Electric trolleys first appeared in San Diego in 1887
On Nov. 19, 1887, San Diego’s Electric Rapid Transit Company introduced just the second electric streetcar service on the West Coast. (Los Angeles claims to have the first.)
A few days later, the Union marveled over the smoothness of the “electric road.” But the company operated only briefly. In 1892, John D. Spreckels launched the more successful San Diego Electric Railway Company, which operated until 1949.
From The San Diego Union, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 1887:
THE ELECTRIC ROAD.
A SPECIAL PARTY TAKE A TRIP ON THE LINE. CAPITALIST JOIN THE ENTREPRISE. SMOOTH-WORKING MACHINERY WITHOUT NOISE, SMOKE OR CINDERS — LIST OF THE EXCURSIONISTS.
The public have been duly appraised of the opening of the San Diego and Old Town Electric Motor, and the columns of THE UNION have contained a detailed description of the electrical appliances and their modus operandi. A few days were necessarily required to reduce its operations to the degree of nicety of which they are susceptible, and it may be that the limit toward perfection in this respect has not yet been attained.
Yesterday afternoon a company of gentlemen were invited to take a ride over the road to test its qualities ....
SMOOTH WORKING MACHINERY.
The train left the foot of D street, at 3 o’clock, and consisted of two well-filled cars, Professor J.C. Henry, the inventor of the system, accompanied the party, as did also Dr. David Gochenauer, who introduced it in San Diego to the gentlemen whose associated capital and energy have given the city a first-class rapid transit railway propelled by that mysterious but powerful agent whose subtle performances are the marvel of the time. With the throw of a lever similar to that used on the cable system of street railroads, the train started without jerk or jar and proceeded rapidly up the grades and around the curves till the brickyards, where the motor machinery is located, were reached.
Here the train halted for a few minutes to permit the company to inspect the machinery, which was don with much interest. After this parley the cars proceeded to Old Town where a halt of half an hour was made, which gave Father Horton an opportunity to point out the exact spot upon which he stood on the 10th of May, 1867, when he bought San Diego at auction for 26 cents per acre. During this stop Professor Henry in his modest, almost bashful way, answered numerous questions relating to electric and other motors, giving those who were as fortunate as to be within hearing some interesting and valuable information. At the end of a half hour all were called aboard and the train returned to the city.
DIRECTORS MEETING.
The San Diego Electric Rapid Transit railway is a success. This was the unanimous verdict of all who enjoyed the trial trip of yesterday. Its operation is free from the jerks and jars that characterize the cable system and from the smoke and other annoyances of the steam motor roads. the rapidity of motion is entirely under control. It surmounts almost incredible grade. It starts, stops and moves promptly and smoothly. The passenger as he rides marvels at the mysterious power that propels him; marvels at its transmission in such strength through the medium of the overhead wire; marvels as he beholds the brilliant sparks that occasionally flash from the revolving wheels, sensible manifestations in another form of the subtle force the inventive genius of man is subjugating to his service.