Description of the image is from the Evening Express - July 1, 1967
The Old City Hall at Market Square on the right would be replaced by
the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in 1888. The Victory Monument
area is known as Monument Square. The image posted above
2009_2_32_098 is from the O. R. Cummings Collection
at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, circa 1867
An ad for Randall & McAllister courtesy the South Portland Historical Society
I was invited by Aimee Keithan, Educational Program Manager at the
Greater Portland Landmarks non-profit organization to be one of the guest speakers at a public
presentation hosted by the Portland Public Library. My talking points would
be about the early Horse Railroad, its transition to being an electric railway, and then
ending when buses took over. Looking to have Forest Avenue featured. The
other guest speaker, Myles Smith, co-founder of Omnium Collective,
talked about automobiles' impact in Portland, also featuring Forest Avenue.
This post will have the slides I used during my portion of the public presentation. I have added photos, newspaper articles, links to related topics, etc., with the majority of the materials focused on the Horse Railroad years 1860-1895. I did include some electric railway-related materials and include a link to a post I released in 2018 that does the opposite, meaning that post focuses on the electric railway, with some information about the Horse Railroad.
I will work to add materials to this post. Updating posts is a nice option. I'm open to receiving input from viewers to help clarify any of the historically questionable aspects or any missing content. There are many newspaper clippings.
Click Here: for the post on the Portland Railroad that focuses on more Electrics from 1891- on
I've been a member of the Seashore Trolley Museum in
Kennebunkport, Maine, for 35 years. That membership has been
inspired me over the years to want to help the public learn
about transportation history related to electric railways, in particular,
Maine lines.
The Seashore Trolley Museum hosts many awesome public events
throughout the year, including winter months at the incredible
Model Railroad building. Check out the regular operating
schedule and all the special events - Click Here for Events
The Narcissus is the "Elegant Ride" Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Former POTUS Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger aboard the
Narcissus on August 18, 1914, while he campaigned between the
two major Maine cities for the Progressive Party candidates.
The multi-award-winning book, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and
the Elegant Ride, by Maine author Jean Flahive, is a wonderful book
with numerous educational resources available.
We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts
Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivates, fascinates, then generates interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The www.narcissus1912.blogspot.com blog posts are popular. More
than 100,000 page views in March 2026. Posts on Theodore Roosevelt's
connections to communities in Maine, history-related posts on the
Portland-Lewiston Interurban, the Narcissus, and all the electric railways
that operated in Maine, and many other related topics.
All these photos of Horse Railroad cars are from the O. R. Cummings Collection
at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. O.R. was
the Museum's historian for many, many years. He published more
than 50 books about electric railway lines in New England.
I am grateful to have known O. R. He was a big supporter of the
Narcissus, and the Trolley Museum.
Monument Square in Portland, Maine, was the hub for all the early horse-drawn and electric railway systems running into and out of Portland. This blog features the high-speed, luxury interurban, No. 14, Narcissus of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI) now being restored at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. With that in mind, from 1914 until 1933, the Narcissus, as a PLI interurban, operated in and out of Monument Square to pick up and discharge passengers. The Narcissus and nine other Maine vehicles used on electric railways have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. The only surviving trolley from the Portland Railroad, No. 615, is one of the ten. It requires a full restoration.
Updated March 26, 2026
When the last trolley car rolled through the streets of Portland, Maine, in May 1941, it marked the end of more than three-quarters of a century of local public transit by horse cars and electric railway vehicles. It was in 1863 that the Pine Tree State's first horsecar line began operations and formed the nucleus for what would eventually become Maine's second-largest electric railway system, the Portland Railroad Company.
The essential services provided by the line will be shared, with Forest Avenue's role being featured.
The Portland Railroad
This post focuses on the Horse Railroad years and the transition to electric. 1860-1896.
The History of the Portland Railroad is a long and complicated journey ranging from the time of the Civil War years until the early years of World War Two, 1860-1941. Over those years, the Portland Railroad owned more than 300 passenger railway vehicles (horsecar & electric), most being manufactured by the J. G. Brill Company of Philadelphia, PA, or one of its subsidiaries, Wason Manufacturing, Springfield, MA, and Stephenson & Son, Troy, NY. The Portland Railroad also had shop employees build many of their own cars, as well (horsecars and electrics).
