Thanks for the great read. I live on Metro Route 4 in Judkins Park and reflect often on the connection to the old trolley system.
With regards to the retaining walls, are they these waist-high walls for example here [1] and here [2]? Are both the beams and the concrete from the trolley system? Amazing if so -- I would have never guessed just by looking at them.
Great article. When Olympic Way W on the SW slope of Queen Anne was repaved a few years ago some tracks were exposed. The asphalt is now cracked, indicating the rail locations if you know where to look.
I have also heard that the building at 1821 10th Ave W had trolley maintenance facilities, but I have never been able to find any documentation. Curious if anyone has any info.
Another excellent example of the street car rail & ties being recycled into retaining walls can be seen along 49th Ave SW directly uphill of (the so called) Endolyne Park
https://maps.apple.com/?address=Endolyne Park, Seattle, WA 98136, United States&ll=47.514448,-122.394389&q=Endolyne Park&_mvs=CjYJy2r47eHBR0AR7daKuTuZXsAZAACAdu0wL0AhvqSxPjNAYkApepjbP4pQL0AxAAAAAAAAAAASIgoLNDl0aCBBdmUgU1cSCkZhdW50bGVyb3kaB1NlYXR0bGU%3D
Where, exactly, is the end of the line in Endolyne? Maps and commentary are vague, ambiguous, and confusing. One of the most commonly cited (including by Mike Bergman) locations is 45th Ave SW and SW Roxbury St, but that is physically impossible; the narrow road there traverses a steep slope.
From what I have gathered from the papers, is that the end of the line of the Fauntleroy trolley was about a block south of SW Wildwood Place and 45th Avenue SW but I certainly don't claim any expertise. Looking at maps, that location makes more sense, as you note, than 45th and Roxbury.
I think the most likely location is the intersection of 47th Ave SW and SW Brace Point Dr. It is the only intersection in the neighborhood broad enough, and level enough, for a street car turnaround. The route would have been down Fauntleroy Way to the entrance to the Coleman estate part of the neighborhood, then a left hand turn onto SW Brace Point Dr (where there is a very large radius corner, like a street car would need) uphill one block to SW 47th
I have wondered about that isolated piece of cobblestone wall in Woodland park for years!! This is a wonderful revelation. Similarly, I bike under and wonder at the amazing bridge (also pictured) over Lake Washington blvd. It appears to be from some past civilization, which in a way it is.
The cobblestone wall is finally explained! However, you have it captioned as being west of Aurora, when it is, in fact, east of Aurora. The spur road that goes into the park there is deceptively named 59th ST, even though it turns 90 degrees to run N -- S
Excellent piece, David. I bought the book. A colleague pointed out the turnback on NE 55th, right across from my barber. I'm a streetcar fan from growing up in LA, and rode a special excursion of the last five MTA [originally LA Transit] lines the last week of March 1963: J, P, R, S, and V. All replaced with belching GM "Silverliner" buses.
Thanks for the great read. I live on Metro Route 4 in Judkins Park and reflect often on the connection to the old trolley system.
With regards to the retaining walls, are they these waist-high walls for example here [1] and here [2]? Are both the beams and the concrete from the trolley system? Amazing if so -- I would have never guessed just by looking at them.
1: https://www.google.com/maps/@47.5838627,-122.3095037,3a,75y,271.77h,79.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sS9akcQdEJu6MReUQja4heg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?entry=ttu
2: https://www.google.com/maps/@47.5939857,-122.3144078,3a,75y,226.88h,72.24t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sPAEz8UzsMcHd87ZGvMx-ug!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DPAEz8UzsMcHd87ZGvMx-ug%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D326.00327%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
Yes, those are the retaining walls that incorporate the trolley tracks and concrete slabs.
Thanks for the links Matt, very cool.
Great article. When Olympic Way W on the SW slope of Queen Anne was repaved a few years ago some tracks were exposed. The asphalt is now cracked, indicating the rail locations if you know where to look.
I have also heard that the building at 1821 10th Ave W had trolley maintenance facilities, but I have never been able to find any documentation. Curious if anyone has any info.
I don't know about the maintenance but I am always pleased when streets are repaved and the old stories are unearthed!
Another excellent example of the street car rail & ties being recycled into retaining walls can be seen along 49th Ave SW directly uphill of (the so called) Endolyne Park
https://maps.apple.com/?address=Endolyne Park, Seattle, WA 98136, United States&ll=47.514448,-122.394389&q=Endolyne Park&_mvs=CjYJy2r47eHBR0AR7daKuTuZXsAZAACAdu0wL0AhvqSxPjNAYkApepjbP4pQL0AxAAAAAAAAAAASIgoLNDl0aCBBdmUgU1cSCkZhdW50bGVyb3kaB1NlYXR0bGU%3D
Where, exactly, is the end of the line in Endolyne? Maps and commentary are vague, ambiguous, and confusing. One of the most commonly cited (including by Mike Bergman) locations is 45th Ave SW and SW Roxbury St, but that is physically impossible; the narrow road there traverses a steep slope.
From what I have gathered from the papers, is that the end of the line of the Fauntleroy trolley was about a block south of SW Wildwood Place and 45th Avenue SW but I certainly don't claim any expertise. Looking at maps, that location makes more sense, as you note, than 45th and Roxbury.
I think the most likely location is the intersection of 47th Ave SW and SW Brace Point Dr. It is the only intersection in the neighborhood broad enough, and level enough, for a street car turnaround. The route would have been down Fauntleroy Way to the entrance to the Coleman estate part of the neighborhood, then a left hand turn onto SW Brace Point Dr (where there is a very large radius corner, like a street car would need) uphill one block to SW 47th
I have wondered about that isolated piece of cobblestone wall in Woodland park for years!! This is a wonderful revelation. Similarly, I bike under and wonder at the amazing bridge (also pictured) over Lake Washington blvd. It appears to be from some past civilization, which in a way it is.
Good point...it was some past civilization, or at least, way of moving around Seattle.
The cobblestone wall is finally explained! However, you have it captioned as being west of Aurora, when it is, in fact, east of Aurora. The spur road that goes into the park there is deceptively named 59th ST, even though it turns 90 degrees to run N -- S
Ooops. You are right: brain fart. I have fixed it.
Is this why Woodland Park Ave N is so freakishly wide?
I believe that that is correct.
Excellent piece, David. I bought the book. A colleague pointed out the turnback on NE 55th, right across from my barber. I'm a streetcar fan from growing up in LA, and rode a special excursion of the last five MTA [originally LA Transit] lines the last week of March 1963: J, P, R, S, and V. All replaced with belching GM "Silverliner" buses.