A Short History of Milwaukee’s Old Streetcar System

What are the lessons from the streetcar’s death?

The Coverdale & Colpitts study had argued the streetcar had limitations making it inferior to trolleybuses and diesel buses. The only cities that built or were ordering new trains were for routes not sharing road space with autos.  Examples include Chicago’s “Els” or New York’s subways.

Conventional thinking at the time was to make the streets convenient for automobile drivers, and streetcars were viewed as traffic hindrances.  There was also a strong case showing trolleys were less safe because they lacked maneuverability in traffic. The rails could also be a slipping hazard for autos in poor weather, and passengers were at risk because they loaded in the middle of the street rather than at the sidewalk curb.

The study also made a safety comparison between streetcars and trackless trolleys along one route – Route 22 which went along Center Street. In 1940 the route still had a streetcar, but it had become trackless by 1947. The trackless trolley, while carrying over twice the number of passengers and going double the amount of vehicle miles, had virtually the same number of accidents as the streetcar did in 1940. Looking at it another way, in 1940 the streetcar along Route 22 had .7039 accidents per 1,000 vehicle miles while the trackless trolley in 1947 had .2880 accidents per 1,000 vehicle miles. This was, of course, only one route in a big city yet the authors felt safe using it as a model. citing the city Safety Commission’s position that the Center Street Route was typical a typical one in Milwaukee.

The new, 21st century streetcar system being constructed in Milwaukee will surely have the same limitation in not being able to move around obstacles or hazards. Reports from Washington D.C. have confirmed maneuverability remains an issue as the Federal City makes a fresh attempt at a street railway. In Milwaukee perhaps the newly installed rails could pose a slipping hazard in snow storms or severe rain. However, the new line would eliminate the old risk to pedestrians by loading and unloading along the sidewalk.

But a huge element of the proponents’ argument for the new system cites evidence that it will aid in boosting Milwaukee’s image, encourage economic advancement, and appeal to younger, college educated residents that cities try to attract.  And analysis of these arguments are beyond the scope and expertise of this article.

It is clear that Milwaukee’s historic trolleys were at one time vital to the city’s economy and how people lived their daily lives.  Former city leaders and the old transit company removed the old lines due to the changing times and economic realities. To them trackless trolleys and buses were safer and more efficient. Proponents of the new streetcar say the new technology will work better, that fixed rail attracts business and the trend today is moving away from auto traffic. Are they right? We’ll find out in the years to come.

Streetcar Maps and Renderings

Urban Milwaukee Streetcar Coverage

• Anti-Streetcar Petition Drive Fails – Bruce Murphy – March 5th, 2015
• Streetcar Signing Is Quite a Celebration – Michael Horne – February 13th, 2015
• Milwaukee Streetcar Approved – Jeramey Jannene – February 10th, 2015
• Who’s Lobbying for the Streetcar – Bruce Murphy – February 5th, 2015
• Will Streetcar Help the Inner City? – Bruce Thompson – February 4th, 2015
• City Attorney Says Streetcar Petitions Might be Moot – Bruce Murphy – January 30th, 2015
• Millennials And The Streetcar – Bruce Thompson – January 27th, 2015
• Streetcar Responses Show Wide Support – Jeramey Jannene – January 22nd, 2015
• Streetcar Approved, but Held – Jeramey Jannene – January 21st, 2015
• Koch-Funded Group Backs Anti-Streetcar Drive – Bruce Murphy – January 20th, 2015
• Streetcar Backers Say They Have the Votes – Jeramey Jannene – January 20th, 2015
• Who is Funding the Anti-Streetcar Effort? – Bruce Murphy – January 20th, 2015
• Will Anti-Streetcar Referendum Succeed? – Bruce Murphy – January 9th, 2015
• The Story Behind the Streetcar Referendum – Michael Horne and Bruce Murphy – January 8th, 2015
• Council Delays Streetcar Until January – Jeramey Jannene – December 16th, 2014
• Committee Takes No Action on Streetcar – Jeramey Jannene – December 10th, 2014
• Committee Approves Milwaukee Streetcar – Jeramey Jannene – December 9th, 2014
• RACM Approves Tax Funding for Streetcar – Michael Horne – December 8th, 2014
• How to Sell the Streetcar – Michael Horne – November 28th, 2014
• Next Stops for the Streetcar – Michael Horne – November 24th, 2014
• Barrett Moving Forward with Streetcar – Jeramey Jannene – November 18th, 2014
• Who Will Be Streetcar Operator – Michael Horne – May 8th, 2014
• A Streetcar Named Cooperation? – Dave Reid – April 27th, 2014
• How a Streetcar Spurs Development – Angie Schmitt – November 3rd, 2013
• Streetcar Social – Michael Horne – September 12th, 2013
• Mayor Says Streetcar is a “Trojan Horse” – Michael Horne – April 17th, 2013
• Whoops, We Changed Our Mind – Dave Reid – September 27th, 2012
• Battle of the Bobs: Donovan vs Bauman Streetcar Press Conference – Jeramey Jannene – May 18th, 2012
• Important Hoan Bridge and Milwaukee Streetcar Meetings This Week – Dave Reid – November 14th, 2011
• Milwaukee Streetcar Passes Common Council – Jeramey Jannene – July 26th, 2011
• Keep the Milwaukee Streetcar Moving Forward – Jeramey Jannene – July 8th, 2011
• Milwaukee Streetcar at Apex – Jeramey Jannene – June 16th, 2011
• Milwaukee Streetcar Takes Key Step Forward – Jeramey Jannene – May 6th, 2010
• Milwaukee Streetcar Meeting This Thursday – Jeramey Jannene – October 5th, 2009
• Milwaukee Streetcar Routes Unveiled by Mayor Barrett – Jeramey Jannene – September 21st, 2009
• Milwaukee Streetcar Round-Up – Jeramey Jannene – April 19th, 2009
• Vote for your Favorite Milwaukee Streetcar Route – Jeramey Jannene – March 25th, 2009
• Design Your Own Streetcar Route – Jeramey Jannene – March 23rd, 2009
• Streetcars Coming to Milwaukee – Dave Reid – March 14th, 2009

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