Herdic Phaeton Company

The Herdic Phaeton Company was a late nineteenth-century mass transit company that was located in Washington, D.C. The company derived part of its name from Peter Herdic, the designer of the horse-drawn carriage known as the Herdic.

Photograph of the first time a herdic cab was ever used in Washington, D.C.; photo taken circa 1888

Expanding on the success of Herdic's invention, which had increased in popularity since its launch three years earlier in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and had been used to create systems of inexpensive mass transportation in multiple major metropolitan across the United States,[1][2][3][4][5] Herdic Phaeton started operations in December 1879, and quickly became known for running plushly-upholstered carriages from 22nd and G Streets NW in Washington, D.C., along G Street and Pennsylvania Avenue to the Navy Yard.

Competing directly with the Washington and Georgetown streetcars, the company continued to expand until 1887.

History

In December of 1879, the Herdic Phaeton Company began operations. At its conception, the company operated a single route from 22nd and G Streets NW along G Street and Pennsylvania Avenue to the Navy Yard. Land was purchased at 10th and C Streets SE for the stables that would house the Herdic phaeton Company horses.[6]

In 1883, the Herdic Phaeton Company expanded its operations and established a new route started at 11th and East Capitol Streets and travelled through East Capital Streets, Pennsylvania Avenue NW, and 15th Street NW. The line and ended at 15th and F streets.[7]

In 1884, the Washington and Georgetown Railroad Company increased their presence around the Herdic Phaeton Company's 15th Street route. In response to the increasing competition on 15th street and the need for public transportation of 16th Street, the Herdic Phaeton Company rerouted its lines from 15th to 16th Street.[8][9]

In 1886, the Herdic Phaeton Company expanded its operations for the last time, establishing new lines along I and K Streets.[10]

Following the expansion of the Herdic chariot routes, the Herdic Phaeton Company received a permit to expand its stables in 1886.[11]

Despite the expansion, the Herdic Phaeton Company began its decline in the years following 1886. By 1887 the Herdic Phaeton Company began to discontinue parts of its original lines as it struggled to compete with the Columbia Railway Company.[12]

The Herdic Phaeton Company go on to serve the public for the next decade until Commodore Potts, the company's principal stockholder, died in 1896. Immediately thereafter, the Herdic Phaeton Company officially and indefinitely ceased its operations.[13]

The Herdics were still run by the Metropolitan Coach Company after to dissolution of the Herdic Phaeton Company, but they were eventually phased out when the Metropolitan Coach Company began operating buses powered by gasoline motors in 1909.[14][15]

Two of the company's waiting stations, nicknamed "herdics", still exist on the Capitol grounds near the East Front.[16]

See also

References
  1. "The Herdic Coaches: A Number in Process of Construction in This City." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 7, 1881, p. 2 (subscription required).
  2. "New Herdic Coaches: Rapid Transit and Cheap Fares for the People—New Cars, National Republican, March 11, 1881.
  3. Kelly, John. "When a herd of herdics roamed D.C. streets." Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post, January 7, 2012.
  4. "Something About the Herdics." Omaha, Nebraska: The Omaha Daily Bee, December 22, 1881, p. 6.
  5. "State News." Augusta, Maine: Daily Kennebec Journal, October 27, 1885, p. 3.
  6. "Lost Capitol Hill: The Herdic Phaeton Stables". The Hill is Home. 11 July 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  7. Records of the Columbia Historical Society, Washington, D.C., Volume 21. Columbia Historical Society (Washington, D.C.). 1918. p. 73. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  8. Records of the Columbia Historical Society, Washington, D.C., Volume 21. Columbia Historical Society (Washington, D.C.). 1918. p. 73. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  9. "Transportation History: The Washington Rapid Transit Company". Park View, D.C. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  10. Records of the Columbia Historical Society, Washington, D.C., Volume 21. Columbia Historical Society (Washington, D.C.). 1918. p. 74. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  11. "Lost Capitol Hill: The Herdic Phaeton Stables". The Hill is Home. 11 July 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  12. Records of the Columbia Historical Society, Washington, D.C., Volume 21. Columbia Historical Society (Washington, D.C.). 1918. p. 74. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  13. Records of the Columbia Historical Society, Washington, D.C., Volume 21. Columbia Historical Society (Washington, D.C.). 1918. p. 74. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  14. "Transportation History: The Washington Rapid Transit Company". Park View, D.C. 17 February 2012.
  15. "Lost Capitol Hill: The Herdic Phaeton Stables". The Hill is Home. 11 July 2009.
  16. Moeller, Jr., Gerard Martin (2006). AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C. JHU Press. p. 33. ISBN 9780801884689.
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