Omaha Horse Railway facts for kids
| Industry | Public transportation |
|---|---|
| Fate | Merged |
| Successor | Omaha and Council Bluffs Railway and Bridge Company |
| Founded | 1867 |
| Defunct | 1889 |
| Headquarters | Omaha |
|
Key people
|
Ezra Millard, Andrew J. Hanscom, Augustus Kountze, William W. Marsh |
The Omaha Horse Railway was a company that helped people get around in early Omaha, Nebraska. It was started in 1867 by important Omaha leaders like Ezra Millard, Andrew J. Hanscom, and Augustus Kountze. Their goal was to offer horsecar rides, which were like buses pulled by horses.
On February 19, 1867, the government of Nebraska Territory gave the company special permission. They received a 50-year agreement to be the only company allowed to build tracks on Omaha's streets. The company later had a big court case in 1888. They sued another company for trying to use the streets, saying it broke their special agreement.
Contents
How the Horse Railway Started and Grew
The first official meeting for the company happened on May 1, 1867. It took place at the Omaha National Bank. After the company began, Omaha grew very quickly in the 1870s. Many new businesses started, and the city's size doubled in 15 years.
The Horse Railway found it hard to keep up with all this growth. To improve their service, they changed from using horses to using mules. They also painted their cars yellow to make them look better. By the late 1870s, the company had about 18 miles (29 km) of track. They owned 10 cars and 70 animals, and had 20 employees. About 495,000 people rode their cars each year.
New Owners and Challenges
The company faced some tough times in the mid to late 1870s. Because of this, a man named William W. Marsh bought a major share of the company. He bought it from A.J. Hanscom. Marsh officially took over on January 1, 1879.
In 1887, a new company called the Omaha Cable Tramway Company started. This meant the Horse Railway now had a competitor. The two companies decided to join together in 1889.
The Big Court Case
Before they merged, the Horse Railway Company took the Cable Tramway Company to court in 1888. They also sued the City of Omaha. The Horse Railway argued that their special 50-year agreement was being broken. The City of Omaha had held a public vote. This vote allowed the Cable Tramway to compete, which went against the original agreement.
The court decided in favor of the Cable Tramway Company. This meant they could share the streets. However, the court also ordered the Cable Tramway Company to pay the Horse Railway for any money they lost. This court case was important because of how the judge explained the rules. The judge said the special agreement only applied to companies running horse railways. It did not apply to cable car companies.
This decision allowed other types of transportation to compete. Before this, the Horse Railway had a monopoly, meaning they were the only ones. This court ruling helped change how public transportation worked in America.
By 1902, the company that was formed from these mergers became the Omaha and Council Bluffs Railway and Bridge Company. This happened after several other companies joined together over 20 years.
Where the Horse Railway Tracks Went
When the company was first given permission, the government said the tracks had to be built by 1869. The first route started on Cuming Street and went south to Cass Street. It then turned onto 18th Street and went along Capitol Avenue to South 15th. At Farnam Street, it turned east and went to 9th Street, ending at the Union Station. This first route was about three miles (5 km) long.
Other tracks were added over time. A double track was put on Farnam Street between 10th and 15th Streets. Another track went from North 20th Street along Cuming to Saunders Street. It then followed Saunders Street to Hamilton.
Another line went from Cuming Street and 20th to 18th Street. It then went north along 18th Street to Kountze Place. Kountze Place was in the far northern part of the city at that time. A line also ran from Capitol Avenue up North 16th Street to Izard Street. From Izard, it connected to the line going to Kountze Place at 18th Street. In the southern part of Downtown Omaha, a track was laid from Farnam Street to 9th Street to Davenport. From Davenport, it went to 10th Street and back to Farnam. Finally, a track was laid from Farnam down 15th Street and out Howard and St. Mary's Avenue to Hanscom Park.