In Maine in 1915, ninety communities had electric railway service, operating on about 520 miles of tracks. That year, more than fifty-seven million passengers were carried on those railways in Maine. The Portland Railroad system carried a little more than twenty-four million of those passengers (1916 would be a little more than 25 million). More than 4 million miles traveled in 1915. Grossing more than $1 million ($25 million in 2018) in revenues with a net of a little more than a quarter-million (more than $6 million in 2018). (PRR statistics from Public Utilities Reports). Clearly, the Portland Railroad in particular, and in general, the electric railways in Maine, were vital to the local economies for many years.
1860
March 19, 1860 - The Portland & Forest Avenue Railroad Company was chartered by an act of the Maine legislature. Authority to construct, maintain, and operate a Horse Railroad in the City of Portland, Maine, and the town of Westbrook was granted. The company was capitalized at $100,000 and was authorized to issue mortgage bonds in an equal amount. It would be three years later, on March 26, 1863, when the Portland City Council granted a 25-year franchise to the company and approved its proposed locations.
Portland Press Herald - February 4, 1860
The initial response from the City of Portland.
Portland Press Herland - February 13, 1860
Portland Press Herland - February 20, 1960
Portland Press Herald - March 10, 1860
Says "Accepted" at the end
Kennebec Journal - March 16, 1860
Below is a publication of the authorization of the act to incorporate the Portland and Forest Avenue Railroad Company on March 19, 1860, and the sections stating all the requirements.
Kennebec Journal - April 20, 1860
Portland Press Herald - October 1, 1860
Deering Oaks Park was designed in 1879, with various public-related accessories and attractions being added beginning in 1883. Development of what would become Back Cove Park/Trail began in 1895.
Portland Press Herald - October 6, 1860
1861
1862
Evergreen Cemetery access from Stephens Avenue would generate high numbers of the Horse Railroad passengers.
Portland Press Herald - January 30, 1862
At the end - "Evidently we must have the horse-railroad."
Lewiston Falls Journal - February 13, 1862
Portland Daily Press - October 28, 1862
1863
Portland Daily Press - January 6, 1863
Portland Daily Press - February 10, 1863
Portland and Forest Avenue Horse Railroad Company's Rules and Regulations - February 9, 1863
Portland Daily Press - February 12, 1863
Portland Daily Press - February 17, 1863
Portland Daily Press - February 18, 1963
Portland Daily Press - February 18, 1963
Portland Daily Press - February 20, 1963
Portland Daily Press - February 23, 1963
Portland Daily Press - March 3, 1963
Portland Press Herald - March 7, 1863
Portland Daily Press - March 10, 1863
Portland Daily Press - March 30, 1863
Portland Press Herald - March 31, 1863
Portland Daily Press - April 9, 1863
Real Estate using the closeness to the horse railroad access as a benefit for the potential purchaser
Portland Daily Press - April 29, 1863
Horse Railroad soliciting subscriptions from citizens
Sun Journal - May 22, 1863
Portland Daily Press - May 28, 1863
Portland Daily Press - June 4, 1863
Portland Press Herald - July 7, 1863
Portland Daily Press - July 15, 1863
Portland Daily Press - July 31, 1863
Portland Daily Press - August 4, 1863
Portland Daily Press - August 11, 1863
Portland Daily Press - August 19, 1863
Real Estate value increased for those near the Horse Railroad
Portland Daily Press - August 29, 1863
Portland Press Herald - August 31, 1863
"Sleepers" are wooden railroad ties
Portland Daily Press - September 1, 1863
Portland Daily Press - September 1, 1863
Sun Journal - September 7, 1863
Portland Daily Press - September 8, 1863
.jpg)
Portland Daily Press - September 8, 1863
Portland Daily Press - September 8, 1863
College promotes attendance by families that can have their child attend during the day by using the Horse Railroad, thereby reducing the costs by not needing to stay overnight.
Portland Daily Press - September 9, 1863
Omnibus will be replaced by the Horse Railroad
Portland Daily Press - September 11, 1863
Sun Journal - September 11, 1863
Portland Daily Press - September 12, 1863
Portland Press Herald - September 18, 1863
Portland Daily Press - September 22, 1863
Portland Press Herald - September 22, 1863
Portland Daily Press - September 24, 1863
Portland Press Herald - September 24, 1863
Portland Daily Press - September 28, 1863
Portland Daily Press - September 30, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 1, 1863
Sun Journal - October 3, 1863
.jpg)
Portland Daily Press - October 6, 1863
.jpg)
Portland Daily Press - October 6, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 6, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 7, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 9, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 12, 1863
Portland Press Herald - October 12, 1863
The original 1.37 miles of Portland and Forest Avenue Horse Railroad tracks
In red, the 1.37 miles of new horse railroad tracks in Portland,
starting at the Grand Trunk Railroad depot on India Street to
Thomas Street on October 12, 1863.
