In the early 1900s, Texas had nearly 500 miles of track for electric interurban railways, with much of the network centered in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Locally, the line connected Dallas and Fort Worth by way of Arlington, running directly down the middle of Abram Street with several stops.

Beginning in 1902, the Interurban offered frequent passenger service that was often faster and more convenient than the era’s steam railroads. The electric cars, similar to a trolley but able to go much faster, were popular for quick jaunts across town, regional travel, and commuters—especially traveling salesmen known as ‘drummers,’ who used them to visit multiple sites in a single day and ‘drum up’ business.

To power the cars, the Northern Texas Traction Company built a power plant and a man-made reservoir in Handley (present-day Fort Worth) known as Lake Erie. The lake served a dual purpose: providing cooling water for the plant and serving as a popular destination for boating and picnics. However, as Interurban usage declined, so did the recreation at Lake Erie. The lake remained a water supply for the power plant until it was eventually drained following the completion of Lake Arlington.

Interurban Station – Arlington, Texas (1921)
Photo Credit: Arlington Historical Society

The final Interurban car rolled through Arlington on Christmas Eve 1934. The rise of the automobile and improved roadways like the Bankhead Highway (Division Street) prompted a sharp decline in ridership.

After the service ended, much of the Interurban’s steel rail was salvaged and repurposed, with portions later sold for scrap to support the war effort during World War II.

The Interurban remains a significant chapter in Arlington’s history and local transportation.

---

Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 12-24-25