Lima in Allen County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ohio's First Electric Street Car Line

Photographed By Michael Baker, November 10, 2014

1. Ohio's First Electric Street Car Line Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Ohio's first electric
Street Car Line
and
one of the first in the U.S.
Began operation in
Lima, Ohio July 4, 1887.

Operated by B.C. Faurot
as the Lima Street Rail-
way and Power Co. This
line served the city
until May, 1939.

The power plant was
located near the rear
of this site.

Erected by the
Allen County Historical Society
and
Ohio Power Company
1955

Erected 1955 by Allen County Historical Society and Ohio Power Company.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 40° 44.523′ N, 84° 6.401′ W. Marker is in Lima, Ohio, in Allen County. Marker is at the intersection of North Elizabeth Street, on the right when traveling north on North Elizabeth Street. Marker is attached on the north side of the building, at the NW corner, facing the alley. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 218 North Elizabeth Street, Lima OH 45801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

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other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Faurot Opera House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old Bell (about 500 feet away); Allen County, Ohio (about 500 feet away); Allen County Courthouse (about 600 feet away); Allen County Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); BP America (about 600 feet away); Bessie Crayton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lima.

Regarding Ohio's First Electric Street Car Line. In 1885, Benjamin C. Faurot developed the first successful electric street car system in Ohio, when he purchased Lima's horse-drawn railway and had it converted to electric power in 1887. This electric railway line was one of the first in the United States.
Faurot was a successful businessman who started several businesses in Lima, and also had the first well drilled which struck oil and started the regional oil boom.

Additional keywords. Faurot Lima Streetcar electric

Photographed By Craig Doda, April 20, 2022

2. Ohio's First Electric Street Car Line Marker

<i>Public Square and North Main Street, Lima, O.</i> image. Click for full size.

The Rotograph Company, circa 1907

3. Public Square and North Main Street, Lima, O.

Postcard view showing the intersection and transfer point of two electric streetcar lines in the center of Lima.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2014, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,200 times since then and 430 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 8, 2014, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. 2. submitted on April 21, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on December 9, 2014. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.