2012/10/01

Detroit United Railway - the 25 Dollar brand

Detroit United Railway herald
The Detroit United Railway, according to the Street Railway Review, driven by "the desirability of having some distinctive emblem to mark the property, stationary and general literature of the company", once organized a public contest. This contest was won by a Mr. William J. Ryan who submitted the herald shown here and who has been awarded the $25 prize money. 

This happened in 1903, the golden years of Traction Lines, and the 25 Dollars were a considerable sum in this days. Translated to actual values, the worth could be situated in a range between  $659 (using the Consumer Price Index), or about $4360 (using Production Worker Compensation as indicator).

I don't know what use was made of this trade mark, and if it was displayed on their cars. But you can download the editable pdf file here,

(Source : Street Railway Review Vol. 13, No.4, April 1903)
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2 comments:

  1. Phil R.2/15/2013

    Here is a photo of a Detroit United Railway logo in concrete that I took a photo of at Mt. Clemens Michigan several years ago.

    https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WocMTFUAfKc/Tv-KyI5O6PI/AAAAAAAAC8E/j7mocHqvC0U/s902/IM000562.JPG

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  2. Anonymous1/28/2014

    On August 27, 1863, the Detroit City Railway Company (DCRC) established streetcar service along Woodward from Jefferson to Adams avenues. The company was formed by investors from Syracuse, New York, earlier that year. Later, on September 18, 1886, a separate electrified line, the Highland Park Railway, was added that ran along Woodward Avenue through Highland Park.[74] In mid-December 1893, the main streetcar line was electrified by the DCRC.[75] In 1901, the various lines throughout the city were consolidated as the Detroit United Railway.
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=703002836406134&set=a.105451539494603.3301.100000892733100&type=1&theater

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