Waupaca Electric Light and Railway Company

The Waupaca Electric Light and Railway Company was set up in 1898 as successor to the Waupaca Electric Light Association. It opened July 4, 1899 with regular service from July 9. Service was typically hourly.

The single line ran 5.12 miles from the Soo Line Depot via Oak St., Mill St., Main St., Fulton St. and Highway 22 to King on Rainbow Lake. The Grand Army of the Republic Veterans Home in King housed 600 Civil War Veterans and their wives, who provided much of the lines ridership. A small station was located near the Veterans Home in King. From there it continued on to the Grand View Hotel which served vacationers visiting the Waupaca Chain of Lakes

Equipment

No. 1 & 2 Four wheel gravel cars. Built in 1899 by James Jensen, a Waupaca boat builder

No. 10 Single truck open passenger car, purchased used in 1899

No. 12 Single truck open passenger car, purchased used in 1899

No. 16 Single truck enclosed passenger car provided year-round service. Known as the "Winter Car." Purchased new in 1900 from the Jewett Car Co., Newark Ohio. Equipped with Peckham trucks, General Electric Motors, cherry woodwork and ratin seats.

No. 17 Single truck open passenger car. Probably purchased in 1900 at the same time as No.16 and having the same equipment.

No. 19 Double truck open passenger car. May have been purchased in 1905 at the time of a planned but never constructed extension to Camp Cleghorn.

Two open trailer passenger cars. Purchased used in 1899.

Single truck baggage smoker car. Purchased used in 1899. The car body is still in existence. Owned by the Waupaca Historical Society and on display at their Waupaca railroad depot museum.

Closure

The line was losing money from 1917 and closed on July 4, 1925 after exactly 26 years service.^[1]

References