The city of Athens, Georgia boasted a street railway service for forty-five uninterrupted years, from 1885 to 1930. For all but the first six years, when the small original streetcars were pulled by mules, the system operated electric-powered streetcars, also known as trolleys. Chapter 2 of this thesis offers a perspective on the history of this streetcar service. It covers the routes that were utilized, the chronology, content, and impact of developments and expansions, as well the line of succession of ownership for the operating company. Then, in Chapter 3, the thesis analyzes the potential for reintroduction of an electric streetcar system in Athens. Specifically, it focuses on some possible routes that might be suitable for an effective line or circuit. These hypothetical routes are assessed with a view towards their technical feasibility, as well as the likelihood that they will attract a ridership significant enough to sustain long-term success and viability.
