Greenville in Hunt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Streetcars

Photographed by James Hulse, July 28, 2025

1. Streetcars Marker

Inscription. Mule-drawn streetcars provided Greenville's first public transportation from 1889 to 1890. In 1910 the City contracted with the Greenville Electric Street Railway Company to run electric trolley cars in the city. On October 3 of that year, a "golden spike" ceremony on west Lee Steet signaled the start of construction of the trolley lines. The company provided service to Burleson College on west Lee Park Street, Graham Park and Wesley College, south of town. The fare to any destination was a nickel.

To attract business the Railway Company renamed Graham Park, calling it Forest Park after an amusement center in St. Louis, and built a band stand shell, dance pavilion, bowling alley, skating rink. 600 seat theater with stage, a zoo, and a children's play area. When the trolleys began running in May, 1911, the company held a big celebration with free barbecue at the park.

Unfortunately, the nickel fares weren't enough to cover the cost of resetting track (as agreed in the contract with the City) as street paving caught up with the trolley lines. The Electric Street Railway ended service in December, 1918.

Erected by Greenville Main Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1911.

Location.

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33° 8.398′ N, 96° 6.556′ W. Marker is in Greenville, Texas, in Hunt County. It is at the intersection of Lee Street and Wesley Street, on the right when traveling west on Lee Street. The marker is located along the wall of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2810 Lee St, Greenville TX 75401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Texas Divided (a few steps from this marker); That's Entertainment (within shouting distance of this marker); Cotton Made Greenville Great (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Greenville Building and Loan Association (about 300 feet away); The Bankhead Highway (about 300 feet away); Greenville Beats the Yankees (about 300 feet away); Central Christian Church (about 400 feet away); Greenville (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.

The view of the marker at the right corner of the building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse

2. The view of the marker at the right corner of the building

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.

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