Support provided by:
The Case:
A Cleveland man with a passion for trains has long wondered about an electric street car in his city’s transit museum.
He is curious to learn what happened to the city’s once extensive and highly praised electric trolley car network.
Streetcars were once the most popular form of urban transportation in the country, by World War I, most cities of more than 10,000 people had an electric railway system. But by the 1950s, this form of transportation had all but disappeared.
History Detectives hits the road to Washington, D.C. and Cleveland to track the evolution of urban mass transit systems and investigate the fate of downtown areas and the rise of suburban sprawl.
Related Content
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Related Investigation
Special Agent Five
How did this tale of robbery and murder help FBI director J. Edgar Hoover consolidate his power?
-
Also in Season 4
Alcoholics Anonymous Letter
Is this letter proof of one man's contribution to this secretive society?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
World War II Leaflets
How did this scrap of paper help change the course of World War II?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
George Washington Miniature
Did the artist paint this portrait from life, and what is its surprising connection to the abolitionist White Matlack?
-
Also in this episode
Philadelphia Freedom Paper
Is this document found in a flea market an original freedom paper for African-Americans?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Marion Carpenter Camera
What might this battered camera reveal about a photographer who changed the image of a U.S president?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.
Anyone wishing to submit an artifact for investigation should do so through Submit a Story.
- Submit your StoryDo you have a Post War object? Submit your story now.
- Latest CommentWhat is this glorifying the firearm (which is a semi-automatic by the way) of a criminal? (4 hours ago)
- Twitterremember this investigation with @TukufuZuberi @elyseluray Tonight they reunite! Let us know your thoughts! @PBS http://t.co/4KMnc27K (7 months ago)
- FacebookHow much do you think it will be worth in 50 years? (4 days ago)