A Unique Profession: The Curve Greaser — 1935
by Paula Bosse
by Paula Bosse
The caption reads: “A unique profession — the street railway curve greaser.”
I have to admit, this is a “profession” I never knew existed. Lubricating the rails would have helped with the constant wear and tear of steel-on-steel friction and would have, presumably, cut down on the incessant squealing of streetcar wheels. This was an essential job at the time, one I’ve only just learned of!
Handwritten notations identify the intersection as “Commerce at Lamar” and the date as “3-2-35.”
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Sources & Notes
Clipping is from the Dallas History and Archives, Dallas Public Library.
“The Sketch Pad” cartoon panel by Aubrey Streater was a regular feature that appeared in the pages of The Dallas Journal. Streater was a commercial artist and headed the art department of The Dallas Morning News (publisher of The Dallas Journal).
This post appeared in a slightly different version on the Flashback Dallas Patreon page.
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Copyright © 2024 Paula Bosse. All Rights Reserved.
Flashback : Dallas 
I wonder what building that is in the background
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I think it’s the Gaston Building.
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Go to Boston, Park Street Station, Green Line platforms, and you’ll definitely see why this job is needed.
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[…] something that needed doing. I loved learning about this! If you want to know more, check out “A Unique Profession: The Curve Greaser — 1935.” (Source: Drawing by Aubrey Streater, Dallas History and Archives, Dallas Public […]
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