Bartlesville Area History Museum to open exhibit on old B'ville, Dewey trolley system

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - Many cities throughout the nation are known for their electric trolleys — the public transit of yesteryear and often the tourist attractions of today.

Bartlesville had its own trolley system early in the last century, according to Bartlesville Area History Museum staff. In fact, they will be opening an exhibit on it next week.

Beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, the museum and staff will present Steel Rails: The History of Bartlesville’s Interurban — an exhibit in photos and documentation of Bartlesville’s public transportation in the early 1900s that traveled within Bartlesville and to Dewey.

At 12:15 p.m., retired engineer Rudy Geissler will speak on Bartlesville’s Interurban.

He brings to the subject nearly 50 years' experience in industrial material handling systems' engineering design and maintenance in the steel industry as well as an interest in railroads and electric powered interurban railways which began as a child riding Chicago's street cars and elevated railroad system.

According to museum staff, Geissler has devoted many hours to research and documentation of any remaining remnants of the Bartlesville Interurban Railway around Bartlesville's and Dewey's communities.

While the public is invited to bring a bag lunch, beverages and cookies will be provided by Friends of the Bartlesville Area History Museum.

The museum — located at 401 S. Johnstone on the 5th floor of City Hall — is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free.