LSE 181 has the distinction of being the last complete interurban car built by the Jewett Car Co. of Newark, Ohio.  Jewett was known for its large wood-bodied cars.  With its tradition of fine cabinetmakers quality, it never comfortably transitioned to a market dominated by steel-bodied lightweight cars.  The company unsuccessfully tried to diversify into truck body building.  After this car emerged from the shop in July of 1918, Jewett would only do rebuilding of previously built cars until it went out of business the next year.

This car was part of a set of twelve cars ordered from the Jewett Car Company.  Constructed over a decade after wood body cars like 149 and 151, the car has a frame and sides made of steel and a rounded arch style wood roof.  This newer style steel car was equipped with four 140 horsepower electric motors each and seated 64 passengers.  The high horsepower motors gave the car a crisp acceleration that was appreciated by operating crews.  Higher seating capacity made them a favorite of company management.  They were a welcome addition to the Lake Shore’s busy passenger fleet.

Car 181 ran until LSE’s abandonment in 1938.  Like so many interurban cars, it was stripped of its trucks and electrical gear.  These items were valuable as scrap.  The body was sold off to become a residence.  It was used as a cottage west of Vermilion, Ohio for many years.  It was acquired by the Museum in 1985.

Builder	Jewett Car Company
Type	Interurban Car
Description	Single End Double Truck Arch Roof Steel Coach
Year Built	1918
Retired	1938
Acquired	1985
Seats	64
Length	60′ 2″
Width	8′ 8″
Height	12′ 7″
Weight	84,900
Trucks
Motors
Control
Brakes
Compressor