Formed when the Albina line was split into two separate lines in January 1891 – this “Lower” line initially running up N Larrabee and Interstate to N Stanton and Albina at the base of the steep grade up Stanton. Service up the hill to the St. Johns motor line terminus was sporadic over the years, sometimes served by the Upper Albina line and sometimes by the Lower Albina line.
The line was extended north from Stanton up to Beech in October 1899, and double track was laid on Mississippi Avenue from Goldsmith to Stanton around the same time. This allowed the more circuitous route along N Interstate to be abandoned. For a while, alternating service was run to the Beech Street and Stanton Street terminuses.
In March 1902, the line was extended northward to N Shaver Street, and then to N Prescott Street in May 1904. In early November 1905, the line reached an interchange with the St. Johns line at N Albina Avenue and Killingsworth Street near the Piedmont carbarn.
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.
| Important Dates: | January 1891 – Lower Albina line is formed when the old Albina line was split into two distinct operating segments. October 24, 1899 – Extension to N Beech Street opens. Late March 1902 – Extension to N Shaver Street opens. May 3, 904 – Extension to N Prescott Street opens. April 1905 – Headboards are changed to “Mississippi Avenue”, though the “L” dash sign persists. November 8, 1905 – Extension to N Albina and Killingsworth opens. | | --- | --- | | Preceded By: | ‣ | | Succeeded By: | ‣ | | Operating Companies: | ‣ ‣ ‣ | | Gauge: | Narrow (3-feet, 6-inches) | | Headboard: | “L” dash sign; “Lower Albina” headboard | | Car Barn: | ‣ ‣ |