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
Portland Daily Press - October 13, 1863
Portland Press Herald - October 13, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 14, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 15, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 16, 1863
Sun Journal - October 21, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 22, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 23, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 26, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 29, 1863
Portland Daily Press - October 30, 1863
Portland Press Herald - November 9, 1863
Portland Press Herald - November 10, 1863
Portland Daily Press - November 18, 1863
Portland Daily Press - November 21, 1863
A Portland photographer uses his location near the Horse Railroad to direct customers to his location.
Portland Daily Press - November 23, 1863
Horse Railroad is close by
Portland Press Herald - November 30, 1863
Portland Daily Press - December 14, 1863
"Creepers"
Portland Press Herald - December 28, 1863
"Creepers"
Portland Press Herald - December 31, 1863
More on "Creepers"
Portland Daily Press - January 25, 1864
Portland Daily Press - December 31, 1863
1863 Stats
79,741 passengers in 1863 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1864 report
The total population of Portland in 1863 was maybe 27,000 to 28,000 residents (the 1860 U.S. Census recorded 26,342 people, and by 1870, the population had grown to 31,413).
Portland Daily Press - January 4, 1864
Portland Daily Press - January 5, 1864
1864
Portland Daily Press - January 6, 1864
Portland Daily Press - January 6, 1864
Portland Press Herald - January 26, 1864
Proposal for constructing a stable and car house at Morrill's Corner
Portland Daily Press - February 12, 1864
Accident
Portland Daily Press - February 16, 1864
Ice issues
Portland Daily Press - February 26, 1864
Death of a conductor
Portland Daily Press - March 11, 1864
Portland Press Herald - March 22, 1864
Track extended to Deering Bridge
In yellow, the horse railroad tracks begin working
towards Woodford's Corner. This segment opened
March 22, 1864.
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
Portland Horse Railroad was recognized as a significant positive influence in Portland's business.
Portland Press Herald - April 1, 1864
Portland Press Herald - April 2, 1864
Portland supported the Horse Railroad to reach out to engage with the suburb.
Sun Journal - April 5, 1864
32,588 passengers in March.
Sun Journal - April 6, 1864
Portland Press Herald - April 30, 1864
38,274 passengers in April.
Portland Daily Press - May 3, 1864
Delay laying tracks up Munjoy Hill.
Portland Daily Press - May 19, 1864
Anticipated Horse cars colliding with carriages hadn't happened.
Portland Daily Press - May 20, 1864
Rail extension on various streets was taking place.
Portland Daily Press - May 23, 1864
Portland Press Herald - May 26, 1864
Portland Daily Press - May 28, 1864
Many Horse cars were built by the Portland & Forest Horse Railroad employees.
Portland Daily Press - June 3, 1864
Line to Morrill's Corner opens
Portland Press Herald - June 6, 1864
In yellow, the horse railroad tracks end near Morrill's
Corner. on June 6, 1864. This portion of Westbrook would
become the town of Deering in 1871, and later, the city
of Deering was annexed to Portland early in 1899.
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
Morrill's House at Morrill's Corner. Forest Avenue (left) and Allen Avenue (right).
The house was built early in 1800 and was torn down in 1957.
Image from Nancy Downs Legere, circa 1910
Schedule for Morrill's Corner
Portland Press Herald - June 6, 1864
The opening of the line to Morrill's Corner generated a reflection on the creation of the company.
Portland Daily Press - June 6, 1864
.jpg)
Portland Daily Press - June 6, 1864 (end of clipping)
A very large number of passengers visited Evergreen Cemetery
Portland Daily Press - June 13, 1864
3,828 passengers during the first week that the line to Morrill's Corner was open.
Portland Daily Press - June 14, 1864
Portland Daily Press - June 16, 1864
.jpg)
Portland Daily Press - June 16, 1864 (end of clipping)
Challenges to extending the Horse Railroad
Portland Daily Press - June 27, 1864
Permission granted...or had it?
Portland Daily Press - June 28, 1864
The adventure continues...
Portland Daily Press - June 29, 1864
More than 5,100 passengers on the 4th of July
Portland Daily Press - July 6, 1864
Doings in the City (Portland) During the Fourth of July 1864
Portland Daily Press - July 6, 1864
Track work to Munjoy Hill restarted
Portland Daily Press - July 12, 1864
Congress Street track to connect to Preble Street track
Portland Daily Press - July 16, 1864
From Middle Street, looking at the corner of Congress and Preble Street.
The Preble House opened in 1860.
