Title: Knoxville Railway and Light Company Records

Date/Date Range :   1896-1920

Extent: 143.0 linear feet

Abstract:

This collection houses vouchers, journal entries, and account records documenting the activities of the Knoxville Park Association, the Knoxville Electric Light and Power Company, the Knoxville Street Railway, and the Knoxville Traction Company between 1896 and 1920.

Call number: MS-1502

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) donated these papers to the University of Tennessee Special Collections Library in 1952.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], Knoxville Railway and Light Company Records, MS-1502. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of 143 boxes.

There were a number of different companies offering gas and electric service to the residents of Knoxville, Tennessee in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These enterprises included the Knoxville Gas Light Company (organized in 1840), the Knoxville Gas Company (organized in 1903), the Knoxville Electric Light and Power company (organized in 1888), and the Knoxville Traction Company (organized in 1898). Beginning in 1890, Knoxville also had several electric streetcar lines. In 1905, all of the electric and transit companies were consolidated as the Knoxville Railway and Light Company.

This collection houses vouchers, journal entries, and account records documenting the activities of the Knoxville Park Association, the Knoxville Electric Light and Power Company, the Knoxville Street Railway, and the Knoxville Traction Company between 1896 and 1920. Some of the more interesting items in this collection show Knoxville's rapid growth during the early 20th century, including accounts of claims paid to customers injured while trying to "alight the trolley," mules injured trying to "get out of the way," and the Knoxville Electric Light and Power Company's social contributions (for example, a donation to the University of Tennessee to be used towards publication of the Volunteer and "same when it is off the press." )

A more detailed guide to this collection may be found in the Special Collections Reading Room or online at
http://idserver.utk.edu/?id=200700000002342.

• Knoxville (Tenn.) -- History.
• Knoxville (Tenn.) -- Commerce.
• Public utilities -- Tennessee -- Knoxville.
• Knoxville Railway and Light Company.