Early Austin Transportation(1870s-1940s)

Austin Early Transportation Background

Austin, the capital of Texas, is one of the most popular cities in America. In 1870, there were only 4,428 residents who lived in Austin[1]. As the local government improved the transportation system, more and more people moved into Austin and settled. In 2013, the estimated population of Austin was about 842,592[2], 190 times the population in 1870. The transportation system is a very important part in Austin; it supported local business and allowed people to increase work efficiency.

Figure [1]. Congress Avenue and 7th Street view in 1877.

AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN EARLY 1870

Figure [2]. The mule car in 1870s.

The main transportation in Austin in early 1870s was the mule car. This street transportation system was created by Dr. J. J. Tobin and Dr. W. H. Tobin[1]. The mule car had 12-seats and was towed by a horse or a donkey. However, this transportation system was not very efficient. In Figure 1, a mule car is shown on Congress Avenue. Figure 2 shows the normal look of the mule car in 1873.

Austin’s first Railway

In December, 1871, The Houston and Texas Central Railway Company decided to build a railroad in Austin, the city’s first railroad connection. This railroad helped Austin to transform into a significant trading center in Texas because it was the only railroad city in many directions and serves as the most west ro ends in the state. As the railroad was established, Austin’s population broke the records: “Construction boomed and the population more than doubled in five years to 10,363. The many foreign-born newcomers gave Austin's citizenry a more heterogeneous character. By 1875 there were 757 inhabitants from Germany, 297 from Mexico, 215 from Ireland, and 138 from Sweden. For the first time a Mexican-American community took root in Austin.”[1] The big crowd of newcomers brought new business to Austin and helped the local economy grow.

Figure [3]. Austin’s first train arrived on December 26, 1871.

Electric Streetcar

Since the mule streetcar was not efficient enough, Austin considered building a new streetcar system. A developer from Kansas named Monroe Shipe exploited a plot of land in the north area of Austin, named “Hyde Park”. Hyde Park was considered the best home site in Austin. Shipe planned ahead to plant trees, placed houses next to the lake, and built a theater. However, it was too far from the town center. Since most of the residents worked and settled in the downtown area, it is very hard for Shipe to sale these property without a convenience transportation system from Hyde Park to downtown. In order to attract homebuyers, Shipe got a franchise from the Austin Rapid Transit Railway Company in 1889 and built an electric streetcar line between Hyde Park and downtown. In February 1891, the Austin Rapid Transit Company started to operate the first electric streetcar.

Figure [4]. A 1925 map of Austin with the streetcar lines highlighted.

This electric streetcar line was a big hit at 1890s. More than 2,000 Austin inhabitants rode this line the first day. This line carried a big part of the heavy traffic and benefited the local residents a lot because it allowed city-residents to live further from their working place. People can easily transport between these two places. This electric streetcar system ran for fifty years, from 1891 to 1940. Many upper class residents bought property at the Hyde Park because it has better living environment. The electric car transportation system allowed the increase of distance between home and workplace. Also more people can enjoy their personal life with better land views and entertaining activities away from the downtown area. This transportation system also encouraged many estate developer to build houses in the countryside.[3]

Figure [5]. Streetcars prepare for maiden passage.

Footnotes:
SOURCE:
[1] Humphrey, David C. June 9, 2010. AUSTIN, TX (TRAVIS COUNTY).
  http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hda03
[2] Austin Population 2013. September 1, 2013. World Population Statistics.
  http://www.worldpopulationstatistics.com/austin-population-2013/
[3] Hunt, Bruce. March 17, 2013. Austin’s First Electric Streetcar Era.
  https://notevenpast.org/austins-first-electric-streetcar-era/
MEDIA:
[M1]. Austin’s first train arrived on December 26, 1871.
  http://www.austinlibrary.com
[M2]The mule car in 1870s.
  http://www.cable-car-guy.com
[M3]. Austin’s first train arrived on December 26, 1871.
  http://www.austinlibrary.com
[M4]. A 1925 map of Austin with the streetcar lines highlighted.
  https://notevenpast.org
[M5]. Streetcars prepare for maiden passage.
     http://www.austinlibrary.com