New Orleans is one of the most photogenic cities in the country, there’s no doubt about it. Jackson Square, City Park, and the French Quarter are easily some of the most popular places to photograph when you visit the Big Easy, but one of the most photographed attractions in New Orleans is one that moves around quite a bit, and that’s our streetcars. They’re more than just a convenient mode of transportation, they’re an incredible piece of history that just so happens to also be on wheels. Today, we’ll learn a little bit about the history of one of the most photographed streetcars in the county, the St. Charles Streetcar Line. Let’s check it out.
The St. Charles Streetcar line is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world, and one of the most photographed streetcars in the country.
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Not only is it one of the most recognizable cable cars in the country, but it’s one of the most historic, too.
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It has been in operation since 1835, taking passengers along St. Charles for many, many years.
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Planning for the streetcar line began in 1831 and was completed in 1835 with both passenger and freight services that were powered by steam locomotives.
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As more and more people settled into the area, the soot and noise produced by the locomotives began to cause some problems so the locomotives were swapped out for cars that were pulled by horses and mules until 1893 when the line switched to electric powered cars.
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In 1973, the St. Charles streetcar line was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
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And in 2014, it was added as a National Historic Landmark.
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Our line and the San Francisco cable car system are the only two moving streetcar National Historic Landmarks in the country.
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When’s the last time you took a ride on the St. Charles Streetcar? It’s a beautiful time of year to take a ride on the rails, so get outside and explore your city!
Bruce Yuanyue Bi/Getty Images
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So the next time you see one, snap that picture!
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Address: New Orleans, LA, USA
