Not too long ago, the streets of washington, dc were lined with tracks. This is the story of railbound public transportation in the nations capital, told on a time line that begins with the civil war and ends for now during the. The last old dc transit streetcar still in service, in sarajevo. George pelecanoss books are a great social history of washington dc. Jan 27, 2014 as the district moves to revive the electric streetcar, heres a look at the technologys history in the area. This online system enables home owners, tenants, and businesses alike to apply for the specific type of public space occupancy, construction, excavation, annual or rental permit required for use of the public space within the district of columbia. Founded after the american revolution as the seat of government of the newly independent country, washington was named after george washington, the first president of the united states and a. Seventh street nw in the 1870s and its streetcars seventh street these days is just another busy downtown thoroughfare, but it has a unique history as one of the citys first and longestlived commercial boulevards. Jan 27, 2016 washingtons streetcars were a microcosm of the city, a great mixing bowl.
The georgetown librarys peabody room presents capital streetcars. Photographs from over 50 years ago, when streetcars last operated in the district. Our small staff will be working remotely, and we intend to continue nonpublic facing operations and administrative functions in ways that keep our team safe. The dc streetcar is a surface streetcar network in washington, d. By the end of the century, streetcar lines crisscrossed the city, expanding it into the suburbs and defining where washingtonians lived, worked and played. Washingtons first streetcars trundled down pennsylvania avenue during the civil war. The history of washington, dc founded in 1790, the nations capital has been a dynamic city with plenty of highs and lows to match its place in american history. After the devastation, the city remained small, especially in terms of permanent residents. Railfanning washington dc rare catches at alexandria. Streetcar launched, the district is already seriously considering a plan to replace its vehicles. For just under 100 years, between 1862 and 1962, streetcars in washington, d. The whole point of the streetcar really was to leverage the power of. The streetcar will utilize overhead wires on the first two lines the district has already purchased three conventionallypowered skodainekon streetcars, using an option from an earlier portland streetcar contract.
Capital streetcars early mass transit in washington dc john deferrari and ken ricker 256 pages softcover washington s first streetcars trundled down pennsylvania avenue during the civil war. The dc streetcar makes traveling within the district much easier for residents and visitors, connecting commuters to the bustling h street ne neighborhood up to benning road with a modern twist. The rise of buses led to a more reliable transportation method. Streetcars first came to washington in 1862, when congress chartered the washington and georgetown railroad company, which set up a line that began at wisconsin avenue and m street nw in georgetown and ended at the navy yard. Mar 09, 2017 the last old dc transit streetcar still in service, in sarajevo. Dec 04, 2017 20 essential books about washington, d. Aug, 20 railfanning washington dc rare catches at alexandria. Publications the historical society of washington, d. This article is about the streetcars that existed in washington prior to 1962. African americans have been a significant part of washington, dcs civic life and identity since the city was first declared the new national capital in 1791.
As deferrari colorfully describes in his book, the cars were drawn by horses. Jul 10, 2014 check out this 1942 dc bus and streetcar map. Originally inhabited by an algonquianspeaking people known as the nacotchtank, the site of the district of columbia along the potomac river was first selected by president george washington. A new book recounts the history of washingtons streetcar system.
A brief history of african americans in washington, dc. These streetcar tracks ran right down the middle of busy washington streets. After more than 50 years since streetcars last serviced the streets of washington, dc, the district department of transportation ddot brought them back. Capital streetcars early mass transit in washington dcjohn deferrari and ken ricker 256 pages softcover washingtons first streetcars trundled down pennsylvania avenue during the civil war. Our selection of books provides a closer look at the history of the district of columbia. The novels are in the crime section but pelecanos himself calls them modern.
