St. Charles Avenue Streetcar
"The Power is On"

By: Nancy of ThePastWhispers.com

They've turned the power on for the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line and they're doing testing now! What a wonderful day for the city and the folks along the line. This line (then run by the N.O. Railways & Light Co.) started in 1835---in those days, the cars were pulled by horses and mules. (No, I wasn't around for that.)

They restored service to the Canal Street line some time ago, but the St. Charles line, a much longer route, was more heavily damaged. I've been in touch with one of the dedicated men who've been working almost non-stop to get the line up and running. When the power is turned on for good and service re-commences, it will be a proud day for him and for all of the workers on this venerable old line!

I've been promising Sarah a ride on the St. Charles streetcar as soon as it came back and I can hardly wait. Below are a few of my favorite photos.


Springtime on the line.


St. Charles streetcar as it passes in front of Gallier Hall (which served as City Hall from 1853 til the 1950's).


A rainy summer evening.

St. Charles streetcar during one of New Orleans' very infrequent snow falls.

This is the Canal line streetcar just as it reaches the Mississippi River and makes its turn to go back.


This little picture gallery wouldn't be complete without a Desire streetcar, this photo ca. 1948. There's no longer a streetcar named Desire, but it was still running when Tennessee Williams wrote his play of that title. I always search the faces of the engineers and conductors carefully when I run into pictures from the 1940's-1950's, hoping to catch a glimpse of my dad, but, so far, no luck!