Richmond Streetcars - (Images of Rail) by John Reuben Alley (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Perfect for train enthusiasts, Richmond Streetcars showcases the beginnings of the electric streetcar system in the United States.

In 1888, Richmond was the first US city to launch a commercially successful electric streetcar system. With its steep inclines, the city became an ideal space for engineer Frank Sprague to test his new electric motor. Following success in Richmond, tracks rapidly lined the streets of major cities around the country, becoming part of a new urban vision powered by the force of electricity. In addition, this new form of transportation inspired everything from music and literature to amusement parks and sports teams, like the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers. Concurrently, the streetcar set the stage for courageous civil rights leaders like editor John Mitchell Jr., who fought for racial justice on the pages of the Richmond Planet. In 1904, Mitchell led a boycott against segregation on Richmond's streetcar lines. This has been an often overlooked moment regarding the city's role in civil rights history.

Photographic researcher and visual artist John Reuben Alley presents rare archival images from the Library of Virginia, the Valentine Museum, the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library, and various private photographic collections. The author of Campus History: University of Richmond, he continues sharing his knowledge of Richmond. In this edition, Alley brings to life the innovations, tension, and transformations that defined Richmond's streetcar era.

About the Author

Photographic researcher and visual artist John Reuben Alley presents rare archival images from the Library of Virginia, the Valentine Museum, the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library, and various private photographic collections. The author of Campus History: University of Richmond, he continues sharing his knowledge of Richmond. In this edition, Alley brings to life the innovations, tension, and transformations that defined Richmond's streetcar era.