Postcard of the Preble House, circa 1865 PMorse
Another sale of property near the tracks in the suburb
Portland Daily Press - July 25, 1864
Munjoy Hill was almost done
Portland Daily Press - August 1, 1864
Request for another extension
Portland Daily Press - August 2, 1864
.jpg)
In green, Congress Street up Munjoy Hill to
Atlantic Street on August 4, 1864.
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
Portland Daily Press - August 6, 1864
Portland Daily Press - August 12, 1864
69,772 passengers in July 1864
Portland Press Herald - August 16, 1864
Public access to numerous Portland area businesses and recreational locations is at a different level
Portland Press Herald - August 17, 1864
Stockholders meeting
Portland Daily Press - August 22, 1864
Woodford's Corner community appreciation
Portland Press Herald - August 23, 1864
City and Railroad compromise mentioned
Portland Daily Press - August 24, 1864
54,802 passengers in August 1864
Portland Daily Press - August 3, 1864
More than 1,000 passengers on the Congress Street line on one day, Wednesday, September 7, 1864
Portland Daily Press - September 9, 1864
In pink - tracks on Congress Street, from High Street to
Bramhall Square on September 5, 1864
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
Early Portland horsecar on Congress Square turns towards
Bramhall Square circa 1864.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_064
This post will continue with some details through 1864. Then there will be highlights of some individual years through to the transition, eliminating all horse-drawn cars became replaced by electric cars later in 1895. The PRR Annual Reports were published later in January, and the newspaper clippings of the reports are listed at the beginning of each year in this post. Each with more details as the years of the company continued.
As an fyi...for many years, there were no major extensions of the tracks after 1864 until 1869.
Another track extension (a very short one) did not take place on September 6, 1869.
The next track extension (a very short one) after that was done on June 15, 1876.
An extension into Ocean Street (Avenue now) was done on August 16, 1880.
Extensions continued in 1882, 1885, 1887, 1888, 1890, and, even though the first line became electrified in 1891, horse car tracks were extended in 1891, 1894, and during the final year of the Horse Railroad in 1895.
1864 continued...
Slight accident
Portland Daily Press - September 16, 1864
Comparing the Horse Car passenger count with the Omnibus
Sun Journal - September 17, 1864
The price for package tickets increased
Portland Daily Press - September 22, 1864
Real estate sales near RR
Portland Daily Press - September 26, 1864
Verifying prices and passenger count
Portland Daily Press - October 6, 1864
New depot
Portland Press Herald - November 29, 1864
Lancaster Hall
Lancaster Hall was built in 1852. It was demolished in 1881.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_099
9,000 fewer passengers in November than in October
Portland Press Herald - December 2, 1864
Portland Press Herald - December 13, 1864
Portland Daily Press - December 15, 1864
The Horse Railroad employees' Christmas party
Portland Press Herald - Decmber 26, 1864
The announcement of the January 2, 1865, stockholders' annual meeting at the Lancaster Hall depot
Portland Daily Press - December 28, 1864
1864 Stats
646,395 passengers in 1864 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1865 report
Portland Daily - January 3, 1865
1865
Preface for the stockholders' meeting in January
Portland Daily Press - January 2, 1865
In 1865, an amendment to the charter was enacted by the state legislature, and, among other things, it shortened the name of the corporation to the Portland Railroad Company (PRR). The PRR was authorized to extend its lines into the neighboring town of Cape Elizabeth (part of which is now South Portland), but with a two-year time frame placed on the extensions. An increase in the company's capital stock from $100K to $300K was authorized to operate steam dummy engines on its routes, as long as there was consent from the municipalities. The line extensions into CE and the purchase of any dummy engines never took place as far as is known.
The 1865 PRR horsecar system included three lines: 6.75 miles of track
* Spring Street - Grand Trunk Railroad - Red
* Bramhall Square - Congress Street - Munjoy Hill - Pink & Green
* Monument Square - Morrill's Corner - Yellow
1865 Stats
915,532 passengers in 1865 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1866 report
Portland Daily Press - January 3, 1866
1866
1866 Stats
1,008,494 passengers in 1866 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1867 report
Portland Daily Press - January 3, 1867
1867
From Middle Street on the lower left to Congress Street. The Preble
House on the right, on the corner of Preble Street, circa late 1860s.
Image from Portland Maine History 1786 to present.
1867 Stats
909,602 passengers in 1867 - breakdown and summary of the year is NOT below in the January 1868 report. Scroll down to the 1868 Stats listed in the January 1869 annual meeting report, where the 1867 stats are mentioned.
