Prestons First Electric Tram, C.1920
Preston is a northern suburb about 9 kms from the city.
On April 1 1920 two electric tram lines were opened simultaneously through Fitzroy and Northcote to Preston. One ran along St Georges Road, then over ’the hump’ in Miller Street and up Plenty Road to the East Preston terminus at Tyler Street. The other branched west at Miller Street then ran north along Gilbert Road to Regent Street, West Preston.
This photo shows Mrs Jones, wife of the Shire President cutting the ribbon to officially open the East Preston line. The service had been built and tested by the Fitzroy, Nothcote and Preston Tramways Trust, however by the time of the official opening on April 1st, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board had been established and had taken control of all Melbourne’s tramways.