First Interurban in the United States

The Brazil Times  Sept. 28, 1925

All Aboard!  Harmony, Knightsville, Brazil and Cottage Hill!  This little interurban line 4.4 miles long is credited with being the first built in the United States.  It was constructed by the Brazil Rapid Transit Company composed of Geo. Van Ginkle, Des Moines, IA.; R. N. Baylis, of Chicago; John D. Sourwine of Brazil.  The line was originally built from the west extremity of Brazil to Harmony and later extended to Cottage Hill.  Six years later the line was sold to the Terre Haute Electric company then projecting a line between Terre Haute and Brazil.  This line was completed in 1900, when Peter Leidinger cut loose with one of the old Brazil line cars and dashed over the new line to Terre Haute as a sort of a joy ride.  A crowd takes a ride on one of the open cars on the new interurban line on Christmas, 1893.  A big crowd enjoyed a free ride given by the Rapid Transit Company to the Epworth Sunday School.

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