Portland Daily Press - January 21, 1868
1868
In the 1868 Annual Report below, horses are mentioned. Most Annual Reports that follow also tend to mention horse issues. Issues with horses in other horsecar communities - the average horse pulled cars twelve miles per day for a few hours each day. They needed housing, feeding, grooming, and medical assistance, day in and day out. Each horse produces a lot of manure, on average, 15 to 30 pounds per day. The company was responsible for cleaning up and for storage. The average streetcar horse had a life expectancy of two years. Horses were expensive for the company to maintain.
1868 Stats
877,081 passengers in 1868 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1869 report
Portland Daily Press - January 19, 1869
1869
.jpg)
The connection between Pearl Street (in red)
to Congress Street (in green) opened September 6, 1869
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
1869 Stats
840,261 passengers in 1869 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1870 report
Portland Daily Press - January 18, 1870
1870 - Portland Census Population 31,413
1870 Stats
827,990 passengers in 1870 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1871 report
Portland Daily Press - January 17, 1871
Sun Journal - January 17, 1871
1871
1871 Stats
831,989 passengers in 1871 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1872 report
Portland Daily Press - January 16, 1872
1872
.png)
Portland City Hall is in the background on Congress Street.
The Annual Meeting of the PRR took place in the Reception Hall in City Hall.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_101 circa 1880
1872 Stats
862,323 passengers in 1872 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1873 report
Portland Daily Press - January 21, 1873
1873
1873 Stats
827,478 passengers in 1873 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1874 report
Portland Daily Press - January 20, 1874
1874
Old City Hall at Market Square on the right. Congress Street
to the left. The horse car heading down Middle Street, circa 1874
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_103
1874 Stats
900,229 passengers in 1874 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1875 report
Portland Press Herald - January 11, 1875
1875
.png)
Horsecar coming out of Preble Street to Congress Street.
The PRR waiting room was on the corner (right) circa 1875
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_097
1875 Stats
887,525 passengers in 1875 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1876 report
Portland Press Herald - January 18, 1876
1876
1876 Stats
870,410 passengers in 1876 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1877 report
Portland Daily Press - January 16, 1877
1877
Spring Street carhouse and stable, circa 1877
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_33_045
1877 Stats
876,681 passengers in 1877 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1878 report
Portland Daily Press - January 22, 1878
1878
1878 Stats
855,998 passengers in 1878 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1879 report
Portland Daily Press - January 21, 1879
1879
1879 Stats
797,913 passengers in 1879 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1880 report
Portland Daily Press - January 20, 1880
1880 - Portland Census Population 33,810
.png)
Horsecar traveling on Congress Street towards Munjoy Hill
circa 1880
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_038
.jpg)
In blue, an extension from Forest Avenue along
Ocean Street (now Avenue) to Smith's Corner
near Read Street opened August 16, 1880
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
1880 Stats
855,072 passengers in 1880 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1881 report
Portland Press Herald - January 18, 1881
1881
1881 Stats
912,336 passengers in 1881 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1882 report
Portland Daily Press - January 17, 1882
1882
.jpg)
In red, Pearl and Commercial Streets form Grand Trunk
Loop on August 7, 1882
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
.jpg)
In yellow, the track on Stevens Avenue was extended past the
entrance to Pleasant Street to Presumpscot Trotting Park
on September 18, 1882. Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
1882 Stats
1,016,896 passengers in 1882 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1883 report
Portland Daily Press - January 16, 1883
1883
1883 Stats
1,173,641 passengers in 1883 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1884 report
Portland Press Herald - January 22, 1884
1884
1884 Stats
1,252,740 passengers in 1884 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1885 report
Portland Press Herald - January 20, 1885
1885
Another line was built in 1882 from Morrill's Corner along Ocean Street (now Ocean Avenue) to Lunt's Corner on Washington Avenue. This line was built by the Ocean Street Railroad. It was not profitable, and the PRR took it over in May 1885 - see map below
Lucky horse car No. 13 on the Ocean Street line, circa 1882
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_035
.jpg)
Ocean Street (Avenue) extension in blue in May 1885.
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
.jpg)
In pink, the Congress Street extension to St. John Street on
October 12, 1885. Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
1885 Stats
1,407,736 passengers in 1885 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1886 report
Portland Daily Press - January 19, 1886
1886
In 1886, the Maine Central Railroad built Union Station along the corner of Congress and St. John Streets. Portland Railroad extended tracks from Longfellow Square to Railroad Square (Union Station) and along St. John Street.
