Oregon City Electric Streetcar Trolley Train Conductor Real Photo Postcard
Electric streetcars, like this one bound for Oregon City, were a cornerstone of public transportation in American urban and interurban areas during the early 20th century. This particular car, numbered 1062, was part of the extensive network operated by the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company (PRL&P), which served the burgeoning communities of the Portland metropolitan area and beyond, including its southern terminus in Oregon City. Such electric railways provided crucial links for commuters, commerce, and leisure travel, significantly shaping regional development.
The era depicted, likely between 1900 and the 1920s, represents the peak of electric interurban systems in the Pacific Northwest. These reliable and efficient electric lines connected major cities and smaller towns, allowing for unprecedented mobility and fostering economic growth. The presence of railway personnel and passengers underscores the vital role these services played in daily life before the widespread adoption of personal automobiles led to the gradual dismantling of most streetcar networks in the mid-20th century.
The era depicted, likely between 1900 and the 1920s, represents the peak of electric interurban systems in the Pacific Northwest. These reliable and efficient electric lines connected major cities and smaller towns, allowing for unprecedented mobility and fostering economic growth. The presence of railway personnel and passengers underscores the vital role these services played in daily life before the widespread adoption of personal automobiles led to the gradual dismantling of most streetcar networks in the mid-20th century.
