Sub-series 6.1: Trolleys by Line, 1890 - 1959
Scope and Contents
The Harvey Mordetsky Collection comprises approximately 5,000 photographs of street railway and trolley lines operative in the New York metropolitan area, including Long Island and Staten Island, as well as other areas of the United States, and select foreign locations. Approximately 1,700 35-mm color slides showing trolley lines in Canada, Europe, and the United States is an additional feature of the collection. Footage of these same services is additionally captured in a series of moving image artifacts. Non-photographic materials include 282 BMT and NYCT trolley and bus transfers, trolley and transit periodicals, and personal effects/memorabilia belonging to Mordetsky.
Dates
- 1890 - 1959
Creator
- Mordetsky, Harvey (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Series: 2.1 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Series Outline
Series 6: Photographs of Brooklyn Trolleys and Early Motor Buses
- 6.1: Trolleys by Line
- 6.2: Trolleys by Model/Car Number
- 6.3: PCC Trolleys and Trolley Coaches
- 6.4: Motor Buses by Model Number
- 6.5: Work Cars
- 6.6: Horsecars and Other Early Cars by Company
- 6.7: Trolley Yards and Depots
Series Description
Sub-series 6.1 contains images of trolleys in operation. While the majority depict trolleys serving Brooklyn, areas of Queens are also shown, insofar as the Brooklyn and Queens Transit Corporation (B&QT), and later the Board of Transportation (BOT), operated across these two boroughs. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by line, and shows trolleys in passenger service. In the 1940s and 1950s, these lines were gradually converted into bus routes. This series contains interesting photos documenting street scenes midcentury; particularly of note are images of Coney Island and Luna Park in the Sea Gate Line folder.
Repository Details
Part of the Archives and Reading Room Repository