Baltimore Streetcar Memories

Author: Kenneth C. Springirth
Publisher: America Through Time
ISBN: 9781634990349
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
"Baltimore was the first United States city to begin regularly scheduled electric railway service in 1885. However, because of technical problems the line had to go back to horse car operation. After Frank J. Sprague developed an electric streetcar powered by an overhead wire for Richmond, Virginia; Baltimore adopted the new system and in 1893 opened the first electric line in the United States to operate on an elevated structure. By 1899, Baltimore streetcar lines, with their unique 5 foot 4.5 inch track gauge, were unified by the United Railways and Electric Company which purchased 885 semi-convertible cars with windows that could be raised up for summer operation and lowered for winter operation. Baltimore Transit Company was the third United States system to introduce modern Presidents' Conference Committee (PCC) cars and at its peak operated the eighth largest fleet of these cars. A combination of factors including a ridership decline and making many downtown streets one way contributed to conversion to an all bus system. Baltimore Streetcar Memories is a photographic essay of history of the Baltimore, Maryland streetcar system up to its closure in 1963 and the return of a modern streetcar/light rail system 29 years later in 1992."--Amazon.com

Baltimore Streetcars

Author: Herbert H. Harwood
Publisher: JHU Press
ISBN: 9780801871900
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 196

Book Description
Herbert H. Harwood here gives us a glorious picture of Baltimore in the heyday of the streetcar, combining the story of lines and equipment with a nostalgic view of Baltimore when so many of her people relied on street railways. From the late 1800s through World War II, streetcars transported Baltimore's population to and from work, play, and just about everything else. Bankers and clerks, factory workers and managers, domestics, schoolchildren, shoppers, all rode side-by-side on the streetcars regardless of economic status, level of education, or ethnic background. In a city where residences and schools were segregated, streetcar passengers sat wherever they could. In addition to being a truly democratic institution, streetcars considerably influenced Baltimore's physical growth, enabling families to live farther than ever before from workplaces and thus encouraging early suburbs. Despite rising competition from the private automobile, streetcars remained the mainstay of Baltimore's public transportation system until after World War II, when gas rationing ended and family cars multiplied. Environmentally friendly and for the most part comfortable and reliable, streetcars also had their peculiar charm. Today some people in Baltimore miss them.

Baltimore's Streetcars and Buses

Author: Gary Helton
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
ISBN: 9780738553696
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 132

Book Description
In the 1850s, Baltimore's 170,000 residents had few options when it came to getting around town. Before the decade's end, however, the omnibus--an urban version of the stagecoach--emerged as Baltimore's first mass-transit vehicle. Horsecars followed, then cable cars, and ultimately electrically powered streetcars. Recognizing the need for cohesion, the city's myriad transit providers merged into a single operator. United Railways and Electric Company, incorporated in 1899, faced the unenviable task of integrating routes being served by inadequate, incompatible, and often obsolete equipment. Over the next seven decades, privately run mass transit in Baltimore survived bankruptcy, a name change, two world wars, the proliferation of private automobiles, a takeover by out-of-town interests, and a plethora of new vehicles. Arguably a unified system of privately operated mass transit was no closer to being a reality in 1970, when it reached the end of the line and was taken over by the state.

The Great Northern Railway Through Time

Author: Dale Peterka
Publisher: America Through Time
ISBN: 9781634990080
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 96

Book Description
The Great Northern Railway Through Time takes us on a tour of the American Northwest―the last American frontier―from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Seattle, Washington. The Great Northern opened up the Dakotas, Montana, Idaho, the dramatic Cascade Mountains of Washington and the Continental Divide at Marias Pass. President James J. Hill intended the Great Northern to be a freight hauling road, but tourists riding on the GN's premier passenger train, The Empire Builder were delighted by the prairie, the farmland, the Big Sky Country, the mountains, and Glacier National Park. The G.N.'s reputation grew. Today, Amtrak's Empire Builder traverses the same territory. The Great Northern Railway Through Time presents photos taken over the course of seventy five years by photographers of the era. The author has provided ample photo captions pointing out features that have changed over the years and features that have stayed the same. The early photos are fresh―never before published. The more recent shots were made by twenty of America's finest rail enthusiast photographers.

Baltimore Neighborhoods

Author: Marsha Wight Wise
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
ISBN: 1439619417
Category : Photography
Languages : en
Pages : 132

Book Description
Baltimores rich diversity is represented by its many neighborhoods95 at last count. Some neighborhoods meander for several city blocks while others claim only a few. This volume of vintage postcards provides unique glimpses into the past of many of Baltimores neighborhoods. Included are the elegant homes of Roland Park, Guildford, and Sherwood Gardens; the workingmans Highlandtown, South Baltimore, and Locust Point; the streetcar suburbs of Mount Washington, Overlea, Ten Hills, and Hunting Ridge; and the city parkanchored communities of Patterson Park, Federal Hill, and Gwynns Falls. Readers will find no two communities alike.

Cool Off and Ride!