Streetcars through time john deferraris book, capital streetcars. High resolution photos photo archive vintage pictures vintage photographs washington dc american history old photos fine art. In keeping with public safety guidelines regarding the coronavirus covid19, the historical society of washington, d. C before metro, washington had a robust streetcar networkand you see the remains of this infrastructure if you know where to look. As with deferraris other books, its exceptionally well researched and written, and. Interested in urban history, development and transit. At the same time, the final company that owned the city. From the charles suddarth kelly photographic collection. Dcs first streetcar system opened in the middle of the civil war after taking. Join author john deferrari on a joyride through the fascinating history of streetcars in the nations capital. Dc streetcar dc transportation online permitting system this online system enables home owners, tenants, and businesses alike to apply for the specific type of public space occupancy, construction, excavation, annual or rental permit required for use of the public space within the district of columbia.
Some old historic landmarks of virginia and maryland, described in a handbook for the tourist over the washington, alexandria. I remember dc transit may have once used them and they can be. Dc considers plan to replace streetcar fleet, still. For information on dcs new streetcar line, see dc streetcar. Aug 19, 2011 the 50 essential washington history books. The history press, 2011 and historic restaurants of washington, d. A nostalgic look at the important buildings lost in the capital city, following the changing transport of the city from horsedrawn streetcars to electric trolleys and steam trains crossing maryland avenue. Image by fototak on flickr, used with permission in the late 1950s and early 60s, as washington s original streetcar system slowly converted its rail lines to buses, owners sold or gave away nearly 200 of dc s best railcars to any city that would take them. Other sites include commerce on the chesapeake and ohio canal, baltimore and portomac railroad station, faux castles such as hendersons and stewarts, the corcoran school of art, and many victorian vistas of washington from the top of the capitol and washington monument. A brief history of the dc streetcar being almost ready. Capital streetcars early mass transit in washington, d.
The districts first streetcar arrived in the midst of the civil war. Boundary stones is a service of weta and is supported by contributions from readers like you. You can read the actual line at the national archives. Washingtons streetcars were a microcosm of the city, a great mixing bowl. Sep 14, 2015 washington s first streetcars trundled down pennsylvania avenue during the civil war. For a century, streetcars glided along the capitals streets, transporting residents and commuters. Ttc bombardier flexity outlook streetcars on the 510. The innovative streetcar design is a far cry from the days when the districts streetcars were drawn by horse. On february 27, 2016 service began on washington, dcs first modern streetcar line after a construction and testing period stretching over seven years. Sites represented here include hoover airport, the washington arsenal, fox theater, center market, matthew bradys studio, the old navy building, the ebbit house hotel, and general noble redwood treehouse which stood on the mall from 1894 to 1932. Up for auction is this neat illustrated book on the history of interurban rail transportation in washington, d. Streetcars of washington dckenneth springirth 128 pages softcover street cars of washington d.
By the end of the century, streetcar lines crisscrossed. Tracks on m street in georgetown, with the esso and sinclair gas stations on opposite corners, and the tower of the georgetown car barn in the background, circa 1955. The dupont station was built in the 1940s to relieve traffic congestion in dupont circle that was caused, in. Check out this 1942 dc bus and streetcar map greater. Southern politicians did their best to legally segregate the cars. John deferrari, a native washingtonian with a lifelong passion for local history, pens the streets of washington blog and is the author of lost washington, d. Mary church terrell and the struggle for racial justice in the nations capital hardcover by. Washingtons first streetcars trundled down pennsylvania avenue. There have already been problems with getting spare parts to complete. All the transit companies operated streetcar lines throughout the city and suburbs. In may 1800, twohorse stage coaches began running twice daily from bridge and high streets nw now wisconsin avenue and m street nw in georgetown by way of m street nw and pennsylvania avenue nwse to william tunnicliffs tavern at the site now occupied by the supreme. This is the story of railbound public transportation in the nations capital, told on a time line that begins with the civil war and ends for now during the kennedy administration. He was previously the editor of dcist and has also written for washington city paper, the new york times, the new republic, slate, and buzzfeed.
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