Title
Dummy Line on University Boulevard, Circa 1913
Subject
Railroads
Description
Modes of transportation merge in this photo with the Dummy Line train proceeding east on Broad Street (now University Boulevard), a horse and wagon on the right and what appears to be construction in preparation for paving at the corner of Market Street (now Greensboro Avenue) and Broad Street. The streets were paved in 1913, which would make that the date of this photograph.
Streetcar service began in 1883 with the arrival of the town’s first horsecar trolley. Operated by the Tuskaloosa Street Railway, streetcars were pulled on rail by mules and mustangs.
The steam dummy train began operation in 1888 by the Tuskaloosa Belt Railway. There’s an overlap of about 8 years in which the dummy and the horsecar trolley were both in use. The horsecar trolley was no longer needed in the late 1890s when the dummy line was extended to Riverview.
"The Dummy" operated until 1915 when the street rail was electrified. In 1923, the Tuscaloosa Railway and Utilities Company sold the electric trolley line to Alabama Power Company for $1.1 million. In 1941, most electric streetcars were pulled offline during the transition to a bus system operated by the power company. All passenger service ceased in 1942.
The store with awnings on the north side of what is now University Boulevard is the Atlanta Store. The Atlanta Store burned in 1914, leaving an empty corner until 1925 when the Merchant's Bank built the 10-story bank building on the site that stands today as a landmark in Tuscaloosa.
Streetcar service began in 1883 with the arrival of the town’s first horsecar trolley. Operated by the Tuskaloosa Street Railway, streetcars were pulled on rail by mules and mustangs.
The steam dummy train began operation in 1888 by the Tuskaloosa Belt Railway. There’s an overlap of about 8 years in which the dummy and the horsecar trolley were both in use. The horsecar trolley was no longer needed in the late 1890s when the dummy line was extended to Riverview.
"The Dummy" operated until 1915 when the street rail was electrified. In 1923, the Tuscaloosa Railway and Utilities Company sold the electric trolley line to Alabama Power Company for $1.1 million. In 1941, most electric streetcars were pulled offline during the transition to a bus system operated by the power company. All passenger service ceased in 1942.
The store with awnings on the north side of what is now University Boulevard is the Atlanta Store. The Atlanta Store burned in 1914, leaving an empty corner until 1925 when the Merchant's Bank built the 10-story bank building on the site that stands today as a landmark in Tuscaloosa.
Source
Personal Collection of Victor Morris Friedman
Date
Circa 1913
Contributor
Betty Slowe (Description)
Jason Townsend (Description)
Type
Photograph
Identifier
1009
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Photograph
Physical Dimensions
3 inches x 4 inches