A Streetcar Funeral

The Great Falls Street Railway Company began in 1890. The first streetcar was powered by steam until Black Eagle dam was built and the town had electricity. As the company grew, it purchased two sets of cars, one set of open cars for the summer and a set of closed cars for the winter. By 1910, the company had 10 miles of track in the city and operated 20 cars. The last major expansion was in 1916 under John D. Ryan. WWI and the rise of the automobile began the demise of the company.

Streetcar barns on 15th St., at 9th Ave. North in Great Falls, MT [1984.165.0006]

In November 1931, Montana Power, the parent company for the street cars, decided to abandon the entire operation. On the eve of abandonment, Frank Scotten, district manager of the Montana Power Company, held a funeral party for the street cars. According to the Great Falls Tribune, guests assembled at the Rainbow Hotel and were ushered into a darkened room to file past a bier on which a battered street car lay in repose. The funeral atmosphere ended when the lights came on and two Montana Power staff members began playing a violin and accordion. At 11:20 p.m., Mr. Scotten gathered his guests for the final ride of the system. Throughout the ride, the musicians continued to play as the guests sang along.

Great Falls Street Railway passenger car #36, with #8 Smelter sign over window. [1994.039.0095b]

What had the city given up for buses though? As of 1931, the Great Falls Street Railway ran 27 passenger cars and 4 service cars over 18.67 miles of track throughout the city. City fare was 5 cents, suburban fare to the Smelter was 10 cents with tokens sold three for 25 cents. The Streetcar company boasted 80 jobs and reached all parts of the city. Truly a wonderful system that was barely appreciated.

ALLEZ-VOUS-EN ANCIEN REGIME

You are invited to attend the Funeral Services of the Great Falls Street Railway to be held on the night of November 30th, 1931.

A wake will commence in Sample Room Number One of the Rainbow Hotel at 9:00 P.M. and will continue until 11:20 P.M.

The last sad rites will then be held on a Special Street Car which will be the last one to travel over the Boston Heights Route before abandonment.

[Signature]

Manager.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

Circular print of an early steam-powered street car. Shows a small engine pulling an open sided passenger car. [1992.066.0094A]

A section of exhumed Street Car steel rail, found in June 2011 when digging near Kernagan’s Service Station, 8th Avenue North and 15th Street North. The area was used as parking for the street cars. 3.75” high, 14.5” long, and 3.5” wide. [2011.021.1]

-Megan Sanford, Archives Administrator