Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Rare Books
[Scrapbook of 20 mounted diagrams depicting the growth of the Pacific electric railway from 1895-1916]
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Rare Books
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Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
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Visual Materials
The collection consists of 3396 black and white photographs (many with corresponding original and copy negatives), 116 unprinted glass plate negatives, memos, correspondence, press releases, and notes related to the Pacific Electric Railway, ca. 1870s-1950s. The collection provides a comprehensive overview of the routes and areas served by the Railway during the years of its operation, and thus a picture of the growth of Southern California during the first half of the twentieth century. The images include views of landscape along, and towns served by, the Pacific Electric routes, including Central Los Angeles; Pacific Electric track and stations; Pacific Electric advertising, publicity, and public relations photographs; Los Angeles and surrounding area parks; Pacific Electric employees and employee activities; construction of Pacific Electric facilities, such as the Hollywood subway, the 6th and Main Street terminal, and the Subway Terminal Building; and Pacific Electric trolley cars and buses. The views along the Pacific Electric routes include beach communities such as San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach, Redondo Beach, Laguna Beach, Venice, Ocean Park and Santa Monica. These images include views of the coastline, the towns, and the amusement areas of Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Venice, and Ocean Park. Also included are many photographs of Mount Lowe—the cable incline railway, the trolley up to Ye Alpine Tavern, the Tavern itself, and the Mount Lowe Tavern. The Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange County views document the landscape and popular sites in and around the towns served by the Railway; these include the Glenwood Mission Inn and Rubidoux Drive summit. Also of note are the photographs documenting activities of Pacific Electric employees, including construction of and activities in the Pacific Electric Club and outings sponsored by the Railway; and the construction of the Pacific Electric and Subway Terminal Buildings.
photCL 91
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Manuscripts
Chart displays constituent and predecessor companies of the Pacific Electric Railway Company as of June 30, 1914, with 73 individual units listed. Unit entries include company title, date of incorporation, and date of consolidation or stock purchase.
mssHM 84042
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Rare Books
Apparently an early layout for the Los Angeles Freeway system. First freeway was the Arroyo Seco Parkway, now I-110. Prime meridian: GM. Relief: no. Graphic Scale: Miles, feet. Projection: Cylindrical. Printing Process: Lithography.
492438
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Visual Materials
Two photograph albums compiled by the Pacific Electric Railway Company featuring employees, offices and publicity scenes of Southern California tourist destinations. Views include individual and group portraits of employees (some named); offices, workers and ticket office at the downtown Los Angeles headquarters; substations; streetcars and working equipment. There are numerous views of Mount Lowe and Echo Mountain showing people in the tavern and bungalows reached by the Mount Lowe Railway; crowds on the beaches and piers of Venice, Santa Monica and Ocean Park; the Redondo Beach Bath House; street scenes in Balboa at a crowded ceremony, and the Mission Inn, Riverside. Other views include posed scenes with models or "bathing beauties"; company exhibits at citrus fairs; a group of clowning men in "drag" (possibly employees), and a group portrait of Mexican American children and company nurses at one of Pacific Electric's section camps for Mexican American employees.
photCL 209
Rare Books
Shaded relief makes this lithograph look like an aerial photograph. Many station names have disappeared. Prime meridian: GM. Relief: shaded. Projection: Cylindrical. Printing Process: Lithography. Verso Text: Sticker: 127146 A-West.
127146
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Manuscripts
mssHM 84515