Center for Archival Collections

March 2008: Volume 27, Number 1

Feature: The Interurban--Mass Transit in the 20th Century | Archival Chronicle Index | CAC Homepage

Inside the Interurbans

This issue of the Archival Chronicle Gallery takes a look at Interurban Rail cars--inside and out.

The Interurban is mentioned in passing in many early twentieth century manuscript collections at the CAC.  For detailed information, however, the best source is The Toledo Edison Company (MS 759).  This company is a direct descendant of the Toledo Railways and Light Company which existed from 1901 until 1921. Toledo Railways and Light, itself composed of several electric streetcar and utilities companies purchased and consolidated, provided electric and gas service to Toledo, Ohio, and the surrounding area, as well as operating a streetcar service.  Included in the manuscript collection is information regarding the details of operation of this service.  Some examples are featured below.

Car design exteriors

	"The Haller [Steam] Locomotive...is designed for heavy freight, also long distance passenger and express service....It will operate 1,000 miles continuously, without stopping for fuel or water, lubrication or fire cleaning...It can be operated from either end; therefore turn tables are not required.  Fuel and water stations are necessary only at terminal stations...quick repairs and replacements."--Bulletin No. 4, Haller Car & Locomotive Corporation.
Haller Steam-Propelled Interurban Car.  "This car marks an evolution in interurban car construction in that it is self contained steam propelled and requires no power station, sub-station or transmission system, which results in a reduction of 35% in investment cost, and a reduction of 40% in operating expenses, and therefore constitutes a means for re-establishing railway values and net earnings."--Bulletin No. 3, Haller Car & Locomotive Corporation.
"The Haller One-Two Man, Front Entrance and Side Exit, Low Level, Light Weight Car is attractive, safe and efficient and thereby establishes a basis for furnishing frequent, high-class, safe and low cost city passenger transportation and simultaneously establishes Public Utility net earnings and security values on a proper basis."--Specification booklet, 1918
	"The Haller One Man Steam Propelled Passenger Bus is designed to meet the demand for a high-class, safe and efficient transportation unit to be used as an adjunct to street railways and in communities not now provided with proper transportation facilities...This vehicle fills a long-felt want as an adjunct to rush hour electric railway transportation and to provide transportation on boulevards and other restricted thoroughfares.--Bulletin No. 1, Haller Car & Locomotive Corporation.

Manufacturing and Interiors

At right is the floor plan for a "limited" car on the Lakeshore Electric Railway.  "Limited" cars made only scheduled stops at designated stations. Source: MS 759 Toledo Edison Company
	The standard Lakeshore car had separate compartments for smokers and passengers' luggage. Source: MS 759 Toledo Edison Company
Construction of Interurban cars at the St. Louis Car Company, ca. 1910.  Cars on Ohio's many interurban lines were similar, but could be easily identified by details in paint and furnishing. Source: MS 759 Toledo Edison Company
	The interior of a completed car, with wickerwork seats, shows that economy was also a consideration in the design and furnishing of public transportation.  Trolley lines continued to run within cities for years after the disappearance of interurban service.  Diesel-powered buses usually took their place.  After the Second World War, many smaller communities lost even their bus service.  Source: MS 759 Toledo Edison Company

The Interurban at Work

The Lakeshore Electric Railway line looking east at Hickory Corners, September 1924.  The small shelter at left allowed the passengers who occasionally flagged down the car at this point some protection from the weather.  Passengers traveling at night were encouraged to signal the car by setting fire to a newspaper as the car approached,  and then stand back a safe distance from the tracks. Source:  CAC General Photograph Collection.
	The Lakeshore Electric Railway Depot at Genoa, Ohio, as it appeared in the early 1900s.  Despite competition between steam and electric-powered transportation, riders found easy access in central city terminals which served both. Source: Kirk F. Hise; CAC General Photograph Collection.
"An Electric Car on Toledo, Bowling Green & Southern."  The 1914-1915 Annual Catalog for Bowling Green State University lists five different electric rail lines serving the city, with connections to three different conventional railroad lines.  Easy access to transportation was one of Bowling Green's advantages in the competition for a new teacher training college.  Source: CAC General Photograph Collection
	Clayton Johnson, motorman (in the light-colored uniform) and Cristy Miller, conductor, greet passengers on the Toledo, Bowling Green and Southern car.  This photograph was taken in 1916 in Maumee.  Source:  Elnore Dunbar Paris; CAC General Photograph Collection.

Alternate Transport: Bicycles & Motorcycles

	Hardware stores provided their customers with a variety of goods for the home.  Between 1910-1916, the Skilliter Hardware Store in Genoa, Ohio offered the usual line of paints and wallpaper, as well as sewing machines and bicycles.  Pictured left to right in the enlarged view are Walter, Harry, Tom and Robert Skilliter.  Source:  Skilliter Family, CAC General Photograph Collection.
Bicycling was a fad in the late 19th century.  The bicycle ridden by this young Toledo woman shows the curved frame necessary for pedaling in skirts.  Although it seems to lack a front fender, the bicycle sports a large comfortable saddle and balloon tires.  The woman is dressed for exercise, in a simply-styled dress, with a hemline at mid-calf.  Like any proper young woman of the era, she is probably wearing a corset.  Source: CAC General Photograph Collection.
	Joseph Robert McKnight poses (the kickstand is down) on his Indian motorcycle. He is transporting bushes to be transplanted on his home lot on Church Street in Bowling Green in 1911. Source: Judith McKnight; CAC General Photograph Collection.

Bibliography

MS 759 Toledo Edison Company
Papers, 1853-1989
Toledo, Ohio
Operational, financial, and organizational materials of the Toledo Edison Company and its predecessors, including the Toledo Railways and Light Company. Included are correspondence, financial audits, annual reports, company publications, and photographs.