for the roads if the deal goes through. The arrangement is entirely
distinct and separate from the State Street line project.
ELECTRIC STREETCAR LINES
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 13, 1895
All differences existing between William Eliot Smith of the
streetcar line systems and President Porter of the Electric Light
Company have been arranged. The streetcar lines will be furnished
with power by Mr. Porter’s plant, and Mr. Smith will at once arrange
for the equipment of the Middletown and horsecar lines with
electricity. The overhead trolley system will be used. The
preparations for the change of the systems are now going on.
For many months Altonians have hoped for better car service. Outside
capital came near being invested several times, but financial breaks
on several occasions interfered. Mr. Smith, in taking control of the
car lines, will undoubtedly give superior service, which will be
welcomes by the public at large. Mr. H. H. Ferguson, late General
Manager of the Bluff Line Railroad, and now traffic manager at the
glass works, will be Superintendent of the electric lines.
STREETCARS TO HAVE ELECTRICITY
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 23, 1895
The Directors of the Alton Improvement Association and of the Alton
and Upper Alton Horse Railway & Carrying Company held a joint
meeting Tuesday. The Directors of both corporations voted to equip
the roads with electricity, the work to be completed within six
weeks. Mr. H. H. Ferguson was appointed to superintend the equipment
of the lines. A subsequent meeting of the stockholders will be held
on June 15. At this meeting, the roads will be consolidated and
operated under the charter of the Alton Improvement Association. An
election of officers will then be held, and changes in the
management of the road made. The contract with the Alton Electric
Co. was ratified. It provides for power from 6 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.
The operation of the cars is not yet fully determined. It is
probably that the Middletown cars will make one round trip to Upper
Alton, and one round trip to Highland Park each hour. The round trip
to Upper Alton will consume 40 minutes, and the round trip to
Highland Park 20 minutes. A considerable saving of time will be made
in avoiding stops for water and fuel. It is almost certain that no
reduction in the fare is contemplated, for the present at least.
Upon the electric lines demonstrating that they will pay dividends
depends on the construction of the North Alton line by the
Improvement Association.
The through trips on each road will be double the number now made.
The Second Street [Broadway] line will use two cars, and the motor
line one. Each car will make two trips each way every hour, that is
a car will leave Union Station every 15 minutes on the Second Street
line for Upper Alton, and on the Middletown line, every half hour.
The cars will be 16 feet long, and when loaded with the electric
motor, will weigh about four tons. A new 250 horsepower engine will
be placed in the powerhouse on Piasa Street; also two more dynamos,
one of the new ones taking the place of the one now in use.
Mr. H. H. Ferguson, Friday morning, commenced the work of laying out
the lines preparatory to rebuilding the horsecar track for
transformation into an electric line. He had surveyors, Messrs.
Swift & Dixon, at work with him. These gentlemen will have charge of
giving the lines and grades for the roadbed. The work will be pushed
along rapidly. An expert track builder has been here for several
days, and will begin the superintending of the work of rebuilding
the tracks as soon as he can get at it. He is now at work in the
glass works, re-arranging the tracks there.
STREETCAR LINES SOLD TO JOSEPH PORTER
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 20, 1895
A meeting of the stockholders of the two streetcar companies was
held at the office of C. W. Milnor on Monday evening. The object of
the meeting was to consider the proposed purchase of the streetcar
lines by Mr. Joseph F. Porter of the Electric Light Company, for a
company of Eastern capitalists. The matter received due
consideration, and was finally agreed to see Mr. Porter the lines
for the sum of $100,000, of which $35,000 in cash is to be paid over
to the representatives of the company next Saturday, $40,000 to be
paid in stock of the company, and the new company to assume the
bonds of the motor line for $25,000. The old shareholders sold their
stock to William Eliot Smith for one-half its value, and received
one share of the new stock for each share held in the present
company. The streetcar company will be consolidated with the
Electric Light Company in accordance with the original design of the
owners. A new board of directors, five in number, will represent the
new company.
Mr. Porter assumes all the contracts made for the change of the
roads into electricity, and the work will be pushed to completion as
rapidly as possible. Mr. Porter will assume control of the roads and
manage them.
As the State Street line was a part of the original plan of a
streetcar system, no doubt in the near future the building of that
line will be undertaken.
