Volunteer Spotlight: Jake O.
Jake O. has been volunteeering with the Issaquah History Museums since 2012, serving as a trolley conductor, operator, and Board member. During our 2026 trolley season alone, Jake lent some 100+ hours of his time toward driving, conducting, and training a new crop of crew members. If you rode the trolley this season, you probably saw Jake—and we hope you had the chance to give him a hearty thanks!
Of all the worthy causes you could support—why the trolley?
As a child, I had an interest in model railroading and real trains. I grew up in Bothell and was curious about what the trains might be hauling and to where. Honestly never thought about where goods might have been coming from at the time, nor did I know the railroad passing Bothell was originally part of the Seattle, Lakeshore & Eastern railroad built in the late 1880s that ran through places like Issaquah and North Bend. As an adult, I’ve grown my interest of local history; Bothell history because I grew up there and am a part of it and Issaquah history because I’ve lived here for over 35 years. I was invited to help out with obtaining a trolley around the year 2000, but didn’t get actively involved until the refurbished #519 arrived in August of 2012.
What is your most cherished trolley-related memory, or a meaningful relationship you developed around the trolley?
I really enjoy watching children’s faces light up with the prospect of riding an unusual piece of rail equipment and when approached to support the Cougar Ridge elementary 2nd Grade field trip in 2018, I was excited to have the opportunity to add an element to their learning experience. I developed a custom trolley ride program for the 2nd grade field trip with multiple stops and short talks about the historical building or feature visible from the current trolley stop. As a visual learner, I found this approach the perfect way to add local Issaquah history to their Local History curriculum while getting a bit of fun riding a trolley.
For how long have trolleys/railcars been a part of your life—including when they were just a dream or idea?
Railcars much of my life, primarily as a preferred method of moving goods around the country. I personally still feel it’s far more efficient than trucking goods, but do understand the ease of point-to-point delivery via truck. Honestly never really though much about trolley cars in general prior to my involvement with the Issaquah Valley Trolley.
What advice, inspiration, or wisdom would you pass along to a new generation of IHM and trolley volunteers?
Take the time to learn the history of the Issaquah Valley Trolley #519 along with various facets of local history. It’s easy to engage with guests on the trolley and being able to answer most of their questions is very rewarding. Specific to the 1925 J.G. Brill Trolley that originally ran on the streets of Portugal, I’ve followed the path of many of the 19 or so identical trolley cars produced near Philadelphia, then assembled and operated on the streets of Lisbon, Portugal; to the point that I’ve scheduled stops on two of my summer vacations to specifically visit the #508 in the Rail Museum in Lisbon, Portugal and attempted to visit another sister car during a vacation stop in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.
Anything else you would like to say about yourself?
First and foremost, I enjoy adventures, especially travel adventures, with my wife Gretchen and also enjoy time with our two children and their families. I like supporting and giving back to the community I live in and have done so in various places during my life. I served on the IHM Board of Directors for five years along with leading the Issaquah Trolley project for six years before stepping back just before COVID hit. I currently serve on the Seattle Men’s Chorus & Seattle Women’s Chorus board of directors.
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