Streetcars

Menasha was serviced by electric streetcars from 1898 to 1925.  The general consensus has traditionally been that streetcar service ended because of the rise of the automobile.  But for Neenah and Menasha, at least, the official reason cited was that the streetcar company (Wisconsin Traction, Light, Heat, and Power Company) didn’t want to be responsible for paying for new bridges.  Moreover, they alleged that there was sufficient “motor bus” service to take up the slack. Streetcar service lasted in Appleton and Oshkosh until 1930.