However , this format was short - lived .
The company was foreclosed upon and sold on May 6 , 1896 , then officially reorganized as the Houston Electric Street Railway Company on September 1 , 1896 .
This format was short - lived .
The company was foreclosed upon and sold on May 6 , 1896 , then officially reorganized as the Houston Electric Street Railway Company on September 1 , 1896 .