Arkansas Interurbans and Streetcar Railroads

(Please note that the photos listed below are of random streetcar systems, not those found in Arkansas.)

For Arkansas interurbans and streetcars the latter was far more prevalent than the former. Still, the state was home to a few interurban systems, which is rather surprising when one considers that the Deep South as nearly devoid of true such systems. Of course, this can partly be explained by the fact that Arkansas was located farther west in the region and was closer to two regions that saw partial to significant interurban growth, the Midwest and Southwest. For instance, nearby states like Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri were all home to a number of interurban systems. In any event, as with nearly every state Arkansas was home to a number of streetcar systems, which dated back to their earliest beginnings of the latter 19th century (it should be noted that almost all electric streetcar railways were born from classic horse and buggy systems). All of the state's interurbans and streetcars, very small in comparison to some lines in other states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California were abandoned and out of service by the mid-1930s.

Fort Smith Traction Light & Power Company: The Fort Smith Traction Light & Power Company was formed in 1903 by the merger of the Fort Smith Railway Company (incorporated in 1883) and the Fort Smith & Van Buren Electric Street Railway Light & Power Company (incorporated in 1893). After the railroad came under the control of Oklahoma Gas & Electric in 1933 it was abandoned in November of that same year.

Arkansas Power & Light Company: The Arkansas Power & Light Company began operations on November 4, 1886 as the Citizens Street Railway Company, originally using mules and horses for power. It gained electric operation in 1902 now known as the Citizens Light & Transit Company operating about 8 miles of trackage. It reached its peak length of 11 miles in 1918 and again changed its name to the Pine Bluff Company. By 1930 the Arkansas Power & Light Company (created in 1914) took over operations and replaced the operation with buses.

Southwestern Gas & Electric Company: The Southwestern Gas & Electric Company was a small interurban operation in Texarkana that operated until 1935 having been acquired by the Middle West Utilities Company in 1925.

Walnut Ridge & Hoxie Traction Company: The earliest history of the Walnut Ridge & Hoxie Traction Company (also known as the Walnut Ridge & Hoxie, Light, Power and Transit Company) was opened in 1899 connecting the towns of Hoxie and Walnut Ridge, a distance of about 1 1/2 miles. The WR&HLP&T was created in 1903, gained electric operation in 1906 and changed its name to the Central Power and Light Company in 1918. It abandoned all operations in 1928.

For a small gallery of photographs highlighting Arkansas interurbans and streetcar railroads please click here.

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