Industrial Revolution (1800’s-1940’s)
39 Decline of Streetcars in American Cities
Justin Reynoso and Samuel Bradley
Introduction
The rise of automobiles in the early 20th century fundamentally reshaped urban transportation in American cities, playing a pivotal role in the decline of streetcars. Offering unmatched individual mobility and flexibility, automobiles quickly became symbols of modernity and personal freedom. As cars became more affordable, ownership expanded, prompting a shift away from public transportation. This transition was fueled by improvements in road infrastructure, aggressive marketing campaigns, and continuous technological advancements, leading to a comprehensive transformation in transportation preferences. However, the decline of streetcar systems was not solely due to the rise of automobiles; shifting urban planning priorities and political decisions favoring the automotive industry also played crucial roles. Regardless of the cause, the once-prominent streetcars that shaped daily life in major American cities vanished almost overnight.
Factors that led to the decline
The Rise of Automobiles
Automobiles provided unparalleled individual mobility, allowing people to travel directly from home to their destinations without adhering to fixed transit routes. The increasing affordability of cars made ownership accessible to a broader population, reducing reliance on public transportation. The convenience and flexibility of personal schedules further enhanced the appeal of automobiles over the structured timetables of streetcars.
Additionally, advancements in road infrastructure, extensive marketing emphasizing the cultural significance of car ownership, and ongoing innovations in the automotive industry reinforced the image of automobiles as symbols of progress and independence. As cities and individuals embraced this transformation, streetcar systems experienced a steady decline, unable to compete with the growing preference for automobile travel.
Changing Urban Planning Priorities
Urban planning decisions in the early 20th century increasingly prioritized automobile-friendly infrastructure, marginalizing streetcar systems. Cities expanded with roadways designed to accommodate the growing number of automobiles, often at the expense of fixed-route streetcars. Highways and widened roads created challenges for streetcar networks, reducing their efficiency and appeal. City planners focused on building infrastructure that facilitated car and bus movement, relegating streetcar lines to the periphery of urban transportation. As a result, the built environment became less conducive to streetcar operations, further diminishing their role in American cities.
Political Influence and Policy Decisions
The decline of streetcars was also influenced by political decisions that often favored the automotive industry. In some cases, municipal governments actively supported road infrastructure projects over public transit, reflecting a broader shift toward accommodating automobiles. Policies such as zoning regulations and land-use planning further reinforced car-centric urban development, making cities increasingly dependent on automobiles. While the extent to which politicians were directly influenced by the automotive industry remains debated, lobbying efforts and economic incentives likely played a role in shaping these policy decisions. This political landscape contributed to the decline of streetcars as policymakers prioritized automobile-friendly initiatives.
“Junked streetcars” is in the Public Domain
Connection to sts
The decline of streetcars in American cities can be analyzed through the lens of Science, Technology, and Society (STS), which examines the interplay between technological advancements and societal changes. The transition from streetcars to automobiles was not just a technological shift but also a reflection of evolving societal preferences and values.
STS highlights how technology and society influence each other, illustrating that the decline of streetcars was driven by Americans’ acceptance of automobiles as symbols of personal freedom and progress. The shift in urban planning to accommodate cars further marginalized public transit, altering the design of cities. Additionally, the decline had social equity implications, disproportionately affecting communities without access to automobiles. The broader consequences of this technological shift emphasize the need to consider societal impacts when developing and adopting new transportation technologies.
Missing voices
One of the missing voices in discussions of the decline of streetcars and urban planning policies is that of the Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul, Minnesota. Rondo was a predominantly African American community known for its vibrant culture and close-knit identity. However, in the 1960s, the construction of Interstate 94 cut directly through the heart of Rondo, displacing thousands of residents and demolishing homes and businesses.
Before the highway’s construction, Rondo had access to streetcar lines operated by the Twin City Rapid Transit Company, which connected various neighborhoods within St. Paul and Minneapolis. Streetcars provided an affordable and reliable means of transportation for commuting, shopping, and daily activities. However, as automobiles became the dominant mode of transportation and urban planning shifted to favor highway construction, streetcar systems declined. The construction of I-94 not only displaced the Rondo community but also disrupted its existing transportation infrastructure, compounding the challenges faced by residents. The removal of public transit options disproportionately impacted communities without access to cars, highlighting the social consequences of these transportation decisions.
Conclusion
The early 20th century witnessed a profound transformation in American urban transportation, driven by the rise of automobiles and the subsequent decline of streetcars. Automobiles, offering greater individual mobility, affordability, and a sense of personal ownership, reshaped societal attitudes toward transportation. Changes in urban planning further accelerated this shift, prioritizing automobile-friendly infrastructure while marginalizing streetcar systems. Highways and widened roads designed for cars presented challenges for fixed-route streetcars, relegating them to the outskirts of transportation planning.
Political decisions also played a role, as municipal governments, sometimes influenced by the growing automotive industry, prioritized road infrastructure over public transit. Zoning regulations and land-use policies further reinforced car-oriented development. Ultimately, the widespread embrace of automobiles led to the decline of streetcars, marking the end of an era in public transportation and ushering in a new age of automobile-centric urban mobility.
AI USE DISCLOSURE
Chatgpt was used to assist me in giving me an outline to write this chapter
“Chatgpt.” ChatGPT, openai.com/chatgpt.
I used scite.ai in order to find sources for this chapter.
scite.ai. (2023). scite.ai (beta version) [Large Language Model]. https://scite.ai/assistant
SOurces
A Streetcar City | National Museum of American history. (n.d.). https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/america-on-the-move/online/street car-city
Ferner, Mike. Death by Automobile (Decline in American Passenger Train and Streetcar Services). Trains, vol. 57, no. 4, Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1997, p. 74.
Jackson, A. T. Austin’s Streetcar Era. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, vol. 58, no. 2, 1954, pp. 235–48. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/30237667. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.
Rasmussen, Cecilia. Did Auto, Oil Conspiracy Put the Brakes on Trolleys? Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2003. www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-23-me-then23-story.html.
Snell, Bradford. (Autumn 1995). The Streetcar Conspiracy: How General Motors Deliberately Destroyed Public Transit.
Cusick, Julia, et al. When Communities Didn’t Have a Say. Center for American Progress, 6 Oct. 2023, www.americanprogress.org/article/communities-didnt-say/.
Marshall, C. (2016). Story of Cities #29: Los Angeles and the ‘Great American Streetcar Scandal’. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/apr/25/story-cities-los-angeles-great-american-streetcar-scandal.
Thompson, Richard. (2017). Lost Oregon Streetcars. The History Press.
