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At the same time the citizens of Norwood were pushing for a street car line through Norwood, to the Montgomery Road bridge, the Kerper company had extended the Walnut Hills Cable to what was then the Cincinnati corporation line at Woodward Avenue and Montgomery Road. Henry M. Lane, son of Col. P. P. Lane, was the engineer of the project. Although the extension and the new station were outside Norwood, it was significant for the Norwood commuter. Norwood residents had to walk one to two miles to the end of the line to catch the cable car, so this shortened their walk somewhat. A new well-furnished waiting station was surely appreciated by the commuters, also. The mention, at the end of the article, about new electric street car lines is interesting, since the line that would be built through Norwood in a few years would be electric — not cable. So, the successful implementation of these lines would ensure the Norwood line was electrically powered. The following clipping from the Cincinnati Gazette describes the extension.
June 16, 1888
Extension of the Walnut Hills Cable.
"Yesterday the cable cars of the Walnut Hills road, to the delight of the people who live at Norwood and at the extreme end of East Walnut Hills, began making regular through trips to the corporation line at Woodward avenue and the Montgomery road. For several months past President Kerper has had a force of men working night and day to raise the grade for a distance of a quarter mile, besides doing away with the turn-table that has been the jumping-off-place for so long a time. The grade of the road, under Henry M. Lane, engineer, has been raised some three feet, and Superintendent Alley has had the road macadamized and the tracks laid, extending the cable to the point mentioned.
The cars now carry all to a beautiful new waiting station at the end of the road, and instead of making any stops, by a circular-shaped roadway, run completely around this station. There is no delay of any kind, no long waits, only the usual stops to enable passengers to get aboard the cars and off. The Walnut Hills Cable road has accomplished what they have been endeavoring to do for some time, and the expense in doing it has amounted to some $18,000. This saves them, by doing away with the old turn-table system, some $4,000 per annum in operating the road. The new building to be used as a waiting station is a two-story frame, nicely ornamented with slate roof, and has conveniences for ladies and others that will be appreciated. The upper story is to be occupied by the keeper of the station. There are neatly furnished sitting-room[sic] for ladies and gentlemen, and a large rooms[sic] for employes. This building has been erected at an expense of $3,000. The new electric cars for the Oak Street and Avondale line are to be tested early next week." |