Horsecar at Union Station - still under construction circa 1887
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_004
1886 Stats
1,605,235 passengers in 1886 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1887 report
Portland Daily Press - January 18, 1887
1887
.jpg)
In red, the track extension including Thompson-Neal,
Carroll, Vaughn, to Congress Street at Bramhall Square,
on July 2, 1887. Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
A new carhouse was built at St. John Street in 1887
Portland Railroad St. John Street stable c 1888
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_30_035
In 1888, a 3-track wooden carhouse was built at
the southwest corner of Congress and St. John Streets,
just off Railroad Square.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_30_005
As seen from inside the archway of the main entrance to Union Station,
from left to right, are the stables, the carhouse, and the brick MCRR
building for use by employees.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_30_034
Arches of the main entrance to Union Station.
The details match up with the photo above :)
Photo courtesy of Maine Central RR archives.
1887 Stats
1,758,145 passengers in 1887 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1888 report
Portland Daily Press - January 17, 1888
1888
Horsecar No. 54 at the train shed of Union Station, circa 1888.
A section is now used at Thompson's Point for ice skating & concerts.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_003
.jpg)
Horsecar No. 46 at Longfellow Square. The Longfellow Square Monument
was dedicated in 1888. In 1921, Longfellow
Square became the starting location in the Eastern USA of
the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway. 4,060
miles to Portland, Oregon. Theodore Roosevelt passed
the Longfellow Monument on five separate occasions when
visiting Portland, Maine, in 1902, 1912, 1914, 1916, and 1918.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_038
Click Here for the post on the Theodore Roosevelt Maine International Highway and links to the Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail series, including TR's visits to Portland, Maine.
.jpg)
In pink, the extension of the Congress Street rack to
Bradley's Corner, on September 15, 1888.
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
The Old City Hall at Market Square was replaced in 1888 with the Soldiers' and
Sailors' Victory Monument at what would become known as Monument Square.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32104
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_095
1888 Stats
2,037,524 passengers in 1888 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1889 report
Portland Daily Press - January 22, 1889
1889
West End Hotel in the background at Union Square.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_030
1889 Stats
2,423,664 passengers in 1889 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1890 report
Portland Daily Press - January 21, 1890
1890 - Portland Census Population 36,425
Monument Square, the hub of the Portland Railroad Horse lines, and soon
to be converted to electric street railway lines.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_094
On St. John Street at Union Station Square, and will travel
to Munjoy Hill and Fort Allen Park on the Eastern
Promenade. circa 1890
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_32_006
.jpg)
In green, the Congress Street extension on Munjoy Hill
to Fort Allen Park - July 30, 1890
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
At Fort Allen at the Eastern Promenade, circa 1890.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_35_021
1890 Stats
2,782,786 passengers in 1890 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1891 report
Portland Daily Press - January 22, 1891
1891
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In pink, the Congress Street extension from Bradley's
Corner to Stroudwater, on August 5, 1891.
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
Stroudwater circa 1891 (the building on the far left has
been repurposed and is now Stroudwater Village Church
and Community Center.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_043
1891 PRR Horsecar System included five lines: 15.7 miles of track
* Union Station - Fort Allen Park - Green
* Spring Street - Grand Trunk Railroad - Red
* Monument Square - Morrill's Corner - Yellow
* Woodfords' Corner - Lunt's Corner - Blue
* Monument Square - Stroudwater - Pink
Electrification
A section of the Deering line was the first to be electrified in 1891. PRR chose to take a few years to electrify the whole system. It was completed late in 1895.
Rolling stock for the Deering line included six electrified closed horsecars, two 10-bench open cars, and two twenty-five-foot closed cars (one equipped with 6-wheel Robinson Radial Trucks). All were converted to operating electrically or originally built at the Portland Railroad Shop. Open horsecars were used as trailers in the summer months.
No. 70 was one of the two original electric open cars for the Deering
line. In 1891, the Portland Railroad built this car in the PRR shop.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_041
The 1891 Annual Report in the January 1892 newspaper clipping below mentions the electrification of the Deering line and the construction of the new carhouse/stable on Munjoy Hill.
Large Beckett Street carhouse built on Munjoy Hill, 1890.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_30_002
Beckett Street Carhouse
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_30_004
1891 Stats
2,975,225 passengers in 1891 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1892 report
Evening Express - January 18, 1892
1892
Stroudwater circa 1892
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_044
Spring Street carhouse and stable, circa 1892
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_33_044
1891 also brought challenges from a new opponent to the PRR for supplying electric trolley service to Westbrook, the Portland & Westbrook Street Railway. Ultimately, the PRR won out, and plans were made to construct the 4.6-mile route. Six new trolley cars - four, 12-bench, double-truck open cars, and two 25-foot double-truck closed cars were built for the new extension. Regular service between Portland and Westbrook commenced on June 30, 1892, every fifteen minutes, and cost a 15-cent fare.
