Streetcar People
Mrs. Byers Recalls Ride on City's First Electric Line
Published in a Columbus Newspaper, September, 1938
It was just 49 years ago this September [Sept. 1889] when a rickety, queer-looking, groaning vehicle - Columbus's first electric car - jiggled its way out West Broad Street with an electrician at the controls, piloting its first test run. At a downtown corner it stopped and the electrician George Baker leaned his head out of the front window.
"Hey - Mrs. Byers - you're going out my way," he yelled. "I'll take you out - if you aren't afraid."
Young Mrs. Byers laughed nervously and climbed aboard the car, her market basket in her hand.
. . . . . . click here to read more about Mrs. Byers streetcar ride.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Rise, Fall of Electric lines Recalled by Floyd Clunis
Columbus Dispatch, September 4,1948
By Spike Drugan
In the spring of 1902 a young man named Floyd G. Clunis wanted to become a conductor on the Columbus, Buckeye Lake & Newark traction line.
He got the job at company's main office in Newark, Ohio, and has been riding trolley cars ever since.
In those 46 years, Mr. Clunis has witnessed the growth and decline of electric powered interurban and local street cars. Mr. Clunis has many memories of those years when the speedy interurbans brought cities closer together. The passing of the horse and buggy became a reality.
. . . . . . click here to read more about Mr. Clunis career.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spanning Streetcars and Busses
By Perry Morison
Columbus Dispatch - Nov. 17, 1957
Tomorrow morning when Oscar R. Hott hangs up his hat in his office at 43 W. Long Street he won't believe the calendar at all.
He's president of Columbus Transit Co., and tomorrow he will complete 50 years with transportation in Columbus going back to the old street car which bounced along High St., always in a hurry.
He comes by transportation honestly. His father, the late Charles E. Hott, was with the street car company here some 40 years, too.
His father's devotion to his job rubbed off on young Oscar and his bent at being meticulous about his work stems from his dad.
. . . . . . click here to read more about Mr. Hott life as a streetcar executive.