Duluth-Superior Traction Company

Product Details

---

Duluth-Superior Traction Company
DUL-705

---

Historical Context

Interest in combining the street railway systems of Duluth and Superior under one management led to the formation of several corporations and to a number of complicated legal maneuvers during the latter half of the 1890's. A major figure behind these activities was Thomas Lowry of Minneapolis, president and principal stockholder of the company that operated the street railways of Minneapolis and St.Paul, the Twin City Rapid Transit Company. The financial weakness of the Duluth and Superior companies, however, prevented consolidation from occurring for several years.

The Duluth-Superior Traction Company (of New Jersey) was incorporated and gained a controlling interest in the Duluth Street Railway Company in 1894. The Duluth Street Railway continued as the operating company, with the Duluth-Superior Traction Company functioning as a holding company. In 1897, all of the assets of the Duluth- Superior Traction Company (of New Jersey) were assigned to the Duluth-Superior Traction Company (of Connecticut), which was incorporated by a group of men apparently organized by Thomas Lowry.

The Duluth-Superior Bridge Company was incorporated prior to 1895 for the purpose of constructing a bridge between Duluth and Superior. Construction was authorized by the state legislatures of Minnesota and Wisconsin, effective January, 1896. The bridge was completed in 1897. The Duluth-Superior Traction Company (of New Jersey), which had agreed to build the bridge, executed an agreement that provided for use of the bridge by the streetcars of Duluth and Superior. In 1900, the Duluth Street Railway Company leased the bridge from the Duluth-Superior Bridge Company.

The goal of combining the street railways of Duluth and Superior was achieved in 1900. The Duluth Street Railway Company -- still owned by the Duluth-Superior Traction Company (of Connecticut) -- was released from receivership, and the Superior Rapid Transit Company was acquired by the Connecticut firm. The two companies were consolidated, with the Duluth Street Railway Company as the surviving corporation. The consolidated company acquired the two remaining real estate promotion electric railways, the Lakeside Railway Company in 1900, and the Woodland Company in 1901, and the Park Point Traction Company in 1917.

Related Collections