Removing the old Streetcar Tracks

The #9 streetcar originally went from Catonsville to Ellicott City, and turned around at Fel's Avenue next to the old fire station for the return trip. It was perhaps 1966, maybe a little earlier, when the old streetcar tracks were removed as part of a new Main Street paving project. Much of the town's character was lost that week. Ripped out were the streetcar tracks, cobblestones, granite curbstones, granite drain blocks and much more. Already gone was the streetcar, gone was the bumpy ride, gone the shiny rails of steel. Smooth asphalt was the new excitement, finally a smooth ride through the old town. They didn't make the narrow streets any wider, it's still a narrow street, and it is said: "If you can drive through old Ellicott City, you can drive anywhere".
As I said before, much of the town's character was lost that week, but amazingly, the town has lost much of it's character throughout its long history, and still, it remains one of the most interesting places anywhere.