Commuting 1930s Style

The story of trolley service in the Harrisburg, Pa. area mirrors the industry’s history elsewhere. From its start-up in 1888 until automobile usage gradually grew, the company known in its final years as the Harrisburg Railways Company had considerable success. But by the mid-1930s, the proliferation of buses and autos made Harrisburg Railways’ trolley business unprofitable, and on April 9, 1939, the last trolley run was made. Here's Steelton-bound No. 808 in Harrisburg at 2nd and Market Streets, on August 13, 1938. View full size.