| Transportation history: It’s electric ⚡️ |
The streetcar system, as seen on a 20th century postcard. | Photo via VCU Libraries Digital Collections
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| Rapid transit is on the rise in Richmond. Talk of expanding the GRTC Pulse has included stretching the line further west and adding perpendicular equivalents. But over 130 years ago, Richmond was a leader in transportation innovation — thanks to the electric streetcar. Several communities had tried to create electric trolley services before the Richmond system cracked the code. Frank Sprague, a former technical assistant to Thomas Edison, designed the system. Before the advent of electricity, the primary method of transport in cities were horse-drawn vehicles. Many city streets had built-in rails in order to improve the speed and capacity of these vehicles, so the potential of incorporating electricity had captivated the imagination of many around the globe. Sprague used many of his own inventions to design a 12-mile electric rail system for the Richmond Union Passenger Railway, which would open on February 2, 1888. In September, the Boston City Council observed the success of the Richmond system in person and returned home to approve an electric street railway of its own — the second in the world. Hundreds of cities followed suit, with almost 900 similar systems built in the country by 1895. The Richmond system would expand to 82 miles, expanding in tandem with the new suburban neighborhoods in the city. The trolley system was also the site of several social and political struggles, including a 1903 worker strike and a 1904 boycott in protest of racial segregation. By 1949, the proliferation of buses and personal vehicles, propelled by General Motors — more on that criminal conspiracy here — had signed the death warrant for Richmond’s streetcars. Trolley No. 408 was burned on December 15, 1949. It would take over six decades for rapid transit to return to the River City. |
| QUIZ |
| What was the fare for a streetcar ride in 1888? |
| A. 5 cents B. 7 cents C. 10 cents D. 20 cents |
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| Arthur Ashe and the Australian Open 🎾 |
Arthur Ashe plays in the Southern California Sectional in 1966. | Photo via UCLA Charles E. Young Research Library Department of Special Collections
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| The Australian Open starts today at Melbourne Park. 53 years ago, Richmonder Arthur Ashe became the first Black man to win the singles title at the Australian Open — two years after accomplishing the same feat at the US Open. As a child, Ashe developed his talent for tennis at Brook Field playground, where his father was supervisor. Virginia Union student Ronald Charity became his coach and connected him with the American Tennis Association in 1953. He started working his way up amateur rankings, facing difficulties due to racial segregation at competitions. Decades later, Ashe was winning bigger titles, including a singles victory at Wimbledon in 1975. He won a men’s doubles title at the Australian Open with partner Tony Roche in 1977. Bonus: Get an insight on Ashe’s strategic mind in this 1980 segment from “The Dick Cavett Show.” |
| THE WRAP |
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Today’s issue was written by Robin.
Editor’s pick: The city is still on the hunt for the next Richmond Poet Laureate. Read up on the role and apply before Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Missed our last newsletter? Check out these MLK Day events and volunteering opportunities.
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