Long Beach attracted Southern Californians with the Plunge at the Pike, an elaborate seaside amusement park
The Pike opened the same year as Pacific Electric service from Los Angeles to Long Beach
Long Beach locals gather in summer attire to celebrate the first day of Pacific Electric “Red Car” service between their city and Los Angeles. Long Beach’s population grew from just over 2,000 in 1900 to nearly 18,000 in 1910.
Just a few years after rail between Los Angeles and Long Beach opened, traffic was bustling.
This structure was demolished in the late 1980s to make way for the I-105 “Century” Freeway.
This structure was demolished in the late 1980s to make way for the I-105 “Century” Freeway
Pacific Electric’s Ocean Boulevard Station in Long Beach, later replaced by the Hotel Stillman.
Long Beach is growing, and so is its traffic. In ten years, more than 10 times the number of automobiles!
Pacific Electric streetcar on Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach. Note the small child watching from the sidewalk.
By the early 1930s, planners began preparing the city and the public for an extensive network of highways.
Long Beach continued to grow as a city and recreational destination well into The Great Depression.
This aerial photograph shows a packed beach with considerable open land near the coast.
Los Angeles continues to grow as well, with population increases outpacing every other major American city.
Map illustrating average drive times from downtown Los Angeles. Downtown Long Beach is nearly an hour away on insufficient roads.
Close-up of Pacific Electric streetcar bound for Long Beach, taken by noted Los Angeles photographer Herman Schultheis.
Pacific Electric streetcar headed from Los Angeles to Long Beach.
As the two cities grew, the streetcars competed with vehicular traffic in moving people between the two biggest population centers in Los Angeles County.
Pacific Electric freight depot in East Long Beach, since demolished.
Sailors outside the Pacific Electric and Southern Pacific Railroad Long Beach Station, since demolished.
Pacific Electric Watts Depot. Currently a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Pacific Electric Watts Depot. Currently a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and on the National Register of Historic Places.
New, modern Pacific Electric “Red Car” stopping in front of a hotel. The line stopped running in 1963.
In the final days of Red Car service to Long Beach, Alan Fishel filmed the route for posterity on March 31, 1961.
The Long Beach/Los Angeles Rail Transit Project, Ride the blue line to the future.
Two-car railcar as envisioned at Compton Transit Center on future Metro Rail Blue Line
By the 1980s, plans were introduced to restore passenger rail between Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Less than five years after Los Angeles County Transportation Commission officials break ground, passengers will once again be riding between Los Angeles and Long Beach Caption: Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley at Blue Line groundbreaking.
The LACTC promoted the convenience and ease of light rail to Los Angeles County residents, and educated them on construction, access, safety, fares and other basic principles of public transit.
The Metro Blue Line tracks are shows in the foreground snaking their way between Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles in the distance. Pacific Electric’s rail line from the early 20th century laid the foundation for the 22 miles of tracks.
Southern California Rapid Transit District promoted rail development with bus line connections.
Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley speaks to dignitaries and the public at the dedication of Metro Rail’s first project: The Metro Blue Line. He is joined at the podium by Los Angeles County Supervisor Ed Edelman. The Metro logo on the podium is for LACTC’s Metro Rail and predates the foundation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority by three years. The LACMTA later adopts a modified “M” logo in use to this day.
Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn and LACTC Chair Nick Patsaouras at dedication ceremony.
One of the first riders of the Metro Blue Line is Los Angeles County Supervisor Ed Edelman who was integral to Metro Rail’s development and launch.
A mock-up Pacific Electric “Red Car” streetcar makes way for sleek, modern light rail service in Los Angeles. The Southland returns to its proud transportation roots as new streetcars once again move people by rail.
A lot of work goes into launching new rail service. Maintenance workers ensure that everything looks and feels perfect on Metro Rail’s big day – the return of rail service to Los Angeles after more than 30 years.
Poster commissioned as part of the Metro Blue Line Opening Arts Celebration by the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission’s Art for Rail Transit program.
Five years after groundbreaking, the Metro Blue Line project comes to fruition as the first train rolls out just south of downtown Los Angeles and bursts through a celebratory banner.
An article titled “Californian Change of Heart” trumpeted the debut of Metro Rail in Public Transport International, a leading global transportation publication.
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