At the time, most of Portland was located near the waterfront, making First Street the ideal spot for the new line.
The expansion of Portland inland, away from First Street, increased demand for a separate car line by the 1880s.
He attempted to sell his company to property owners on First Street, but they wanted a new electric streetcar line.
Finally, the city council granted the property owners of First Street an electric streetcar line with the condition that they buy out the horsecar company.
After the First Street Railway Company took ownership they continued the horsecar line with just two cars, four horses and one conductor.