Trolley Thursday 4/8/21 - The Golden Age of San Francisco's Cable Cars

Like every great American story, San Francisco's cable cars are a story of grit, determination, and innovation in the face of adversity. However, like we mentioned last time, the era of the cable car was not simply a flat line to success. As this unique mode of transportation picked up in popularity across the city (and across the United States), there soon arose a rift in how the cars were built and operated. Do we go with side-grip or horizontal-grip? Do we add curves to the line or not? What to even do with a rotating horsecar? All of these questions, and more, will now be answered on today's Trolley Thursday, celebrating the Golden Age of San Francisco's Cable Cars!

Trolley Tuesday 4-6-21 - Andrew Smith Hallidie and the Creation of the San Francisco Cable Car

Every time we start a new month here on Trolley Tuesdays and Trolley Thursdays, my editor Nakkune and I ensure to deliver unto you (the reader) a complete history of what we're talking about so you can get the proper historical context for everything we're going to talk about. Most of the time, trying to find the specific history of a streetcar system is quite difficult as almost all streetcar systems grew out quite organically, and with often faceless individuals helming the mighty companies that shaped city life forever. However, this month can deliver a face, a date, and a place: Andrew Smith Hallidie; August 2, 1873; San Francisco, CA. Despite being such an iconic part of the City by the Bay, few know or are aware of the man who invented one of America's few unique moving museums, so on today's Trolley Tuesday let's rectify that as we look back on the life and inventions of Mr. Andrew Smith Hallidie, the Father of the Cable Car!