1886 San Antonio Horsecar
Current status, 2025
Background
This paragraph, from the Texas Transportation Museum website, very briefly describes the beginning of horsecar service:
San Antonio streetcar service began on June 27, 1878, just over one year after the first railroad, the Galveston Harrisburg & San Antonio, reached the city. The system would peak in 1926 at 90 miles of tracks. The cars were pulled by horses or mules until they were electrified in 1890. The very first route ran from Main Plaza to San Pedro Park.
Service History
The age of the car is uncertain at this point. It could date to the beginning of streetcar service in 1878, and completely matches a photo of car 4 lettered for the first route – “Alamo Plaza & San Pedro Springs.” On the other hand, at some point (probably 1933 – more on that below) the year 1886 was painted on the side. That it was built by the J. G. Brill Co. is sure due to the builder’s plate on the car. It can be assumed that when electrical streetcars debuted on San Antonio’s streets in 1890, it was retired from service.
The horsecar when it appeared at OPT in 2023
Post-Service History
Our car was somehow saved when the streetcar lines were electrified. In 1933, when the electric streetcars were converted to buses, a parade was held and the surviving horsecar was brought out and operated in the parade.
For many years it was on display at the Witte Museum, but somehow ended up in the possession of the local transit agency, VIA. In 2019, they auctioned it off. A local resident purchased it, and, unable to do anything with it, sold it to Scott Jones.
On March 3, 2023, a friend of Eric Sitiko let him know that a mule-drawn streetcar had been listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace for $12,000. Eric was aware of the car’s existence prior to it being listed for sale. He saw and photographed it in 2014 in a VIA bus garage where it was stored. Eric sent OPT CEO Gene Caywood the link. He consulted with some of the Street Railway volunteers and with Bob Schlanger, then asked Eric to contact the seller, Scott Jones. He was concerned that they didn’t have the facilities to protect the horsecar property or restore it, and thus wanted OPT to have it. Arrangements were made to transport the car to Tucson.
San Antonio streetcars ran on 4-foot gauge track. On initial investigation, it appears the wheels can readily be moved out on the axles enough to convert it to standard gauge. At this time, its structural integrity is undetermined and will require extensive investigation. Future restoration plans, if possible, are to replicate a mule-car that ran in Tucson around the turn of the 20th century.
Restoration Status
The horsecar is in a state of arrested decay. It is structurally intact, but its condition is still unknown, presumed fragile. There are no plans to restore it at this time.
Ownership Snapshot
Original Owner: Unknown
Acquired From: Scott Jones in 2023
Current Livery: San Antonio Public Service #1886
Technical Specs
Year Built: Unknown
Manufacturer: J.G. Brill
Model: N/A
Serial: Unknown
Powertrain: 1-2 mules
Body: Wooden body on iron frame
Length:
Width:
Seating: