Product Details

Beautifully engraved antique stock certificate from the Citizens' Street Railroad Company of Shelby County, Tennessee dating back to the 1880's. This document, which has been signed by the company President and Secretary, was printed by S. C. Toof & Co. of Memphis, and measures approximately 10" (w) by 7 3/4" (h).

This certificate's vignette features a horse-drawan trolley.

Images

You will receive the exact certificate pictured.

Historical Context

The Citizens' Street Railroad Company was originally incorporated in Tennessee on May 23, 1866.

In 1890, when the company suffered a financial setback, Albert Merritt Billings of Chicago, bought the company for over $2,000,000. Billings placed electric power on the roads and the company became a great success. Billings recruited Frank G. Jones from Iowa to operate the company as vice-president. At its peak the interurban operated nearly 77 miles of trackage, 51 one of which was double-track.

In March 1895, the Memphis Street Railway Company was formed through the merger of several smaller systems including the Memphis & Raleigh Springs Railroad, East End Street Railway, City & Suburban Railway, and the Citizens Street Railroad.