Trolley Lines
 
In the late 1800's the country saw the beginning of a new industry-- Public
Transportation. Electric Traction (Trolley) companies began to appear in urban areas.
Trolley magnates needed to operate trolleys on weekends --to get the public to ride on
Saturdays and Sundays, they built amusement parks at the end of trolley lines and the
"Trolley Park" was born. Today, only twelve remain but in 1910, more than 2000
Amusement Parks were operating throughout the US. Norfolk saw a great deal of growth in
the 1880's which included the installation of a street railway system. The Norfolk
City Railroad Company began the laying of railway tracks, with the first
installed on Main Street. As the service grew, so did suburban development; and residents
moved to newer developments and commuted to work. Within ten years, expansion included Sewell's
Point, Ocean View, Ghent, Atlantic City,
South Norfolk, Berkley and beyond.
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