First U.S. street carIn 1832, the first street car to be used in the U.S. took its initial trip with municipal officals in New York City. It was named the John Mason, after the prominent New York banker who founded the service, who had it built by John Stephenson's company. The carriage was horse-drawn and rode on iron wheels along iron rails laid in the middle of the road. The track ran along Fourth Avenue from Prince Street to 14th Street. The carriage had three non-connecting compartments, each able to carry ten passengers. Public transportation began on 26 Nov 1832 for a fare of 12-1/2 cents. Although horses had previously been used to haul trains on railroad tracks, this was the first horse-drawn street-car.[Image: Front compartment (of three) on John Mason street car.] |
