David H. Steinberg Streetcar Manuscripts Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Roanoke Public Libraries
Virginia Room
Roanoke Public Libraries
706 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, VA 24016
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Dyron Knick
Phone: (540) 853-2073

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of 1 box containing 6 folders. Included in the box are a typed 318 page manuscript, photocopies of trolley photographs, and correspondence about the collection. The manuscript compilation was begun November 8, 1983. The donation was received at the Virginia Room on December 29, 1999.

Biographical / historical:

Rabbi David H. Steinberg created “Traction in the Magic City” to document the history of streetcars in Roanoke, VA. Rabbi Steinberg was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN. He worked as a teacher, then as the owner of Steinberg’s deli in Chattanooga before he became a train conductor for the Chattanooga Choo-Choo in 1972. His interest in trains and transportation led to the creation of this collection. Rabbi Steinberg was only able to document the streetcar history up until 1911 due to poor eyesight and lack of time to finish upon moving to Brooklyn, NY in 1983 to be with the Hasidic Jewish community. In 1984, he married his wife Chava and eventually had a daughter. In NY, he worked at 47th Street Photo until it went bankrupt. He went onto work at Edison Litho and Printing Corp.

Acquisition information:
This collection was donated by David H. Steinberg.
Arrangement:

Documents are arranged by document type.

Physical description:
1 storage box containing 6 folders