Click on the links to ride on through to the main site and
get more information about that topic!

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HISTORY

1910 - 1912: The Panama-California Exposition & the Creation of the Class 1 Streetcars

  • John D. Spreckels and his company, San Diego Electric Railway Co., work to design a new and better streetcar to transport visitors to and from the event.

  • Spreckels orders 24 brand new Class 1 Streetcars from the renowned St. Louis Car Co.

  • The brand new Class 1 Streetcars arrive in San Diego and carry patrons for the first time on January 2, 1912.

1912 - 1939: The Streetcars in Operation Throughout San Diego

  • The streetcars are a hit for San Diegans and visitors alike and serve the city from North Park to Chula Vista, through World War 1, the Roaring Twenties, and the Great Depression.
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  • The need to modernize and economize leads to the rennovation of the Class 1s.

1939: The Great Depression Leads to the Retirement of the Class 1 Streetcars

  • The onset of the Depression causes cities across the country to cut back on all fronts, including transportation, and the Class 1s are retired in favor of the more economical "PCC" car.
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  • The Class 1 Streetcar bodies are auctioned off as homes to private buyers for a period of 7 months in 1939.
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  • Over the years all but three streetcars are destroyed.

READ MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY
OF THE CLASS 1 STREETCARS

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RESTORATION

1996 - 2010: Preserving the Streetcars

  • The three remaining Class 1 streetcars are rescued from being demolished by private buyer Christian Chaffee.
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  • The Class 1 streetcars are designated as San Diego Historic Landmark #339.
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  • The Class 1s are introduced to new generations of San Diegans and plans to put them back on the streets of the city commence.

READ MORE ABOUT RESTORING
THE CLASS 1 STREETCARS

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GALLERY

Visit the Gallery for Past & Present Photos, News Articles, Videos, and more!

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LINKS

On our Links page you'll find website information for friends and supporters
of the Class 1s, as well as links to our other websites.

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BLOG

See what's going on with the streetcars, leave comments and help spread the word by keeping up with our Historic San Diego Class 1 Streetcars Blog.

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CONTACT

Visit the Contact page to join our mailing list, or email us anytime at sdstreetcars@gmail.com, and find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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