Street carIn 1832, the first horse drawn American street car in the U.S. began public operation in New York City. Named the John Mason (after its owner, a prominent New York banker) it was equipped with iron wheels and drawn over iron rails laid in the center of the road along 4th Avenue from Prince St to 14th St. Thirty passengers were carried in three non-connecting compartments with 10 seats in each. The fare was 12-1/2 cents. An earlier trip was made 14 Nov 1832 to show the street car to municipal officials carried onboard. (The John Mason was the first horse-drawn streetcar, although horses had been used at an earlier date to pull trains on railroad track lines.) The line prospered, encouraging franchises in other cities.[Image: San Diego horse car from 1886 during a 1911 parade] |
