Romeo in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Electric Streetcars
Romeo's Historic Movement
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
1. Electric Streetcars Marker
On November 18, 1899 the first electric streetcar arrived in Romeo.
It moved up a track in the center of Main Street, connected by long rods to overhead electrical lines. Later, it turned west on St. Clair Street to the new Detroit United Railway station in the former Ketchum Brothers carriage factory. The village connected to the electric streetcar network that had been established across southern Michigan, and Romeo was never again an isolated rural setting. Business, shipping, and recreation grew along the tracks, but the more popular automobile and rising costs brought the electric streetcar system in Romeo to an end in 1931.
You Auto Know
In addition to passenger cars, specialized streetcars included express cars, "double-header" cars linked together, and milk cars for transporting milk cans.
Erected 2010 by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 18, 1899.
Location. 42° 48.193′ N, 83° 0.875′ W. Marker is in Romeo, Michigan, in Macomb County. It is on North Rawles Street
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Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Village Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Helen Starkweather (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wooden Wheels (about 300 feet away); Village of Romeo (about 400 feet away); From the Foundry Fires (about 600 feet away); Many Tools and Many Tasks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Simpson Park Campground (approx. 1.4 miles away); Religious Society Church (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Romeo.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
2. Upper Left Image
Romeo's streetcar station, about 1920. Passengers and freight were delivered and left here. This building had earlier been the Ketchum Brothers' carriage factory on the north side of West St. Clair Street. Photo courtesy of the Romeo Observer.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
3. Lower Left Image
Streetcar traveling south on South Main Street, about 1905. Postcard courtesy of Judy Gass Lopus.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
4. Upper Center Image
Detroit United Railway employees, riders, and friendly children. Motormen and conductors ran each car along all routes. Photo courtesy of the Romeo Observer.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
5. Lower Center Image
A Detroit United Railways shipping document, 1910. Courtesy of the Romeo Historical Society.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
6. Upper Right Image
Rochester machine shop. Rochester was the source of the 600-volt electrical power for the Romeo streetcar line, and workers in this Rochester shop maintained the streetcars. Photo courtesy of the Romeo Observer.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
7. Lower Right Image
Local Romeo store advertisement. Open cars, like the one shown above, were not used on the Romeo line. Image courtesy of the Romeo Observer.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
8. Electric Streetcars Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 948 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 17, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
