Wonderful One: Muni’s first streetcar
This vehicle is easily worthy of National Historic Landmark status, or inclusion in the Smithsonian transportation collection. For it is the first big city publicly-owned streetcar in American history. Early in the 20th Century, American transit systems were privately owned, often part of electric utilities. As a reaction to graft and corruption on the part of the city’s privately-owned streetcar company, United Railroads, and as a reflection of the Progressive Era then sweeping California, San Franciscans passed a bond to build their own public system, the Municipal Railway, first of its kind in a major American city.
Mayor James Rolph personally piloted the first Muni streetcar, No. 1, out Geary Street on December 28, 1912 (pictured above). Fifty thousand San Franciscans turned out to celebrate. Following is car No. 1’s history.
1912
Built in San Francisco by W. L. Holman for $7,700, part of Muni’s first order of ten streetcars.
1912-1951
Used in regular service, most frequently on the F-Stockton and C-California lines (now part of Muni’s 30-Stockton and 1-California bus lines).
1940
Used on the first known streetcar charter by Muni supporters, setting the stage for hundreds of charters over the following years.
1951
Retired from daily service. Motors removed. Car was set aside for possible static display at a proposed rail museum near Fisherman’s Wharf. (All 42 other cars of this type were scrapped.)
1962
After the museum idea fell through, car No. 1 was restored to original 1912 condition by Muni crafts workers to serve as the centerpiece of Muni’s 50th Anniversary celebration.
1962-1981
Used occasionally for charter service on J, K, L, M, and N lines.
1982
Used in weekend special service on the J-line in autumn to commemorate the full-time operation of Muni Metro and the ‘end’ of surface streetcar service on Market Street.
1983
Mayor Dianne Feinstein pilots car No. 1 down Market Street to open the first San Francisco Historic Trolley Festival.
1984-87
Operated summers in subsequent Trolley Festivals.
1995
Begins serving the permanent F-Market line.
2000
Opened the parade for the F-line extension on The Embarcadero to Fisherman’s Wharf.
2006
Wiring problem caused car’s removal from service; renovation is being planned.
Market Street Railway’s goal
Full restoration of this car to 1912 appearance and ‘as new’ condition meeting California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requirements, but preserving historic fabric. Complete this work in ample time to use car No. 1 as the symbol of Muni for its 2012 Centennial, operating proudly in revenue service.
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