Spencer in Rowan County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Southern Public Utilities Co. 1927 Streetcar #85

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, December 29, 2016

1. Southern Public Utilities Co. 1927 Streetcar #85 Marker

Inscription. Streetcar #85 was manufactured in Charlotte in 1927 by the Southern Public Utilities Company The trolley ran 11 years in the city, powered by overhead electric wires. It was the last streetcar running and was the centerpiece of a ceremony that heralded the discontinuation of streetcars in favor of city buses in 1938. During the late 1980s, the Director of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission discovered the trolley being used as housing and in deplorable condition. The Commission raised the necessary funds to restore it. From 1996 to 2003, the Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum provided popular, two-mile rides on the streetcar. When the tracks were no longer available, however, the trolley was placed into storage. In 2016, the Landmarks Commission agreed for the trolley to be leased and moved to the museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 35° 41.182′ N, 80° 26.144′ W. Marker is in Spencer, North Carolina, in Rowan County. Marker can be reached from South Salisbury Avenue. Marker is located on the grounds of the NC Transportation Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 411 S Salisbury Ave, Spencer, NC 28159, Spencer NC 28159, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker. Spencer Shops Roundhouse and Turntable (within shouting distance of this marker); Norfolk & Western Caboose 555012 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Muscle of Spencer Shops (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Town of Spencer (about 600 feet away); Historic Spencer Shops (approx. 0.2 miles away); Food Lion LLC (approx. 0.2 miles away); Food Lion Trailer No. 893615 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Magnetic Signal Company (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spencer.

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, December 29, 2016

2. Right Panel

upper photo caption
The last Streetcar run in Charlotte, N.C. took place on March 14, 1938. Mayor Ben Douglas hosted as the conductor for the last passenger ride of Trolley #85. Until then, the line was in operation starting May, 18, 1891
lower photo caption
Streetcar #85 served the Dilworth area of Charlotte after being built in the Dilworth Trolley Barn at Bland St. and South Blvd. Some of the original track can still be seen in parts of Dilworth, specifically on East Blvd., which was dedicated with a plaque in 2010.

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, December 29, 2016

3. Southern Public Utilities Co. 1927 Streetcar #85 Marker

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, December 29, 2016

4. Southern Public Utilities Co. 1927 Streetcar #85 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2017, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 265 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2017, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.