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This engraving features a horse-drawn tram on Saint-Paul Street in Québec City. We see in the background the large and impressive facade of wholesaler J.B.E. Letellier. Masts suggest the proximity of the port. The Lower Town tramway line provided economic stimulus to this very commercial area, allowing residents and tourists to shop here without hassle.
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!

J.-B.-E. Letellier, wholesale groceries

George Bishop Engraving and Printing Co., Montréal This engraving features a horse-drawn tram on Saint-Paul Street in Québec City. We see in the background the large and impressive facade of wholesaler J.B.E. Letellier. Masts suggest the proximity of the port. The Lower Town tramway line provided economic stimulus to this very commercial area, allowing residents and tourists to shop here without hassle.
Chronoscope What can be found here today? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Image from The City of Quebec Jubilee Illustrated- Date: 1887