Author: Claudia Friddell
Publisher: Astra Publishing House
ISBN: 1635926858
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 35

Book Description
This historical picture book about 1930s Baltimore residents beating the heat the old-fashioned way—by riding a trolley!— is filled with fascinating information on public transit and staying cool before the advent of air conditioning. Everyone in Baltimore is hot and sticky, from little Hazel playing on the slide to the grandma knitting on the porch. So when evening comes, they all jump at the chance for a little "cool off and ride." The whole neighborhood–from the Taylor twins to Grandpa, and even the dog!—piles onto a breezy homemade roller coaster, a city trolley! In this charming, rhythmic romp, Claudia Friddell and Jenn Harney take us back to a time before air conditioning when you had to cool off any way you could. And the Cool Off and Ride Program was certainly a popular way! More than 8,000 people rode the trolleys every evening in the summer. Taking the streetcar brought the whole neighborhood together, and everyone’s fares helped keep the Baltimore streetcars running. This STEAM title is a terrific read-aloud that will also educate kids about weather and the history of transit in the United States.

Eastern Oregon Shortline Railroads

Author: Jeff Moore
Publisher: America Through Time
ISBN: 9781634990103
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Most of Oregon east of the Cascade Mountains is a raw and inhospitable land, largely the product of recent volcanic activity. Railroad builders constructed a couple mainlines skirting the edges of the region and some branch lines into agricultural communities, but found very little else to attract their interest. Over time, however, a small collection of interesting shortline railroads built or bought rail lines, either in conjunction with the developing timber industry in the Blue, Ochoco, and Wallowa mountains or to connect a few existing communities with the mainline that bypassed the town. This book tells the stories of these small railroads and the roles they played in the development and economies of the region; covered railroads includes the Big Creek & Telocaset; City of Prineville; Condon, Kinzua & Southern; Idaho, Northern & Pacific; Klamath Northern; Oregon & Northwestern; Oregon, California & Eastern; Oregon Eastern Division of the Wyoming/Colorado; Sumpter Valley; Union Railroad of Oregon; Wallowa Union; and others.

Moon Maryland

Author: Michaela Riva Gaaserud
Publisher: Moon Travel
ISBN: 1631214683
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 534

Book Description
Discover Maryland with Moon Travel Guides! Explore the rustic beauty of the Chesapeake Bay, experience Baltimore's unique urban vibe, and uncover a slice of classic Americana with Moon Maryland. What you'll find in Moon Maryland: Strategic itineraries for any budget and timeline, ranging from weekend trips to Washington DC and Baltimore, to five days on the Eastern Shore Detailed maps and handy reference photos throughout Curated advice for history buffs, foodies, beach-goers, outdoor adventurers, and more Must-see attractions and off-beat ideas for making the most of your trip: Explore Baltimore's world-class museums, check out the National Aquarium, or wander the bustling Inner Harbor. Browse the trendy boutiques in historic Annapolis and unwind with a craft beer as the boats sway in the harbor. Visit the U.S. Naval Academy, or hear the stories behind Revolutionary War battlefields and Civil War landmarks. Hike verdant trails, go rock climbing on Sugarloaf Mountain, or try your hand at sailing. Relax on a quiet beach, spot wild ponies roaming freely, and crack claws at an authentic crab shack Honest advice from Maryland expert Michaela Riva Gaaserud on when to go, what to pack, and where to stay, from luxury hotels and historic inns to beach campgrounds Recommendations for families, LGBTQ+ travelers, seniors, international visitors, traveling with pets, and travelers with disabilities Thorough background on the culture, weather, wildlife, and history With Moon's local insight, diverse activities, and expert tips on experiencing the best of Maryland, you can plan your trip your way! Exploring more of the Mid-Atlantic? Try Moon Virginia & Maryland. For more beach adventures, try Moon Coastal Carolinas.

Chicago Trolleys

Author: David Sadowski
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
ISBN: 1467126810
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 128

Book Description
Chicago's extensive transit system first started in 1859, when horsecars ran on rails in city streets. Cable cars and electric streetcars came next. Where new trolley car lines were built, people, businesses, and neighborhoods followed. Chicago quickly became a world-class city. At its peak, Chicago had over 3,000 streetcars and 1,000 miles of track--the largest such system in the world. By the 1930s, there were also streamlined trolleys and trolley buses on rubber tires. Some parts of Chicago's famous "L" system also used trolley wire instead of a third rail. Trolley cars once took people from the Loop to such faraway places as Aurora, Elgin, Milwaukee, and South Bend. A few still run today.

Moon Virginia & Maryland

Author: Michaela Riva Gaaserud
Publisher: Moon Travel
ISBN: 1612385176
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 586

Book Description
History meets recreation in this comprehensive guide by area native Michaela GaaserudArea native and current Virginia resident Michaela Gaaserud provides travelers with an insider's perspective on two of the nation's most historically significant states. An experienced guidebook author, Gaaserud offers up original trip ideas to help visitors make the most of their time, such as Five Days for the Active Traveler and the Seven-Day Historical Road Trip and Pub Tour. With comprehensive coverage for all interests-from strolling Embassy Row and visiting the monuments in Washington DC to hiking in Shenandoah National Park, from getting some sun on Colonial Beach to seeing the Beauregard Civil War Cemetery- Moon Virginia & Maryland gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.