Formed when the Albina line was split into two separate lines in December 1890 – this “Lower” line initially running up N Larrabee and Interstate to N Stanton and Albina at the base of the steep grade up Stanton.

Sometime between 1896 and December 1900, the route was adjusted to turn off N Interstate one block earlier and run up N Mississippi Avenue, and plans were made to start extending the line northwards from Stanton, reaching N Shaver street in April 1902.

This line officially became the Mississippi Avenue line in April 1905 when new headboards were added to the cars, although they retained their “L” dash signs until c. 1916, when “MA” became more prevalent.

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