Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."
STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor
Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" is entitled "When streetcars rode the rails."
This article is not about an address location but rather the topic of Hutchinson's public transportation system.
On June 5, 1886, John Severance (Severance Street's namesake) was granted a 21-year franchise to construct, maintain and operate a street railway in Hutchinson.
At first, the railway cars were either horse or mule drawn. The first photo shows one of those railway cars on Main Street in front of the Missouri-Pacific railway station at Avenue C and Main in 1903, complete with a coal stove for winter warming.
In 1906, the streetcar line franchise was let to Emerson Carey and electrified. The second photo shows opening day on Sept. 1 of the electric trolleys, complete with a band.
The third photo shows car #52 and drivers in 1910.
The fourth photo shows car #57 on the turntable.
The fifth photo shows car #58 in front of the Carnegie Library at 5th and Main being piloted by B.F. Reger (Perry Reger's grandfather) in 1915.
Hutchinson was one of the first cities in Kansas to have electric trolleys. The sixth photo shows the current form of public transportation (the RCAT buses) housed at Ave. B and Adams in front of the transfer station.
To purchase a photo print, contact: [email protected].
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum