Houston Electric, The Street Railways Of Houston, Texas

STEVEN M. BARON

Publication: Published By Steven M Baron, 1996, Lexington, Kentucky

First edition. 4to. Signed and dated on the title page by the author, Green cloth, titles stamped in gilt on the front cover and spine, viii, 223 pp., preface and acknowledgments, introduction, illustrated mostly from photographs, maps, double column, appendix, notes, bibliography, index. "In 1975, when author Steven Baron relocated to Houston, Texas, he was surprised to find that virtually no formal history of the city's former street railway system existed. Ever the true rail fan, he put his considerable research and writing talents to work to fill the void, and produced a masterful, definitive account of street rail transit in one of America's largest cities. Baron covers all aspects of the fascinating story, at once similar to the twists and turns of fate experienced by street railways across the country while retaining a flavor and character that is distinctly Houston. The reader follows the evolution of the Houston system from the first mule car lines in the 1860s, to electrification in the early 1890s and the subsequent rapid expansion of the early 1900s, to post-World War I ridership declines, financial struggles, and final conversion to bus in 1940. All of the elements at play in this great saga ... including the politicians, promoters, business leaders, car crews, and the riding public ... are represented in depth. A thorough history is further enhanced by detailed sections on each line, car rosters and descriptions, system maps, company reports, human interest sidebars, and more. The book is liberally illustrated with hundreds of vintage photographs not only of the cars themselves, but of Houston and its environs. In addition are a number of period ads produced by Houston Electric promoting its services are interspersed throughout the pages. Additional chapters cover the street railways of nearby Galveston and Texas City, along with interurban railway activity in the region. A truly remarkable book." Fine, bright copy in dust jacket.

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