Chicago Cable Cars - Softcover

Borzo, Greg

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1609493273 ISBN 13: 9781609493271

Publisher: The History Press, 2012

Synopsis

When most people hear cable car" they think "San Francisco." Yet for almost one-quarter of a century Chicago boasted the largest cable car system the world has ever seen, transporting more than one billion riders. This gigantic public work filled residents with pride--and filled robber barons' pockets with money. It also sparked a cable car building boom that spread to twenty-six other U.S. cities. But after twenty-five years, the boom went bust, and Chicago abandoned its cable car system. Today, the fascinating story of the rise and fall of Chicago's cable cars is all but forgotten. Having already written the history of the "L," Greg Borzo guides readers through a stretch of Chicago's transit history that most people never knew existed--even though they have been walking past, riding over and even dining in remnants of it for years. . ."

About this title

About the Author:

Chicago native Greg Borzo's published works include articles in Modern Railroad Magazine, Traffic World, The Business World, and Momentum Magazine. His books include The Windies' City, The Chicago L"? and Where to Bike Chicago. Borzo writes independently, speaks publicly and conducts tours about the "L, "? bicycles and cable cars. Editor and Co-founder of Forgotten Chicago"

Review:

"Borzo's 192-page book contains dozens of historical photos as well as maps of cable-car lines. He delves into the technology of the cable car and the Chicago politics and economics that helped spur both its realization and subsequent demise because of obsolescence and the benefits of the electric trolley, which was a more comfortable and profitable transportation mode." --Chicago Tribune

About this edition

• Publisher: The History Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1609493273
• ISBN 13: 9781609493271
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192