ALTON RAILWAY AND ILLUMINATING COMPANY
Deal Complete
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 22, 1895
Pursuant to a call issued by the Board of Directors, a meeting of
the stockholders of the Alton & Upper Alton Horse Railway and
Carrying Company and the Alton Railway and Illuminating Company, was
held in the office of Attorney Baker Tueseay. This meeting was
called for the purpose of completing the preliminary details
incidental to the consolidation of all the streetcar lines and
electric light company, and is the final stage of operations.
Hereafter, the corporate name of the Alton Railway and Illuminating
Company will include all. The Board of Directors elected was Joseph
F. Porter, C. A. Caldwell, C. W. Milnor, James Duncan, and H. S.
Baker Jr. Joseph F. Porter was elected President and manager; James
Duncan Vice-President; and H. S. Baker Jr. Secretary.
STATE STREET ELECTRIC LINE
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 14, 1895
President Porter said last evening that he was considering the
question whether he would begin preparations next week for the
building of the State Street electric line, or wait until spring
before doing so. If the residents along the line will show the
proper amount of interest, the line will no doubt be built this
winter, and the cars will be running by January 01. It would be an
incalculable benefit to all who live on the line, and a convenience
that would be highly appreciated. Residents who now consume from 10
to 30 minutes in reaching their homes would be whirled to them on
the electric cars in from 3 to 10 minutes, and avoid dust, mud,
snow, sleet, and rain.
It is also on the program that the Highland Park line will be
extended to the cemetery in the near future. This no doubt would be
a good paying road from the start, as it would provide easy and
convenient means of reaching the cemetery.
NORTH ALTON STREETCAR LINE
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 9, 1896
The North Alton street railway will be built, this much is settled.
The route is settled also, and Fourth Street has been selected, at
least so says a very much interested party. Second Street [Broadway]
has too many objectors, while Fourth Street has neither objectors
nor heavy grades. The road will come down State Street to Beacon
Street, as originally intended, along Beacon to Fourth, down Fourth
to Piasa, where it will cross the Chicago & Alton tracks, and then
take a southeast course onto Market Street, directly in front of the
homestead of Messrs. William and Patrick McGinnis, near the corner
of Third and Market Streets.
A meeting of the directors of the company has been called for the
13th of this month, at which time the date of the beginning of the
construction work will be settled.
STATE STREET CAR LINE MAY BE DROPPED
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 20, 1896
A gentleman closely connected with Alton’s growth stated yesterday
that if the State Street objectors persist in fighting the
right-of-way as now asked by the streetcar company, the project will
be dropped, and State Street will be left without a line. “Folks
living on Belle Street are anxious to get the road, and there are
more people on Belle Street than on State Street. There are only two
small business houses on State Street, while on Belle they are
numerous and important. North Alton doesn’t care by which street the
cars enter their town. They are willing to give their money.
Belle Street is an industrial as well as residence street, and
several hundred men are employed in the stores, bakeries, carriage
and blacksmith shops foundries, brickyards, quarries, and the
roundhouse and freight depots of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. The
road as proposed will run down Belle from North Alton to 7th Street,
thence along 7th to the powerhouse on Piasa, and from there up 6th
Street to Market. It is the mst feasible route of them all. But if
the State Street folks do not want it, and the objectors all live on
State Street, why that plan will be abandoned, and the Valley Line
will be built.
RIGHT-OF-WAY SECURED FOR STATE STREET LINE
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 5, 1896
The right-of-way has been secured for the State Street electric
line. The Turner Bros. have agreed to make a subscription of $1,000
in cash, and three acres of ground in their tract, which is
equivalent to $2,500. Mr. Henry G. McPike, who was the committee to
secure Turner Bros. subscription, received the good news. No doubt
the council will be called together in special session to pass an
ordinance granting the franchise for the road. The work then will go
steadily forward.
STATE STREET ELECTRIC LINE
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 02, 1896
David Ryan last evening decided not to accept the contract for
building the electric road on State Street. President Porter today
stated that the company would build the road themselves, and would
begin work at once. The company’s engineer, Mr. Harry Swift, is
setting out lines today on State Street.
WORK BEGINS ON NORTH ALTON STREETCAR LINE
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 9, 1896
Work was begun Monday on the North Alton electric line at Danforth
and State Streets. About 100 men are at work with Mr. William
Huskinson as superintendent under two foremen, Messrs. John Brady
and Thomas Murray. The work will be pushed both ways.
*************
SOURCES:
Alton Telegraph
Hicks Car Works