DT Data Page #: 586

Newspaper: Humboldt Times

Newspaper Date: 9/19/1915

Page #: 12

Item Type: History

Place: Eureka

Text: A short History of the Eureka street Car System has been reported by Miss Helen G. Wood of the State Normal School in Arcata. Her paper will be kept in the library of the St. Normal School for future reference. The first system consisted of 3 horse drawn cars. Pat Collins, John Xinfara were the first and second drivers. There was one shift from 6Am- 11:30 PM and cars ran every 15 minutes. The car barn was built where the current Hotel Flop De Italia stands and when the tide was high the worker ran into the barn. The owners of this system were Richard Fernard (?) or Fernaci), - Jacob Sowash, E.A. Deming, G. Peming and W.B. Yocum. The first franchise was requested in 1888. The company operated for 4-5 years. Zintara became the sole owner and sold it at auction. For a time the city had no streetcar system until the electric co. was incorp., as the Hum. Transit Co. J.C. Bull, jr.; George Henderson, R.M. Bull, J.C. Bull and Charles Cutter, put the co. together. Ultimately the stock became owned by W. Butterworth of Illinois.

Key Words: Streetcar System, History, Cars

Microfilm Call # : MF 10