Horse Drawn StreetCars



The first streetcars in Chicago were horse-drawn and entered into service on April 25, 1859. The first line ran on State St. between Randolph and 12th Streets.

The original streetcars were 12 feet long, held 18 passengers, and operated at 3 mph. Over the next few years, several additional routes were added and by 1866 horse car service went as far as 39th Street.