Overview

The Como-Harriet Streetcar Line is an example of Minneapolis’ historic public transportation system. 

• Location: 42nd Avenue West at Queen Avenue South 
• Neighborhood: Linden Hills 

Historic profile

The Como-Harriet Streetcar Line is an example of Minneapolis’ historic public transportation system. This line connected Lake Harriet to downtown St. Paul. By 1954, buses replaced the streetcar lines. The Lake Harriet Trolley, also known as "1300," is a restored streetcar that uses the line. 

The tracks of the line were first used by horses in 1884 and then by electrified cars in 1891. After streetcar service ended in 1954, the Como-Harriet line was abandoned. In 1969, the train tracks began to be relaid along its right-of-way. Currently, the trolley runs on 1.5 miles of the original tracks. 

The Lake Harriet Trolley was built in 1908 and considered a "fast car." It is 46 feet long, over 9 feet wide, and over 11 feet tall. It has a yellow body, brown and green accents, and a red roof. The interior is finished with ivory and wood. The trolley seats 50 people. In 1954, instead of scrapping the trolley, residents rallied to save it. It was placed in storage until volunteers began to restore it in 1962. In 1971, the trolley began operation again. This was a collaborative effort among many stakeholders. The Minnesota Streetcar Museum owns and operates the trolley today.