C0273Guide to the Robert Truax Washington, D.C. transportation collection C0273Robert Truax Washington, D.C. transportationJordan PattyGeorge Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center

July 22, 2015

Fenwick Library, MS2FL4400 University Dr.Fairfax, Virginia 22030Business Number: 703-993-2220Fax Number: 703-993-8911speccoll@gmu.eduURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-06-05 03:01:29 -0400.EnglishDescribing Archives: A Content Standard George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center Robert Truax Washington, D.C. transportation collection Truax, Robert A. C0273 /repositories/2/resources/400 6 Linear Feet 4 boxes, 1 oversize folder 1880 - 1985 Collection consists of a variety of transportation-related documents, maps, and images. The most numerous group in the collection is approximately 150 postcards of Washington, D.C. from the early to mid-20th century, many of which include streetcars as well as famous streets and buildings. Map Case 17.1 English Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

 Use Restrictions

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated. (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

 Preferred Citation

Robert Truax Washington, D.C. transportation collection, C0273, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

 Acquisition Information

Donated by Jeff Haggquist and Heidi Worley in August 2014.

 Processing Information

Processing completed by Michael Hogan in July 2015. EAD markup completed by Jordan Patty in July 2015. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in February 2019 and November 2022.

 Historical Information

Streetcars, also known as trolleys and trams, were a popular mode of transporation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Often, streetcars were powered by electricity and moved along a track laid in streets. Streetcars were popular in metropolitan cities, including Washington, D.C., which boasted more than 200 miles of track for its streetcars. The last day of streetcar service in Washington, D.C. was on January 28, 1962.

 Scope and Content

Collection consists of a variety of transportation-related documents, maps, and images. There are 150 postcards of Washington, D.C. many of which include streetcars as well as famous streets and buildings. The collection also includes approximately 12 maps of Washington, D.C. street railway and bus routes from 1880 and the 1940s. There are rolling stock inventories from the 1930s and conductor leave of absence reports from the 1920s. There are also a small number of World War II letters unrelated to the rest of the collection. There are also two glass plate negatives approximately 6.5 x 8.5" that contain images of Luna Park in Arlington, Virginia, and a railroad track and train in Harper's Ferry Virginia. Both images date from around 1900 to 1915. There are also a small number of materials related the postal service and stamps. Finally, there are two oversize volumes: one volume of passenger receipts from 1909. and one volume of conductor receipts from 1898.

 Related Material

Special Collections Research Center holds many other transportation-related collections.

 Arrangement

Arranged by subject and date.

 Bibliography

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. "streetcar." Encyclopedia Britannica, October 29, 2018. https://www.britannica.com/technology/streetcar.

 Maps Postcards Urban transportation Washington (D.C.) Robert Truax Washington, D.C., transportation collection/repositories/2/archival_objects/997201880-1985Conductor receipts/repositories/2/archival_objects/9972118983Glass plate negatives/repositories/2/archival_objects/99722circa 1905-191511Maps and pamphlets/repositories/2/archival_objects/997231986-198512Motorman and conductor leave of absence logbook/repositories/2/archival_objects/997241921-192913Passenger receipts/repositories/2/archival_objects/9972519094Rolling stock and cars inventory/repositories/2/archival_objects/997261930s14Rolling stock and cars inventory/repositories/2/archival_objects/997271930s15Washington, D.C., postcards/repositories/2/archival_objects/99728circa 1900-195016Washington, D.C., postcards/repositories/2/archival_objects/99729circa 1900-195017Washington, D.C., postcards/repositories/2/archival_objects/99730circa 1900-195021Washington, D.C., street railway and bus route maps/repositories/2/archival_objects/997311880-1940s1World War II letters/repositories/2/archival_objects/997321940s22Maps and plans of Washington, D.C., streetcar system and signs with route information/repositories/2/archival_objects/997331900-19405Maps and plans of Washington, D.C., streetcar system and signs with route information/repositories/2/archival_objects/997341900-19406