Asheville Archives: Asheville’s streetcars take a farewell tour, Sept. 6, 1934

GET YOUR KICKS ON STREETCAR SIX: This photo, believed to have been taken in 1910, captures the No. 6 streetcar, which ran along Biltmore Street. Photo courtesy of North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville, North Carolina

Last week marked the 83rd anniversary of Asheville’s final trolley ride. On Thursday, Sept. 6, 1934, an advertisement on Page 8 of The Asheville Citizen announced the following:

“Come along with the crowd and take your last trolley ride! You probably will miss the thrill of your first ride but that will be replaced by the jolly good fellowship of your fellow passengers. There will be ample room … candy, soda pop, newspapers, and what-not … all in the hands of fellows you know. Don’t be late — the first car leaves Government and Haywood streets promptly at 4 o’clock!! When the last car returns, electric trolleys will be history in Asheville and Western North Carolina.”

After 45 years of service, the final seven streetcars departed from Pritchard Park that day, headed toward West Asheville. The 45-minute round trip, farewell tour included 500 passengers. Veteran employees and owners were among those riding the trolleys, including seven of the Carolina Power and Light company’s oldest motormen: John R. Drake, R.L. Williams, J.A. Bell, A. Whisnant, E.N. Engle, P.C. Stroupe and M.R. Winters.

The Asheville Citizen provided pre- and post-coverage of the historic event. On Wednesday, Sept. 5, the newspaper ran a statement offered by Charles S. Walters, vice president of the Carolina Power and Light. In it Walters said:

“Operation of the last streetcar in the city of Asheville is more than the mere ending of trolley service. It is a significant event for many reasons. It is significant because it means that another form of transportation has outlived its usefulness. It is significant because Asheville was the second city in the country to have electric cars. And it is significant because it means that a new means of mass transportation must be provided for our citizens.

“Only those of more mature years are able to really appreciate the part our electric trolley lines have played in the development of Asheville. They made it possible for the city to spread out and for the people to enjoy suburban life. They furnished recreation in the days when Sunday strolls and trolley rides were popular pastimes for the masses. And they gave Asheville the impetus that moved it from a struggling village to a young city.”

Buses would replace the street cars. On Sept. 16, 1934, the Sunday edition of the Asheville Citizen-Times noted that the new mode of transportation shaved off an average of 2 ½ to 5 minutes per ride, compared to the former trolleys. The price for each bus was $4,000, with operating costs that averaged about 16 cents a mile.

A TROLLEY GOOD TIME: From February of 1889 to September of 1934, trolleys roamed the streets of Asheville. This photo is believed to have been taken in 1910.
A TROLLEY GOOD TIME: From February of 1889 to September of 1934, trolleys roamed the streets of Asheville. This photo is believed to have been taken in 1910. Photo courtesy of North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville, North Carolina

In the same article, the history of Asheville’s trolley system is relayed. According to the account, the first trolley test run occurred on Feb. 1, 1889. It featured three cars. Contractor, E.D. Davidson and engineer John H. Barnard are credited for the cars’ debut. The article goes on to note a publicity stunt carried out by Davidson that day: “When the foot of the South Main street (now Biltmore avenue) hill was reached, [Davidson] hitched six horses to one of the cars. The other two went up the hill on the power in triumph, while the six horses labored and struggled with theirs.”

On Sept. 7, 1934, the day after the final rides, The Asheville Citizen recapped the event. During the farewell tour, the Asheville Rotary Club hosted a fundraiser inside the seven streetcars, raising money for children with disabilities. While no fares were imposed on riders for the final trip, donations were accepted. The organization raised $144.71.

That day’s newspaper went on to report that “a quartet, led by H. Grady Reagan, chairman of the board of county commissioners, sang ‘The Last Round-Up,’ from the second story window of a building on College street … overlooking the cars.” Later on in the article, the crowd’s ambivalence was addressed: “Although the general motif was gay, there was an undercurrent of sadness among many of the passengers at the passing of the familiar streetcars which had served the city so long.”

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Thomas Calder
Thomas Calder received his MFA in Fiction from the University of Houston's Creative Writing Program. His writing has appeared in Gulf Coast, the Miracle Monocle, Juked and elsewhere. His debut novel, The Wind Under the Door, is now available.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

3 thoughts on “Asheville Archives: Asheville’s streetcars take a farewell tour, Sept. 6, 1934

  1. Terry Taylor

    Thomas, did you know that there was a motor court composed of decommissioned trolley cars? AA265 Fortune’s Street car Tourist Camp…..somewhere around about Arden is my best guess….is the postcard in the NC Collection. I just thought you might find that interesting. Hope you are well. Thanks for promoting Asheville history.

    Terry Taylor
    Friends of the NC Collection Board Member

    • Thomas Calder

      I did not know this, Terry. Thanks for sharing. And keep up those doctored postcards (they always make me laugh when I visit the NC Room).

      • Terry Taylor

        Oh you should see them all. I am working on an entire series of them. They won’t be shown at the show I’m having in November at a local space…..but the ones I’m exhibiting have the same spirit and you’d probably like them as well. I’ll send you an invite when the time draws nigh. Terry

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.