Eugene at one time had a Streetcar system. The third largest in Oregon behind Portland and Salem, however, it was coined the finest small city streetcar system in the US. The first street railway in Eugene was a mule hauled line that opened in 1891, but it closed and disappeared in 1903. The Electric Streetcar system was built between 1907-1912 by the Portland Eugene & Eastern. It was purchased by the Southern Pacific RR in 1915. Service ended in 1927. There were 4 lines in 1912.
- The Blair Line ran down 8th & Blair to River in the NW part of Eugene.
- The College Crest Line which made a loop more or less along 11th / Willamette / 28th / Friendly / Polk.
- The West Springfield line started at the SP Train station, up Willamette to 11th then out Franklin to Springfield.
- The Fairmont line also started at the SP depot up Willamette to 11th. Then through the University district, up Moss to Fairmont to Columbia to the now golf course then back down University to head back downtown.
This cache highlights part of the Fairmont line. Tracks of which are still visible in the middle of Columbia St. There is also a segment of private RoW to take the line from Columbia to Fairmont. I'm not sure why this section of rail still remains uncovered. Most of the streetcar rails in Eugene still exist, just under layers of pavement.
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| Rails end at telephone pole as the line went to a short section of private Right-of-Way to go onto Fairmont Ave. |
Looking south on Columbia St. with the Streetcar track still in place. All you need is overhead wire and a trolley! |
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| Trolley bound for West Springfield |
View of Willamette St |
The cache "fasten"atingly nutty
