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Seattle Municipal Archives Finding Aids

Street Railways

 Subject
Subject Source: Local sources

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Franchise Reports

 Series
Identifier: 1802-B2
Scope and Contents note

Statements by franchise holders including name, character of franchise, length, date originally granted, original holder of franchise, date of franchise transfer (if applicable), officers of company or corporation, ordinance numbers granting franchise, and other information concerning the franchise. The bulk of reports relate to railroad and street railway franchises, but also include telephone and telegraph services, utilities, and fire alarm systems.

Dates: 1898-1986

Puget Sound Traction, Light and Power Company Maps and Property Inventory

 Series
Identifier: 1802-D8
Scope and Contents note The Municipal Street Railway System was formed in 1919 when the City purchased the Seattle street car rail lines of the Puget Sound Traction, Light and Power Company, Seattle Division. Voters approved the purchase on November 5, 1918. The Company was owned by Stone & Webster, based in Massachusetts, which purchased utilities and street railways in the late 1890s. Formed in 1898 by Stone & Webster, the Seattle Electric Company consolidated property and rights of small transportation...
Dates: 1918

Register of Franchise Reports

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1805-02
Scope and Contents note

Annual franchise statements required by Ordinance 4953. Includes name of franchise holder, character of franchise, length, date granted, to whom originally granted, date transferred if applicable, whether holder is person or corporation, owners/officers, ordinance granting franchise, and comments. Franchises include telephone and telegraph, railroads, electric street railway, water systems, electric power lines, gas lines, and fire alarm systems among others.

Dates: 1898-1911

George Benson Transportation Subject Files

 Series
Identifier: 4614-05
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, reports, studies, committee minutes, news releases, and notes relating to City transportation and traffic issues. The bulk of the records concern reestablishing the electric trolley system and developing the Waterfront Streetcar.

Dates: 1972-1987