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Union Passenger Railway was the first successful electric street railway transit agency. It was formed in 1888 at Richmond. The system was designed by Frank Julian Sprague. After trials in late 1887, it began regular operation on February 2, 1888, with 10 streetcars. Electric power was supplied through overhead trolley wires (450 volts) for two 7.5 horsepower (5.6 kW) motors on each car. Running speed was 7.5 miles/hour, with 15 miles/hour as a maximum speed. By June 1888 the system contained 40 cars running on some 12 miles of track, including steep grades, and with 30 curves. |
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Richmond was settled by English settlers from Jamestown in 1609 near the site of a significant native settlement. The present city of Richmond was founded in 1737.
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| Brown's Island is named for Elijah Brown after he acquired the land in 1826. 1 owner tried to rename Neilson's Island, but it didn't stick! In 1863 the island became the home of the Confederate States Laboratory during the Civil War. The C.S. Laboratory produced ammunition, friction primers, percussion caps, and other ordnance for the Confederate war effort. In 1894, the Richmond Union Passenger Railway opened a coal power plant on the island. In 1899, Dominion Virginia Power opened a hydroelectric power plant on the island's east side, running off the Haxall Canal. |
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We all know that Patrick Henry gave his famous speech at St John's
Church in Church Hill but did you know EDGAR ALLEN POE has a mother
buried at St. Johns? |
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