Appleton in Outagamie County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Commercially Successful Electric Street Railway

Photographed by Fitzie Heimdahl, June 9, 2023

1. First Commercially Successful Electric Street Railway Marker

Inscription.

On August 16, 1886 the Appleton Electric Street Railway Company began operation of the world’s first commercially successful electric street railway. The cars were driven by Van Depoele direct current motors which received power from a hydroelectric generator through two trolley wires. In 1930, the expanded electric street railway system serving the cities of Appleton, Neenah, Menasha and Kaukauna was retired when bus service was begun to better serve the transportation needs of these communities.

Erected 1956 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 56.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 44° 15.3′ N, 88° 24.24′ W. Marker is in Appleton, Wisconsin, in Outagamie County. It is on South Olde Oneida Street south of West Edison Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 807 South Olde Oneida Street, Appleton WI 54915, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Wisconsin’s Fox River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Edison Hydroelectric System in America (approx. 0.4 miles away); 9-11 Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Vulcan Street Plant Replica

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.4 miles away); Lawrence University (approx. half a mile away); Henry James and Cremora Rogers Residence (approx. half a mile away); The Merging of Milwaukee-Downer and Lawrence Colleges (approx. 0.6 miles away); Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Outagamie County World War I Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appleton.

Other markers no longer nearby. World's First Hydroelectric Central Station (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Hearthstone (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Charles Joseph Van Depoele. Wikipedia entry:
"The Father of the Trolley" (Submitted on July 15, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Keith L, August 15, 2008

2. First Commercially Successful Electric Street Railway Marker

Photographed by Keith L, August 15, 2008

3. First Commercially Successful Electric Street Railway Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 3,151 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 20, 2023, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on August 19, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.