Mystery Photo: Trolley Car and Conductors
This undated postcard photo of two conductors standing next to a trolley car comes with a few details. The trolley car has a destination sign that reads: “W. Dul. & Aerial Bridge.” And the word “Duluth” is handwritten on the back of the card.
There is also a name written on the back, which seems to indicate that one of the men in the photo is named Abel Hisrud and he is a native of Fosston, about 150 northwest of Duluth.
Can we pin a year on this image? Who was this Abel Hisrud? Or is it Disrud? Who is the other guy? Is that a particular trolley station behind them or just a random building?
My wife pointed out that that’s a “D,” not an “H.”
Maybe it’s Abel Ole Disrud, born 1888. Son of Henry H. and Agnes Disrud.
Mr. Disrud might be Ole Disrud, who is listed variously as Abel online and Abl O, agent, in the 1910 Duluth City Directory. In most census documents he just shows up as Ole.
Streetcar on Lake Avenue at Morse Street, Duluth, Minnesota
Streetcar employees, Duluth, Minnesota
Taking photos of the motormen near the cards seems to have been pretty common; they just looked so dashing in their uniforms, or something. I’d say this was around 1910.
