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The horse-drawn tramway had a major impact on Québec City’s development. Seen in this photo, Saint-Jean Gate was enlarged so that the trams could pass. This third version of the gate, built in 1863, was then demolished in 1897. After its destruction, the tramway continued to run on this site. Shortly thereafter, the horse-drawn trams were switched to electric-powered streetcars.
1880 - 1890

Horse-drawn trams

The first horse-drawn tram appeared in Québec City in 1863. The wagons of the Quebec Street Railway were horse-drawn and ran on wooden rails in Lower Town. They linked the Champlain and Jacques-Cartier markets around Langelier Boulevard. The year 1878 ushered in the Quebec St. John Railway, serving the Upper Town from Old Québec to the Sainte-Foy toll near Cartier Avenue. The area the company serviced continued to expand westward. In 1897, horse-drawn trams were replaced by electric streetcars. Lots of questions about the era await you!

The third Saint-Jean Gate

Auteur inconnu The horse-drawn tramway had a major impact on Québec City’s development. Seen in this photo, Saint-Jean Gate was enlarged so that the trams could pass. This third version of the gate, built in 1863, was then demolished in 1897. After its destruction, the tramway continued to run on this site. Shortly thereafter, the horse-drawn trams were switched to electric-powered streetcars.
Chronoscope Can you locate this place on the map? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1890