Trolleys shown in Sunbury, at Cameron Park
Nearly every town in our area once had trolley tracks. Trolleys ran from the 1890s into the 1920s, in most of our area, but all of the lines appeared to struggle financially.
The trolley lines frequently built amusement parks, as an incentive for citizens to use the trolley. Examples include Riverside Park in Milton, Starr Island Park in Montoursville, and Riverside Park in Sunbury. Still, it wasn't enough. Gradually, automobiles replaced the trolleys, and many of the trolley companies went bankrupt. Tracks were left behind, often causing automobile accidents, into the 1930s.
Here's a look at the trolleys in each of our local towns
[alphabetically, and the list is not complete, but in progress]
Bloomsburg
Early Photo of a trolley in front of the fairgrounds, and a car in the creekDanville
Two trolley lines opened in Danville during 1903: the Danville- Bloomsburg Trolley and the Danville-Riverside Trolley. Both ceased operation by 1926.
Read more about the trolley lines in Danville here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/03/when-danville-had-trolley.htmlHughesville
Possibly a steam engine car meant to haul passengers from Hughesville to Halls? The top of the trolley reads "Williamsport".
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore Preservation Society has recently acquired car 14 and is working to restore it. It will be located along the canal path. Follow their progress and plans here:
The Lewisburg, Milton & Watsontown Trolley Line
Lewisburg, Milton and Watsontown were all served by one trolley line - the LM&W
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/02/when-milton-had-trolley.html
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/02/when-milton-had-trolley.html
Mifflinburg
The first Battery Operated Car made the trip from Montandon to Lewisburg on July 23rd, 1911. It was the only car of it's kind at the time, so unique that a railway magnate came from Paris to Milton in April of 1912, to view it.
MILTON
The Trolley Car Diner In Milton
See Also - The Lewisburg, Milton & Watsontown Trolley
MONTOURSVILLE
The Trolley on Broad Street In Montoursville
SELINSGROVE
SUNBURY:
The Danville & Sunbury Trolley Company - 1924Sunbury & Selinsgrove Trolley 1907-1934
Sunbury & Northumberland ST RY Co.
See more about the trolley bridge at Sunbury here:
WILLIAMSPORT
Horse drawn trolleys came to Williamsport as an initiative of Peter Herdic. Eventually Williamsport Passenger Railway made the switch electric power, a full year before Philadelphia even had electric trolleys. At one time there were 7 different trolley lines, and a "Street Car War" in Williamsport. That was short lived however, and all the companies were soon under one director, becoming the Williamsport Passenger Railway once again.
Read more about the trolleys in Williamsport here:
============
READ MORE
===========
Danville & Sunbury Transit Co: The interurban that never was Paperback – January 1, 1975
Toonervilles of the Susquehanna: A history of the Lewisburg Milton and Watsontown Passenger Railway Company, North Branch Transit Company, Berwick and ... Transit Company, and other projected lines Paperback – January 1, 1953 by Gene D Gordon
Susquehanna trolleys Paperback – January 1, 1951
by Gene D Gordon
Fascinating history of the various electric street railways that ran through Northumberland County and the cities of Sunbury and Selinsgrove, PA. The two major streetcar companies were the Northumberland County Railway Com and the Sunbury and Selinsgrove Transit Co. but there were several others, including one connected to Thomas Edison's factory in Sunbury. This informative booklet untangles the confused corporate histories and explains where the lines were built, the services offered and why they failed. Illustrated throughout with black and white photos of the charming trolleys. Includes rosters and maps.
Enjoyed reading the history and the photos.The trollys ran all over Pa.and also NJ.Read that the sport of the day was to see how far one could travel using various passes.
ReplyDelete