The Dinkey and The Interurban in Delaware
The Story of the Delaware Street Railway Company and the Columbus, Delaware & Marion Interurban
An Exhibit of the Delaware County Historical Society
at The Meeker Homestead Museum on Sundays 2pm – 5pm
The people of Delaware County have always been on the move. At first, on foot, on horseback, on buggies, and wagons. Later moving by stage coach, on bicycle, and on Trains. Then came Street Cars and the Interurban.
Delaware had railroads since the 1850’s, for hauling freight and passengers to across the country. Local transportation, however, was strictly horse and buggy. Just before the turn of the century it would take 16 hours to travel by stage coach from Columbus to Delaware and not a very pleasant trip.
The Streetcar – Dinkey
The C.D. & M. Rail-car
In 1892, The City of Delaware introduced an electric railway passenger service providing a good portion of the City with the Streetcars, some called them “Dinkeys”.
In 1903, Delaware gained an accessible transportation line to Columbus and Marion called Columbus, Delaware & Marion Railway (C.D. & M.), an electrically run Interurban rail line.
Come visit an exciting era in the growth of Central Ohio through display photographs, newspaper articles, and other archived items from the Delaware County Historical Society’s collection along with additional loaned artifacts. Some of the exhibit items have not been seen for nearly 100 years. Step into a very progressive time-period, for the country and for Delaware County.
This is important time, worthy of a visit to understand how Delaware City and County developed.
The Meeker Homestead Museum is located at 2690 Stratford Road, Delaware near the intersection of US 23, SR 315 and the recently constructed access road Meeker Way (Map and Directions). Admission to the museum is free, but a donation of $5 to support operating costs is suggested. Docents will be available to lead guided tours and answer questions.
For more information about the museum, or to find out about opportunities to volunteer as a docent, email Info@DelawareOhioHistory.org or call 740-369-3831, extension 3.
The Delaware County Historical Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote, preserve and sustain interest in the history of Delaware County. The Barn at Stratford is operated by DCHS as an event venue for weddings, corporate meetings and other special occasions.