Colorado Springs and Interurban Railway facts for kids
The Colorado Springs and Interurban Railway (CS&IR) was an electric trolley system in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It helped people travel around the city and its nearby towns. The CS&IR operated for about 30 years, from 1902 to 1932.
The company was created when a man named Winfield Scott Stratton bought an older railway. He combined it with another company in 1902. The trolleys served Colorado Springs, its suburbs, and Manitou Springs. One of the original streetcars from this railway is now a historic item in Colorado.
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How Trolleys Started in Colorado Springs
Before electric trolleys, people used horse-drawn trolleys. These started in Colorado Springs in 1887. They ran between the city's main business area and Colorado College. By 1888, there were ten horse-drawn trolleys.
In 1890, a new company called Colorado Springs Rapid Transit Railway took over. They brought the first electric trolley line to Manitou Springs in October 1890. This was a big change from using horses! By 1898, the electric trolleys went to many places. They reached Colorado City to the west and Knob Hill to the east. They also connected to the main train station. By 1900, there were 44 electric trolleys helping people get around.
The Interurban Railway Company is Formed
The Colorado Springs & Interurban Railway Company was officially formed in 1902. This happened after Winfield Scott Stratton bought the Colorado Springs Rapid Transit Railway. He combined it with another company, the Colorado Springs & Suburban Railway Company.
By 1903, the trolleys could take people to a special park beyond Boulevard Park. The main north-south line went from a loop in the town of Roswell.
The number of people riding the Colorado Springs and Interurban Railway was highest in 1911. But after that, more people started buying cars. This made it harder for the trolley company to make money.
By 1916, the railway had offices at 530 South Tejon Street. There were special cars that ran from the main post office to the Printer's Home. The east-west main line went from Manitou's Iron Springs area. It continued eastward through Garden of the Gods to the Balanced Rock Station.
In 1917, the system had 56 motor cars and 13 trail cars. It covered about 38 miles of track. The trolleys served many areas, including Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs, Ivywild, and Roswell.
Over the years, the trolley lines expanded even more. They went east to North Colorado Springs and south to the Ivywild and Broadmoor areas. A branch line also ran on Spruce and Walnut streets.
The End of the Trolley Era
In 1931, buses started to replace the trolley cars. The very last electric tram ran on April 30, 1932. In the mid-1930s, most of the old streetcar rails were removed.
Today, the place where the Colorado Springs & Interurban power house used to be is still an electrical power station. It is now used by Colorado Springs Utilities.
A Historic Trolley Car
In 1901, Winfield Scott Stratton ordered new streetcars for the Colorado Springs & Suburban Railway. These were the first cars he bought for the system. They had special safety features. For example, they had steps that could be pulled in and windows that could be adjusted while moving. They also had separate sections for people who smoked and those who didn't.
These cars were an important step in making trolleys stronger. They started using steel frames instead of just wood. Colorado Springs & Interurban Railway Streetcar No. 59 is the only car left from that original order. It is now listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties because it is so important to history.
