Louisville and Interurban Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Louisville and Interurban Railroad (L&I) was an interurban
line that operated in and around Louisville, Kentucky
during the first half of the 20th century.
It opened its first route from Louisville east to Jeffersontown
in 1904. Subsequent routes were built to Okolona
(1905), Orell (1907), and Fern Creek (1908). In 1911, L&I acquired the Louisville & Eastern Railroad. The L&E consisted of lines from Louisville to Shelbyville
and La Grange
. From 1931-1935, all routes were abandoned.
The L&I was owned by the Louisville Traction Company, which also operated local streetcar
service through Louisville Railway Company
.
Interurban
An interurban, also called a radial railway in parts of Canada, is a type of electric passenger railroad; in short a hybrid between tram and train. Interurbans enjoyed widespread popularity in the first three decades of the twentieth century in North America. Until the early 1920s, most roads were...
line that operated in and around Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
during the first half of the 20th century.
It opened its first route from Louisville east to Jeffersontown
Jeffersontown, Kentucky
Jeffersontown is a city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. Before Louisville and Jefferson County were consolidated in 2003, it was the county's largest city outside of Louisville. The population was 26,633 at the 2000 census.- History :...
in 1904. Subsequent routes were built to Okolona
Okolona, Kentucky
Okolona is a former census-designated place in southern Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. It is centered around the intersection of Preston Highway and the Outer Loop. The population was 17,807 at the 2000 census. When the government of Jefferson County merged with the city of Louisville,...
(1905), Orell (1907), and Fern Creek (1908). In 1911, L&I acquired the Louisville & Eastern Railroad. The L&E consisted of lines from Louisville to Shelbyville
Shelbyville, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,085 people, 3,822 households, and 2,549 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,333.5 people per square mile . There were 4,117 housing units at an average density of 544.4 per square mile...
and La Grange
La Grange, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,676 people, 2,216 households, and 1,502 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,514.8 people per square mile . There were 2,330 housing units at an average density of 621.8 per square mile...
. From 1931-1935, all routes were abandoned.
The L&I was owned by the Louisville Traction Company, which also operated local streetcar
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
service through Louisville Railway Company
Louisville Railway Company
The Louisville Railway was a streetcar and interurban operator in Louisville, Kentucky.It began under the name Louisville City Railway in 1859 as a horsecar operator and slowly acquired other rival companies and so renamed the company in 1880...
.
External links
- Louisville Transit History
- Louisville & Interurban car at Dave's Electric Railroads