1854

The Columbus Street Railroad Company, incorporated June 10, 1854 was authorized by Columbus city ordnance to build a street railway on High Street, Broad Street, Harrisburg Pike to past Green Lawn Cemetery, Town Street from High Street to East Public Lane thence to Friend Street, thence on the National Road, and “Elsewhere in Columbus as deemed expedient”.  Nothing came of these plans

1862-1863

An ordinance was passed authorizing the building of a street railway on High Street, State Avenue, Town and Forth Streets. The Columbus Street Railroad Company actually built a double track street railway on High Street from Union Depot to Mound Street (The Court House) a distance of 1.2 miles.  The first horse car ran on June 10, 1863.  The fare was limited to seven cents or five tickets for twenty-five cents.[1] Columbus had a population of 18,000. 

1864

Two open cars were placed in service.

1865-1869

With the end of the war traffic dropped off.  That along with a $5,700 assessment for improvements to High Street nearly sunk the little line.  To keep the company in business the heavy double track was taken up and along with the two-horse cars sold.  Light rail single track was laid and one-horse cars were purchased.  Conductors were replaced with a fare box allowing the line to survive the hard times.  Within three years of these changes the line was again making a profit.     

1865

The North Columbus Railroad Company was incorporated on November 25, 1865.  This company had authority to construct from the northern terminus of the High Street line to North Columbus (the area around fifth Avenue).  It is not clear if this company actually constructed any track.

1868-1869

The Friend Street Railroad Company was incorporated with authority to build from High Street to the County Fair Grounds (Franklin Park).  First built to East Public Lane (Parson Avenue) eventually it did reach the Fair Grounds.

1870-1876

The East Park Place Street Railroad Company was incorporated with authority to build on Long Street from High Street to the County Fair Grounds.  While there were variations in the route in various authorizations eventually the route would start at Broad and High streets thence north to Long Street, east to Mulberry Street (now Parkwood Avenue) south to Broad Street ending at the County Fair Grounds (now Franklin Park).[3]

In 1876 the East Park Place Street Railroad Company built an additional route on Cleveland Avenue north from Long Street to Mt. Vernon Avenue thence east on Mt. Vernon to Twelve Street.  There was also a short branch on Washington Avenue from Mt. Vernon Avenue to Buckingham Street to serve the U.S. Barracks (later named Fort Hayes).

1872

The Glenwood & Green Lawn Railroad Company was incorporated April 23, 1872.  It ran on West Broad Street from High Street to the western city boundary where the “asylums” were located.  There was also a line on Glenwood Avenue from West Broad Street to Mound Street thence East to the Green Lawn Cemetery. This line was three and a-half foot gauge.  (Most other horse car lines in Columbus were five feet, two-inch gauge at this time.  The North Columbus Railroad Company was four feet, eight and a-half gauge.) 

1874

At the same time the CSR Co. was authorized to build a line on Goodale Street from North High Street to Neil Avenue and thence on Neil avenue to the north end of the college.

1875

The tunnels were always unpleasant, dank and smelly from the horse droppings.    

1876

The North High Street Railroad (predecessor of the North Columbus Railroad Company?) was authorized to extend its tracks on High Street from the old corporation line at Fifth Avenue north to the new corporation line at Arcadia Avenue. It also was allowed to share the tunnel tracks with the Columbus Street Railway Company.

1879

The Friend Street and East Park Place Companies were consolidated with an improvement in service.

1880

Double track from South of the High Street Tunnel to Mound Street was also authorized, on condition that the company should keep in repair all that portion of the street or streets lying between lines drawn one foot outside of and beyond the extreme outer rails, the company charges but one fare of five cents in one car over its lines, a transfer from the North High street and the State and Oak Street companies to be granted for a single fare of five cents.

1880 or 1885[5]

The Columbus Consolidated Street Railway Company purchased the North Columbus Street Railway and Chariot Line.  The North Columbus Street Railway and Chariot Line ran horse cars from Arcada Avenue to Union Depot where the customer could change to a chariot or to a CSR Co. horse car.  The two lines had been sharing the High Street subway.  The CSR Co.  immediately eliminated the chariot route from Union Depot to downtown Columbus and was able to extended their route north from University Street to Arcada Avenue.

1883

The Columbus Consolidated Street Railway Company purchased land at the State Fair Grounds (Franklin Park) to build a stable and car house.  This eventually became the Rose Avenue shops (later renamed the Kelton Avenue shops)

1885

After October 1885 cars would only stop at the crossings of streets and alleys.

1887

June 27, 1887 permission given to build the Chittenden Avenue line from High Street to the State Fair Grounds. This was the first electric line using an experimental electrical system.

1888

The company obtained permission to extend its track from Stewart Avenue to the south corporation line.

1889

Authority was given to construct double track on High Street from Chittenden Avenue north to Hudson Street.

1889-1891

Note: The figures of mileage mean entire length of single track, counting one mile of double track as two of single and counting switches as additional length.

1891

The Chittenden Avenue stables and car house were destroyed by fire. Lost in the fire were 25 horse cars.  All the horses were saved.

1892

The Oak Street line is electrified ending the Horse car era.