Question: In the 1930s Lexington had “street cars” running on tracks with overhead connection to power lines.  When did they start and end? Why were they disconnected?

Answer: This question can be answered by reading the book by J. Winston Coleman Jr. The Squire’s Sketches of Lexington. The first street cars in Lexington were actually introduced on Aug. 12, 1882, and were drawn by mules. Nine miles of track were laid, 30 mules and 15 small wooden cars were used. Runs were made to several points in the city. In the spring of 1890, the mule-drawn car system went out of business, after having served the city for seven and a half years. The first electric street car appeared on the streets of Lexington on September 1, 1890, and soon the city was served with 15-18 miles of street car service. Lexington’s last street car (No. 206) made the final run April 2, 1938, after motor buses replaced the electric street cars.

 Linda Niemi

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