United Railroads of San Francisco

United Railroads of San Francisco, the Market Street Railway Company and the Municipal Railway Co., were all aggregations of small street railway lines that provided urban transportation for San Francisco. Among these street railways were the following: Sutter St. Railway Co., Sutro Railway Co., San Francisco and Alameda R.R. Co., and the South San Francisco Railroad and Power Co. The United Railroads of San Francisco was organized in March, 1902 and sold out to Market Street Cable Railway Co. in 1921. In 1944, the Municipal Railway of San Francisco (Muni) bought the capital of the Market Street Railway Co.

From the description of United Railroads of San Francisco records, 1866-1951. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122384230

Historical Background

Organized in 1902, the United Railroads combined the Market Street Railway, Sutter Street Railroad, and San Francisco & San Mateo Railroad. The company survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire and a protracted and bitter strike the following year. It continued to operate streetcars in the city and down the San Mateo Peninsula until 1921. In that year, the United Railroads was succeeded in business by a new Market Street Railway.

From the guide to the United Railroads of San Francisco Collection, 1902-1910, (California State Railroad Museum Library)

Historical Note

The United Railroads of San Francisco, as well as the Market Street Railway Company and the Municipal Railway Co., were all aggregations of smaller street railway lines that provided urban transportation for San Francisco. Among these street railways were the following: Sutter Sreet Railway Co., Sutro Railway Co., San Francisco & Alameda R.R. Co., and the South San Francisco Railroad and Power Co.

The United Railroads of San Francisco was organized in March, 1902, with authorized capital stock of 40 million dollars mostly owned by California Rail & Power Co. Because of its inability to pay matured indebtedness and interest on outstanding indebtedness, it sold out to Market Street Cable Railway Co. in 1921. In 1944, the Municipal Railway of San Francisco (Muni) bought the capital of the Market Street Railway Co.

From the guide to the United Railroads of San Francisco Records, 1866-1951, (Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.)