Car 1, Day 1, Run 1. On Muni’s first day of operation, December 28, 1912, Car No. 1 is piloted by Mayor 'Sunny Jim' Rolph, outbound on its very first run on Geary at Jones. Car No. 1 near the end of its first life, painted in the green and cream Muni Wings livery, headed outbound on the C-line on Geary at Polk, around 1950.

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 of San Francisco (URR), 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 (picture above). 50,000 San Franciscans turned out to celebrate.

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 (now part of the 30-Stockton bus) and the C-California (now part of the 1-California bus) lines.

1940—Used on first known streetcar charter by Muni supporters, setting the stage for hundreds of charters over the years.

1951—Retired from daily service. Motors removed. Car set aside for possible static display at proposed rail museum near Fisherman’s Wharf. (All 42 other cars of this type were scrapped.)

1962—After museum idea fell through, restored to original 1912 condition by Muni shops to serve as centerpiece of Muni’s 50th anniversary celebration.

1962-1981—Used occasionally for charter service on J, K. L., M and N lines.

1982—Weekend special service on J-line in autumn to commemorate 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—Began serving the new F-Market line, built as a result of the Trolley Festivals.

2000—Led the parade of streetcars to open the F-line extension on The Embarcadero to Fisherman’s Wharf.

2006—Wiring problem caused car No. 1's removal from service. Renovation is being planned.