Carlines to the Columbia: The Streetcars of Northeast Portland

A richly illustrated history tracing the rise and fall of streetcars in Northeast Portland from 1888 to 1948.

The story of the role played by streetcars in the development of Northeast Portland, Oregon begins in 1888, when rails were laid northward through virgin timber and bottomland towards the Columbia River. Tracks soon also extended eastward along a prehistoric dirt road leading toward the Columbia Slough. Many twists and turns were encountered before the last steel wheel turned in 1948.

This tale of technological change, entrepreneurship, and murder is illustrated with carefully selected archival photographs, many never published. The first horse-drawn streetcars are seen plodding along Grand Avenue in 1888. The steam “dummies” that took over are remembered in an 1893 image showing a fatal derailment. Amazing scenes depict narrow-gauge interurbans hurtling across high trestles. A unique subject is The Dragon, the system’s only articulated streetcar. Beauty is on display in views of Portland’s last new cars, the streamlined Broadways of 1932.

Each chapter focuses on a classic city line that served Northeast Portland and begins with a map created for the book. A final section brings things up to date following the introduction of light rail here in 2001.