History of Waterbury and Milldale Tramway in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 27, 2025

The Waterbury and Milldale Tramway was a streetcar line operating between Waterbury and Milldale, Connecticut, spanning 8.7 miles. Chartered in 1907, construction began in 1912, with the first section opening in November 1913 and the full line operational by December 1914. Known locally as the "Green Line" due to its green streetcars, it also had unique cars. Due to unprofitability, the eastern portion was abandoned in October 1927, and the remaining line in October 1933. A bus route replaced part of the line which is now operated by Northeast Transportation Company as CTtransit route 425.

July 1905: First attempt rejected

In July 1905, the first attempt to incorporate the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway was rejected by the state legislature.

June 5, 1907: Second attempt approved

On June 5, 1907, a second attempt to charter the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway was approved by the legislature.

June 1907: Company chartered

In June 1907, the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway company was chartered to build a streetcar line between Waterbury and Milldale, Connecticut.

August 1911: Charter extension granted

In August 1911, an extension to the charter for the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway was granted.

October 1912: Construction began

In October 1912, construction of the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway ultimately began.

1912: Construction begins

In mid-1912, construction of the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway began.

July 1913: Contract awarded

In July 1913, a contract to complete the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway line as far east as Hitchcock Lake was awarded.

November 19, 1913: First section opens

On November 19, 1913, the first section of the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway entered service.

December 19, 1914: Full line opens

On December 19, 1914, the full Waterbury and Milldale Tramway line was open.

1914: Service extended to Hitchcock Lake

In late 1913 or early 1914, service on the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway was extended to Hitchcock Lake.

July 1915: Request denied

In July 1915, the state denied the Connecticut Company's petition to allow the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway to lay a second track near Milldale.

December 1916: Subsidiary created

In December 1916, the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway created a subsidiary, the Waterbury and Bristol Tramway, to build a connecting line from Mill Plain to Bristol.

1916: Additional streetcars acquired

In 1916, The Waterbury and Milldale Tramway acquired two additional "semi-convertible" streetcars from Wason.

1918: Cars originally ordered

In 1918, Birney cars, later purchased by Waterbury and Milldale, were originally ordered by the Cape Breton Electric Company of Nova Scotia.

1921: Additional cars purchased

In 1921, the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway purchased additional cars numbered 112 and 114 from the American Car Company.

1924: Supplied electricity to Wolcott

By 1924, the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway supplied much of Wolcott with residential electric power.

1925: Road paving begins

In 1925, paving of the Waterbury–Cheshire Road began, creating a fully paved road between Waterbury and Meriden.

September 1927: Agreement to sell bus franchise

In September 1927, the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway agreed to sell its bus franchise and buses to the New England Transportation Company.

October 1927: East portion abandoned

In October 1927, the east portion of the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway line was abandoned.

October 16, 1927: Bus service begins

On October 16, 1927, the Waterbury and Milldale Tramway began operating a Waterbury–Hartford bus service and ended streetcar service east of Hitchcock Lake.