Open electric car No. 77 with a former horse car as a trailer, circa 1892.
In preparation for the Westbrook electrification, four double-truck open
trolley cars were built in 1892 in PRR's own Bennett Street
carhouse shop on Munjoy Hill for use in Westbrook.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_055
For three years, before the electrification of Munjoy Hill
area, horses were used to tow electric trolley cars each day
for use on the Westbrook line from the Beckett Street
car house to Monument Square. O. R. Cummings' publication,
"Portland Railroad" Part 1, 1957.
1892 - End of June, the PRR utilized a total of 20.54 miles of single-track. Rolling stock included sixty-four passenger cars and four gravel cars. Of the passenger cars, sixteen were electric. PRR still owned 225 horses. Further electrification of the PRR lines would not take place until 1895 and would not be completed until 1896.
1892 Stats
3,449,853 passengers in 1892 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1893 report
1893
1893 Stats
3,659,126 passengers in 1893 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1894 report
Portland Daily Press - January 16, 1894
1894
.jpg)
August 4, 1894, Horse Railroad extended (in blue), Lunt's
Corner to East Deering at Veranda Street.
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
1894 Stats
3,781,914 passengers in 1894 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1895 report
.jpg)
Evening Express - January 21, 1895
1895
Fire destroyed the carhouse on St. John Street - July 9, 1901 - Five trolleys burned in the blaze.
Three of the trolley cars burned in this fire,
107, 108, and 112 were purchased in 1895 from
the J. G. Brill Company. 107 and 108 were in an order
that included Nos. 100-108. More info on the other
trolleys in that order later in this post:)
Portland Evening Express - July 10, 1901
Debris from the fire was being cleaned up - busy
time of the year at Union Station.
Portland Evening Express - July 12, 1901
Early postcard of Union Station before the 40-foot addition
extended from the clock tower - c 1901
One-third of the canopy that is seen over the tracks,
behind the station, was saved and in recent years has been a
fixture for concerts and for the ice rink at Thompson Point.
The Portland Railroad soon acquired a large plot of land on lower St. John Street, running through Valley Street, and constructed a modern 14-track brick and steel carhouse on the site in 1901/02.
Click Here to see the post on the St John Street Carhouse and Shop 1888-1941
.jpg)
August 29, 1895, Horse Railroad extended (in green),
Congress through Morning Street to Fort Allen Park.
Map from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946."
As the end of the Horse Railroad was approaching, Moses G. Palmer was interviewed. He was involved with the Horse Railroad for all 33 years. Interesting reflection
Portland Sunday Telegram - October 12, 1895
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Portland Sunday Telegram - October 12, 1895 (Last Clipping)
December 17, 1895, was the last day for Horse cars carrying passengers for the Portland Railroad.
1895 Stats
No Passenger Numbers for 1895 Located Yet...TBD
Portland Daily Press - May 4, 1895
.jpg)
PRR New Power House on Forest Avenue
Portland Daily Press - June 11, 1895
Portland Daily Press - October 21, 1895
PRR Power Station on Forest Avenue in 1917
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_072
Tracks of the Portland and Rochester Railroad passing over Forest Avenue
and the PRR tracks. PRR Power Station on Forest Avenue, 1910
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_30_071
Map of the location of the PRR Power Station
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_074
Sanborn Insurance Map - 1909
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection
Interior of the PRR Power Station on Forest Avenue
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_073
The last horse car operated on the Portland line in December 1895
1896
Entrance for trolley cars to Riverton Park at the intersection
of Riverside Street and Forest Avenue. On the left is the bridge over
the Presumpscot River. Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_074
The program for the Riverton Park Theatre. The original
restaurant and casino 1896. The building was
enlarged in 1898. Image courtesy of
Portland Maine History 1786 to Present.
On Monday, June 27, 1896, the Portland Railroad Company opened Riverton Park, located on thirty acres at the intersection of Riverside Street and Forest Avenue in Portland, along the banks of the Presumpscot River; the site was formerly the location of the J. Winslow Jones Canning Factory. A reported 10,000 pleasure-seekers arrived on opening day at the ornate wooden carriage entrance on the Portland Railroad Company streetcars. Regular cars departed from Preble Street every 15 minutes starting at 8:30 a.m. to carry passengers to Riverton. One or more "wild" cars were required as extras to handle the rush to the park's theater. Bridal shower parties, card parties, and other private groups could hire a new, posh parlor car, "The Bramhall," for five dollars round trip. The motorman and conductor wore spiffy bowler hats and white kid gloves for these special trips.
