HISTORIC PRECEDENT

For over four decades, streetcars provided transportation service to residents and visitors of Huntington. Electric rail cars began operating in the Huntington area in 1889. In 1907 the Ohio Valley Electric Railway Company developed the 3rd Avenue line, extending it from 32nd Street across the new Guyandotte River bridge to Buffington Street (Bridge Street is, practically speaking, a section of 3rd Avenue). But that was just a small part of the company's growth as it tried to tie Huntington, Ashland and Ironton together with its public transportation system.

In 1913, two long sections of the east-west line through Huntington were double-tracked, the downtown loop had been enlarged and the Ritter Park line opened to traffic as far as Spring Hill Cemetery.

Camden Interstate #32 in a Jackson & Sharp builders photo 1901 from Bill Volkmer Collection, courtesy's Dave's Electric Railroads

Several lines in Ashland had been expanded, and passing sidings had been installed at several locations between the two cities.

Huntington now had a first-class interurban route, offering a three-hour round trip every 30 minutes. Cars usually ran from 5 a.m. to midnight, but sometimes continued through the night in the winter to keep tracks clear of snow. Buses began replacing streetcars on the system in 1925. The last run available to Huntington operated from Guyandotte to Vernon Street in the West End. Nov. 7, 1937 was the last time a street car ran in Huntington. Some speculate that the 1937 Flood may have something to do with its closure.