Rails only reminders of era
Streetcars part of Lawrence history
BY PHYLLIS JONES Kansan Staff Writer
In 1920, a student late for his 7:30 a.m. class didn't rush to catch the bus, instead he leaped aborad the streetcar.
A young man visiting his girl who lived at 12th and Massachusetts Street listened for the clanging of the bells on the streetcar making its last run—rather than the coughing of his girl's father—to announce the end of his stay.
Residents on Indiana and Mississippi Streets were kept awake by the shrieking of streetcar rails, not by the honking of car horns.
On a hot, summer day, a person took a 5-cent ride on the streetcar to cool off, not a trip to the Jayhawk Cafe.
A daring, 13-year-old bicycler's idea of fun was to catch hold of the bars on the back of a streetcar, stop pedaling, and let the car pull him along.
In 1969, the only remaining evidences of the streetcar era are a few uncovered rails along Mississippi and Tennessee Streets and the old streetcar barn at 1818 Massachusetts St., now occupied by McCrory-Otasco.
Old-timers recreate era
Many scenes, however, have been recreated through the reminiscences of old streetcar riders.
A. T. Hodges, 71, of 1211 E. 13th St., recalled, "I took my first ride on a streetcar to the fair in the teens."
Lawrence Hill. Lawrence resident, operated a streetcar in 1918. He remembered that the streetcar was the only public transportation facility besides the hack. A hack, which served as a taxicab, was larger than a carriage and drawn by horses.
Although Hill has driven both, he said he would rather drive a streetcar than a bus because "a streetcar is safer in an accident."
Feb. 28 1969 KANSAN 15
Lawrence had a railway system as far back as 1891. At first, the cars were drawn by horses, which were later replaced by a team of small mules.
The route of the streetcars ran the length of the business district on Massachusetts Street as far south as the Masonic Temple and north across the bridge to the Kansas Pacific depot, now the Union Pacific depot.
In the fall of 1909, electric power "modernized" the system.
Streetcar routes
Hill said streetcars travelled three routes.
The main line with three cars started at 24th and Massachusetts Street, ran north on Massachusetts to 7th Street, east to the Santa Fe station, then south on New Jersey to 13th Street and east on 13th Street to Haskell Avenue.
The car turned north on Haskell and ran to near Woodland Park. When the Park was abandoned in the early 1920's, the line ran out 13th Street east to Prairie Street.
Two cars ran the KU route every 15 minutes. One car started at 8th and Massachusetts Street went west on Mississippi Street then south on Mississippi to McCook Field.
It was "open track" from the Field to the top of the Hill. At the old Robinson Gym, there was a double track switch, and the car returned on the same route until the loop was completed.
The southbound car ran on "open track" to 17th and Louisiana Street to Tennessee Street, north on Tennessee to 11th Street, east on 11th Street to Massachusetts and north on Massachusetts to 8th Street.
On the Indiana run, the car ran west from 8th and Massachusetts Street to Indiana north on Indiana to 4th Street and back the same way.
In the winter, sand was released through a pipe that the motorman operated with his foot to melt ice on the rails.
The sand pipe, however, was built for straight track only. On the curve running in back of Bailey Hall, the sander did not operate. After a heavy snow, plows were put on the cars and men worked all night to clear the tracks for service the next day.
End of streetcars
The streetcars were owned by Kansas Electric Power-later bought by Kansas Power and Light (KP&L).
In 1933, KP&L discontinued use of the streetcars. George Williams, city director of public works, speculated that the streetcars were not making money because of bus service which was begun that same year. The rails were covered with
The rails were covered with black top which contained asphalt.
In some places, the black top has worn off, and the rail showing through is another reminder of "the good old days."
Campuses see unrest
By United Press International
Club swinging police charged a picket line at the University of California yesterday and stench bombs disrupted classes at the universities of Chicago and Wisconsin in the latest incidents of the nationwide campus unrest.
Student dissidents formed human chains at entrances to the University of California in Berkeley.
Stench bombs were set off in six campus buildings at the University of Chicago, which is still simmering in the aftermath of a 16-day sit-in at the administration building.
All that's left of Lawrence's streetcars Photo by Rick Fendergrass
Miss Patti Treat... in her Boe Jest "tucked" blouse and LADYBUG slacks.
at the back of the Town Shop
839 Mass. St.
Uptown
V1 2-5755
Uptown VI 3-5755