The double-truck parlor car trolley, "Bramhall", was built in 1896 by the J. G. Brill Company, Philadelphia, PA, and is said to have been given free to the Portland Railroad in appreciation for past and anticipated future business. It was primarily for use by PRR officials, but it was available for charter by special parties - at an extra rate, of course. It was a handsome one, painted in shiny black with gold leaf trim and lettering, and had ornamental iron grillwork on the ends. The interior was fitted with 20 wicker chairs with plush seats, tasseled curtains at the windows, and two cupboards (for spirits) at each end. In 1916, it was rebuilt as an experimental pre-payment car and became No. 500. Sadly, it was scrapped in the 1920s. Of the more than 300 railway vehicles that operated on the Portland Railroad throughout the life of the system, 1860-1941, only one original trolley from the line that exists today, No. 615, was built in 1920. No. 615 is at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport and awaits its turn to be restored.
The parlor car, Bramhall, was built in 1896 for the Portland
Railroad Company by the J. G. Brill Company.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_38_033
The interior of the parlor car, Bramhall.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_49_003
The parlor car, Bramhall, at Fort Allen, shortly after arriving
in Portland in 1896.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_38_034
The center attraction of the park was the Riverton Casino. The casino, with its broad piazzas, provided a lovely view of the Presumpscot River. A travel brochure describes "its surface dotted with canoes and other pleasure boats, all containing merry sailing parties." The travel brochure continues with a description of the attractively furnished dining hall: it was staffed by "an efficient corps of attendants serving tempting viands in answer to the promptings and desires of the inner man. The fizz of the soda fountain is also heard, while for the sweet tooth, there is an excellent assortment of the finest creations in the confectionery line." The dance hall - "the scene of merry private parties" - was also very popular with its finely polished floor and live orchestra.
Park grounds also boasted a bandstand, a deer run and small zoo, a boathouse and steam launch, a steam riding gallery or carousel, a croquet field, lawn swings, a trout pond, and ample grounds and shelters for picnickers. The outdoor "Rustic Theatre", another attraction at the park, could seat 2,500 people. Theatrical attractions included high-wire and trapeze acts, Alabama troubadours, comedy acts, and buck and wing dancing. La Petite Blanche, the Dainty Soubrette, graced the stage, as did the Zanfarellas, "grotesque, comic, and daring dancers." And not to be outdone by the other trolley parks, Riverton had its own "Slide for Life," a thrilling acrobatic descent from a high tower. Visitors might see a hot-air balloon ascension and parachute adventure by Monsieur Roberto, Meteor of the Sky! In winter, even though the rest of the park was closed, the casino was available for club meetings, banquets, private socials, and the like.
Deer Farm at Riverton Park - PWM postcard
Click Here: for the post on Riverton Trolley Park 1896-1933 (Portland)
Click Here: for the post on Casco Castle Trolley Park 1902-1914 (South Freeport)
Click Here: for the post on Merrymeeting Trolley Park 1899-1906 (Brunswick)
Click Here: for the post on Island Park Pleasure Resort and Trolleys 1902-1928 (Winthrop)
Click Here: for the post on Underwood Spring Trolley Park 1899-1907 (Falmouth)
Click Here: for the post on Oakland Park 1902-1931 (Rockport)
Click Here for the post: 57 Million Passengers Carried on Electric Railways in Maine in 1915
1896 Stats
4,575,133 passengers in 1896 - breakdown and summary of the year is below - January 1897 report
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Evening Express - January 23, 1897
1900 - Portland Census Population 50,145
Click Here: for the post on the Portland Railroad that focuses on more Electrics from 1891- on
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Click Here: to see Donation Options to Help Civil Rights Bus 6481
Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View
Click Here: For the post with the numerous Novelty Notes Connecting Theodore Roosevelt, Maine, and the "Elegant Ride," Narcissus
We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts
Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivates, fascinates, then generates interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!
Click Here: Donation Options for Helping the Narcissus
The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalitions of narratives.
Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban
Click Here: Series of posts featuring the Founding of the Trolley Museum in 1939
Click Here: for the post on Brochures of the STM 1955-2025
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project
Click Here: for 3rd Grade Lesson Plans - Example for Viewing the Vocabulary Activities for Grades 3-8
Independent book publisher Phil Morse,
holding the Gold Book Award Winner plaque
for the Middle Reader category for the Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author, Jean M. Flahive 😊
