Penning the Past: San Diego Trolleys with Douglas W. Mengers

Описание: Join us for an engaging exploration of San Diego’s transit history with historian and archaeologist Douglas W. Mengers. Starting with the first horse-drawn trolleys introduced in 1886, this lecture chronicles the evolution of San Diego's trolley systems—from the early electric trolley experiments and a brief cable car era to the rise and fall of the San Diego Electric Railway.

Discover how sugar baron John D. Spreckels consolidated failing lines in the 1890s to create a system that shaped San Diego’s iconic trolley suburbs, including North Park, Normal Heights, and Mission Beach. Learn how these neighborhoods flourished, how the system thrived through the turn of the century, and why it ultimately disappeared in 1949. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain fresh insights into San Diego’s historic neighborhoods and the transportation network that helped shape them!

Author bio Douglas W. Mengers is a San Diego-based historian and archaeologist with a passion for uncovering the stories behind Southern California’s growth and infrastructure. Specializing in the history of San Diego’s trolley suburbs, Mengers brings this fascinating era to life through rare images sourced from collections including the San Diego Electric Railway Association, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, and more.