American History: A Survey (Brinkley), 13th Edition

Chapter 18: THE AGE OF THE CITY

Interactive Maps


Streetcar Suburbs


In the late nineteenth century, fast growing urban centers such as New Orleans suffered tremendous housing shortages. People could afford to build houses in the less dense areas of the city, but its muddy, rutted streets could not support the traffic back into the shops and factories of the business core. The invention and installation of an elaborate system of streetcars allowed the moderately well-to-do of the city to escape into new suburbs built along its lines.



1

What natural features bounded development for the city of New Orleans? How did geography shape the city before the streetcar revolution?

2

What new areas did the streetcars help to create? What institutions were connected to the city by the streetcars? What areas diminished in relative importance as a result of changes in population?

3

What changes did streetcars make in the class and racial composition of the central city and outlying area? What groups were able to move to the new suburbs? What groups stayed behind in the older sections of the city?

4

Create a description of New Orleans in 1900 as seen from a streetcar line starting in the business core and proceeding outwards. Choose a route on the map. Describe the neighborhoods you pass through, the sights, sounds, and smells as you progress outward on the line. Describe your fellow passengers as well.

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