As you are on the old Glen Echo Trolley line…

As you are on the old Glen Echo Trolley line…. . , As you are on the old Glen Echo Trolley line, the post here marking the Route number and stop 15 is slightly east of the actual stop. Stop 15 was located along the small berm adjacent to the Palisades Park baseball field. The stop had a wooden platform on the south side. The Glen Echo trolley began operation in 1895 from Georgetown to the District line where the Dalecarlia waterworks is located. A few years later, the entire line was double tracked and extended all the way to Glen Echo Amusement Park, the former site of a Chatauqua meeting site and camp ground. The trolley spurred development in the Palisades, Brookmont, Glen Echo and Cabin John., In the early 1900's the City had an extensive streetcar system; however, the Glen Echo line was the most scenic and had soaring bridges and stunning views of the Potomac River. With few road crossings, the trolley would reach a top speed of 55 mph behind the Reservoir on McArthur Blvd. Also, it was the only streetcar operation in the city which used overhead wires for power. All other streetcars pulled power from a conduit buried under a third rail in the street., By 1910, you could board a streetcar here and go all the way to Union Station. The last streetcar here operated on January 2, 1960. Very little remains of this trolley line, except this wonderfully preserved right of way and for all of us to enjoy.