Sheridan‘s Historic Streetcar #115 offers a Glimpse into the City’s Past
SHERIDAN, WYOMING – A piece of Sheridan’s transportation history remains visible today at the Big goose Natural Area: streetcar #115, one of the few remaining examples of the city’s once-extensive electric streetcar system. Recovered from a field in 1976 as part of the Bicentennial Celebration, the car provides a tangible link to a bygone era when streetcars were a primary mode of transport for residents and visitors.
Sheridan’s electric streetcar system, comprised of the “Fort Line” and a “coal mine line,” operated from the early 1900s until the mid-1920s, succumbing to the rising popularity of automobiles and a city infrastructure project.The system’s decline reflects a nationwide shift in transportation,but its legacy endures through preserved artifacts like car #115,offering a unique chance to understand Sheridan’s advancement and the evolution of public transit in Wyoming.
The streetcars served multiple communities surrounding Sheridan, carrying significant passenger volume. round trip fares were 55 cents from Monarch,50 cents from Carneyville,45 cents from Acme,and 25 cents from Dietz. The Fort Line continued operating until March 1924,when it was replaced by a bus,while the coal mine line lasted until 1926.
The decision to discontinue the city’s trolley system came in 1923, coinciding with a surge in automobile ownership – 3.7 million cars were produced in the United States that year – and the City of Sheridan’s decision to repave downtown Main Street.
Today, visitors can view car #115 at the Big Goose Natural Area, southwest of Sheridan, offering a preserved window into the city’s past. A story with photos about moving the car originally appeared on Sheridanmedia.com on November 7, 2025.
