Guide to the Robert Truax Washington, D.C. transportation collection C0273 Robert Truax Washington, D.C. transportation

Guide to the Robert Truax Washington, D.C. transportation collection C0273

Robert Truax Washington, D.C. transportation


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George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center

Fenwick Library, MS2FL
4400 University Dr.
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Business Number: 703-993-2220
Fax Number: 703-993-8911
speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu

Jordan Patty

Repository
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Identification
C0273
Title
Robert Truax Washington, D.C. transportation collection 1880 - 1985
Quantity
6 Linear Feet, 4 boxes, 1 oversize folder
Creator
Truax, Robert A.
Language
English .
Abstract
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.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

All materials created before 1926 are in the Public Domain. The copyright and related rights status of the remaining materials have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

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.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject and date.

Related Material

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

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Maps
  • Postcards
  • Urban transportation
  • Washington (D.C.)

Bibliography

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


Container List

Robert Truax Washington, D.C., transportation collection
1880-1985
  • Text box: 3
    Conductor receipts
    1898
  • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1
    Glass plate negatives
    circa 1905-1915
  • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 2
    Maps and pamphlets
    1986-1985
  • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 3
    Motorman and conductor leave of absence logbook
    1921-1929
  • Text box: 4
    Passenger receipts
    1909
  • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 4
    Rolling stock and cars inventory
    1930s
  • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 5
    Rolling stock and cars inventory
    1930s
  • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 6
    Washington, D.C., postcards
    circa 1900-1950
  • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 7
    Washington, D.C., postcards
    circa 1900-1950
  • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 1
    Washington, D.C., postcards
    circa 1900-1950
  • Maps oversize: 1
    Washington, D.C., street railway and bus route maps
    1880-1940s
  • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 2
    World War II letters
    1940s
  • Mixed Materials box: 5
    Maps and plans of Washington, D.C., streetcar system and signs with route information
    1900-1940
  • Mixed Materials box: 6
    Maps and plans of Washington, D.C., streetcar system and signs with route information
    1900-1940