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Delaware Interurbans and Streetcars: History, Lines, Photos

Published: April 30, 2025

By: Adam Burns

The story of interurbans and streetcar railroads in Delaware, while not as extensively documented as in some other regions, paints a fascinating picture of early 20th-century transportation. Delaware’s geography and its position along key routes connecting larger cities made it a notable candidate for both interurban and streetcar development, centralizing upon Wilmington, the state's largest city.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Delaware, like many states, witnessed the proliferation of streetcar systems, which became integral to daily urban life. The Wilmington City Railway Company, established in the late 1860s, was among the earliest to operate in the state, initially using horse-drawn cars. By the 1880s, as technology evolved, these systems began converting to electric streetcars, setting the stage for more efficient transportation.

The electric streetcar revolutionized urban transit by fostering greater urban expansion and mobility. Wilmington, as the industrial and economic hub of Delaware, saw the most extensive development. Several companies operated streetcar lines here, including the Wilmington & Elsmere Electric Railway Company and Peoples Railway Company, later consolidated under the Wilmington and Philadelphia Traction Company. These lines spurred suburban growth as they extended outward, encouraging residential development in outlying areas.

Beyond local streetcar services, Delaware briefly flirted with interurban railroads—essentially railways providing commuter services between towns or from cities to the countryside, using streetcar technology but running on dedicated tracks. While Delaware did not experience the vast interurban networks seen in states like Ohio and Indiana, it maintained several lines connecting key towns and cities, facilitating broader regional transport.

By the early 1900s, Delaware had connected some localities with its neighboring states. The Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington Railroad, for instance, offered services in and out of Wilmington, providing complementary services for longer distances. Although primarily steam-operated, these routes highlighted the intersection of different rail technologies and services during this era.

Nevertheless, the streetcar and interurban systems in Delaware, akin to those across the country, began to decline by the mid-20th century. The advent of the automobile and the construction of extensive road networks posed significant competition. Cars offered personal convenience, flexibility, and freedom that fixed-route streetcars could not match. Additionally, post-World War II economic shifts and rising operational costs made maintaining streetcar systems increasingly unsustainable.

The Wilmington City Railway is seen here in a postcard photo from the early 20th century.

Streetcar/Interurban Systems

Wilmington & Elsmere Electric Railway Company: The Wilmington & Elsmere Electric Railway Company was completed in 1895 connecting Wilmington to Brandywine Springs Park. It lasted only until 1900 when it was taken over by the Peoples Railway Company.

Wilmington City Railway: The Wilmington City Railway was the city's first dating back to June 28, 1864. It remained a horse-powered operation until it switched to electric streetcars in 1888.

The interurban would become the city's largest taking over several smaller companies. It lost its original identity when it merged with the Delaware Electric Power Company in 1936. Soon after in 1940 rail service ended switching to buses.

Wilmington & Philadelphia Traction Company: The W&PTC operated a system serving Wilmington, Chester, and even reaching Philadelphia by 1899. Overall it was the state's largest streetcar operation.

It also controlled small streetcar systems serving Stanton, Delaware City, and New Castle. It remain in operation until around the mid-1930s when services were finally replaced by buses.

Jackson & Sharp Company: The Jackson & Sharp Company wasn't actually an interurban railroad but it did build streetcars in Wilmington, Delaware from 1863 until 1901 when it was purchased by railcar giant American Car and Foundry.

Decline

By the mid-1950s, Delaware, like much of America, saw its streetcar lines dismantled, giving way to buses and personal vehicles. Wilmington's last streetcar line was eliminated in 1940, marking the end of an era. These changes reflected a broader national trend influenced by evolving transportation needs and urban development patterns.

While the heyday of interurbans and streetcars in Delaware was relatively brief, their imprint on urban development and public transportation is unmistakable. Today, interest in sustainable and efficient public transportation has seen a resurgence in the form of light rail and modern streetcars, drawing inspiration from these pioneering systems of the past. This renewed focus highlights the enduring legacy of Delaware's early efforts at electrified urban transport and their impact on shaping the state's transit landscape.