“Queen Anne Counterbalance Streetcar”. Ever heard of it? The Counterbalance Bicycles Mural commemorates this unique piece of Seattle history. It immortalizes the spirit of innovation that once propelled streetcars up this very hill.
Let’s journey back to the late 19th century. Queen Anne Hill posed a significant transportation challenge. Its steep slopes made it difficult for early streetcars to climb. The solution? A counterbalance system.
Imagine a streetcar struggling to ascend a 19 percent grade. Now, picture a sixteen-ton counterweight lurking in an underground tunnel. This weight, attached to the streetcar via a cable, would assist in the ascent and ease the descent. This ingenious system began operating in 1901. It quickly became an integral part of Seattle’s transportation network.
The Queen Anne Counterbalance used an underground cable looped around sheaves. These sheaves were at the top and bottom of the hill. The surface streetcar connected to the upper cable. The lower cable was connected to a rail car counterweight. The counterweight ran on a parallel set of tracks in a tunnel.
When a streetcar went up or down, the rail car went the opposite way. It created balance. Attendants in small booths engaged the streetcar. They adjusted the counterweight. This was work-intensive. It limited service to every 12 minutes.
The system was designed by J.P.F. Kuhlmann. It was used in other cities too. But the Queen Anne Counterbalance had the largest tunnel. It had the largest counterweight car.
By 1902, a parallel set of tracks were added. This included a second tunnel and counterweight. Seattle Electric Company also purchased ten new streetcars. These streetcars served until 1940.
The Front Street Cable Railway started a cable car franchise in 1889. It connected Pioneer Square and Denny Way. The company extended its line to Highland Drive. Cable cars were ideal for the steep blocks.
Seattle Electric acquired the railway in 1900. They electrified the cable car lines. The counterbalance system supplemented the motors on Queen Anne Hill. It was one of the last cable car lines in Seattle.
In 1937, a race was held. It was between the Counterbalance and a trolleybus. The trolleybus won easily. Soon, trolleybuses replaced streetcars.
The last run of the West Queen Anne streetcar line was in 1940. A mob vandalized the streetcar. They broke windows and stripped seats.
Today, the Counterbalance Bicycles Mural reminds us of this past. The tunnels still exist undisturbed. The modern King County Metro trolleybus line follows the old route.
The Counterbalance name lives on. Businesses use it. Even the TV show Frasier mentioned it. The Counterbalance Bicycles Mural is a testament to Seattle’s innovative spirit. It captures a unique chapter in the city’s history. It also serves as a reminder of the challenges overcome to connect communities.