The Rise and Fall of the Interurban

Cheri Ryan and Kevin Stadler reflect on the rise and fall of The Interurban, the primary inter-county mass transit system from 1910 to 1939. Adoption of private automobiles spelled the system's demise.

But the Interurban was a glorious technical achievement. Its route through south Snohomish County was carved out of old-growth forest. Its plush cars were propelled by overhead wires, and reached speeds of 60 miles per hour in places along the route. It ran every half hour for most of the day, then hourly until midnight. The route took an hour and ten minutes to traverse, quick in those days.

Who: Everett Public Library
Location: Everett Public Library Auditorium
Address: 2702 Hoyt Avenue
Everett, WA 98201

Phone: 425-257-8000
Email: libref@ci.everett.wa.us
Cost: free