Longview in Gregg County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
When Mule Power Moved People
In 1883, seven prominent Longview residents chartered the Longview & Junction Railway Company. For nearly thirty years, it operated a mule-drawn trolley that ran between the Junction Depot located at the intersection of Methvin and Sixth Streets and the Texas & Pacific (T&P) Depot located on Fredonia Street just south of Tyler Street. Two types of cars were used. The more popular type for warmer seasons had open sides allowing for a comfortable breeze, while the winter replacement had closed sides and windows.
On arriving at one depot, the driver would unhitch the mule team, lead it to the other end of the trolley, and rehitch the team for the mile-long return trip. One of the trolley's most faithful passengers was a dog who, year-after-year, rode one-way from the Junction, hopped off at the T&P Depot, then raced back to the Junction to await the mules' return and the next ride downtown.
The mule-drawn trolley served Longview until September 1912, when it was replaced by an electric streetcar system.
Erected 1996 by the Board of Directors of One Hundred Acres of Heritage, Inc.
Location. 32° 29.629′ N, 94° 44.359′ W. Marker is in Longview, Texas, in Gregg County. Marker is at the intersection Click for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 South Fredonia Street, Longview TX 75601, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Then Came the Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Longview Municipal Building and Central Fire Station (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); King Cotton (about 300 feet away); Timber – The First Industry (about 400 feet away); Dalton Gang's Last Raid (about 500 feet away); Kelly Plow Company (about 500 feet away); From Subsistence to Cash Crops (about 500 feet away); Banking — The Final Ingredient (about 600 feet away). Click for a list of all markers in Longview.
Also see . . . Stephen Austin State University article on the trolley system. (Submitted on September 28, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Categories. • Animals • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles •
Credits. This page originally submitted on , by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on , by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016.