Last Appleton Trolley Ride

[kraigkasten]

awesome video, really shows how much the "flats" and college ave have changed!



[LynneWhitehorn]

This is fascinating! Thank you very much. Is there a higher-resolution version? If not, what would it take to make that happen?

Thank you again!

[oldhodag]

@LynneWhitehorn You can find a much better copy at the Appleton Public Library on VHS tape.

[johann53217]

April 6, 1930 is "burned-in" the original film at 00:18 on your video. The Appleton Post Crescent (APC) of 4-07-1930 states that "Busses go on streets as electric cars are taken off" on pg 4 of sect. A. I, grandson of John Stark, knew him when alive, and now know him by sight. On pg 16 of Family History Project in APC for 5-28-1998, Ethel Kloes Dorn, daughter of Herman G Kloes, Sr., identifies the men, but "George" McGillan is actually conductor Robert F McGillan. Verify at Appleton Library.

[johann53217]

In the interest of historical accuracy, please note that the event occurred on April 6, 1930, not April 16 as shown in the opening scene. Also, two of the four men standing along side of car No. 50 are incorrectly identified. The correct identifications, left-to-right, are: George Mensinger, John B. Stark (grandfather of johann53217), Herman G. Kloes, Sr., and Robert F. McGillan.

[appletondv]

@johann53217

The names and date were burned right in the film. How do you know they are

not accurate?

[1400deadwood]

very nice scenery - but I hated when the camera kept jumping

nice background music

[Paul34Grand]

Wow, did those Birney cars bounce!

[packerlandtos]

I have another film done by Robert Maves and my self,who did this narration, I will try to get it edited and posted on you tube. Also I designed and assisted in a Birney car restoration depicting the car in this movie. Visit Trolley Square in Appleton, it's outside of Pullman;s Restaurant, this video runs in a window of the Birney.

[packerlandtos]

I have another film done by Robert Maves and my self,who did this narration, I will try to get it edited and posted on you tube. Also I designed and assisted in a Birney car restoration depicting the car in this movie. Visit Trolley Square in Appleton, it's outside of Pullman;s Restaurant, this video runs in a window of the Birney.

[Mouserola1952]

This is an amazing "stumble upon"! Am forwarding it to my geezer relatives in Appleton! Have heard of this trolley but never dreamed of being able to "ride along" and the narration and music are great, too.. I'll never get back to Appleton. Brings back wonderful memories of all the locations, riding through the flats etc. I grew up on Harding a block from Oneida, a block from the Cinderella Ballroom--ad on back of trolley is for a dance at the Cinderella, isn't it??

[granskare]

neat tour, lecture, and old automobiles :)

[ROCKSTARCRANE]

Amazing...hydroelectric power...exactly what's needed in this era of energy concern. Here in South Florida where we have no street rail system, and an ocean capable of generating trillions of watts of power by it tidal motion.

[ferlenarab]

@ROCKSTARCRANE The Milwaukee Road had many miles of electric rr powered by hydroelectric, their ads called it white coal. They got rid of it when diesels came around.. Why can't we do that today?

[appletonrc]

I love the local history - thanks.

[kc9fsh]

Thanks for posting this excellent video. I wish we still had a system similar to this in Appleton.

[cowunderground]

Very cool...so back in 1900's you could take a trolley and train from green bay to fond du lac. Wish we could do that now.Just think how much gas that would save!

[SnickersW00]

Thanks for posting this.

[Sistermare]

What a treat! I wish there were more videos like this of our fair city. You made my day.

[JudyHalma]

Thank you for sharing this event. Now I am excited to offer this video to guests visiting the Franklin Street Inn and Franklin Inn on Durkee Bed & Breakfasts. Both houses are on the historical record dating back to 1897& 1894. The original owners of our Queen Anne houses probably rode on the Appleton Trolley. Life has certainly changed in Appleton and it is so nostalgic to reflect. My wish is that many school age children get to watch this video so that history seems more real for them.

[seldombutseen]

Fascinating to witness when public transportation used to play an integral part of our daily lives. Imagine, going to dances on a trolley in Appleton. Let's hope the day soon comes when it becomes more mainstream once again. I am going to be using the video and link in a Geocache that will also point out the Historic Plaque in the Flats.

[lazer103mw]

I wish Appleton still looked liked that!

This video just made my day.

[josh54915]

Awesome video! It's nice to see what my city looked like long before I was born.

[ghorty]

That was very cool, I saw lots of places I know.

[dancestand]

fascinating!

...and a little sad...

thank you for posting this.

[jamaicaplain1]

excellent footage of a long gone day in our lives