Recently, Andrew Raimist, a lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis, and architect, posted two videos on Facebook from St. Louis’ last days as a streetcar city. What was once purported to be the largest streetcar system in the world had dwindled as the city’s population declined and car culture, and the resulting infrastructure came to dominant the landscape.
Yet, at the same time the streetcar era was ending, there were robust calls for investment in rapid transit to relieve congestion on regional highways as more and more people lived in suburban communities and drove to school, work, and for errands. Watch the video “Rapid Transit as a St. Louis Regional Priority – 1965“. Now, a streetcar is coming back to St. Louis, sort of. If you’re nostalgic, or just want to see what it looked like when streetcars roamed St. Louis City, check out the following videos:
This short video features streetcars operating out of Wellston Station and through the City of St. Louis shortly before streetcar service ended in the 1960s. Historic footage is courtesy of Mark D. Goldfeder, President of The St. Louis Railway Enthusiasts, Inc. (SLRE)
This short video features streetcars operating throughout St. Louis before they were taken out of service in the 1960s. Historic footage is courtesy of Mark D. Goldfeder, President of The St. Louis Railway Enthusiasts, Inc. (SLRE)
