Laurel Canyon Blvd is one of the main (twisting, turning) roads that connect Los Angeles with the San Fernando Valley. These days it’s nearly always busy, but back in the early 1900s when this photo was taken, Angelenos’ main method of transportation was the trackless trolley, which was powered by overhead electrical wires. On an unpaved road, it must have been a tad bumpy. Of course, back then a visit to the valley was more like a day’s outing into the countryside. But I’m worried about that automobile coming the other way. It might just be the angle, but it looks like a certain collision!
Stanley G. says: “This trolley coach connected a Pacific Electric streetcar line (which used Hollywood Blvd) with a housing development up the canyon. It did not go all the way to the San Fernando Valley.“
I could even imagine that in use on a rainy day in the mud. But it must of worked. Still I would love to have seen it.
I thought of the mud factor, too. It must have been hard going!
They are probably going the same way. The trolley would have a headlight at both ends so they din’t have to ‘turnaround’ at the end of the run, just put it in reverse?
Ah, I see what you mean. Yes, William, you’re probably right.
The trolley poles show the direction of travel…they are always angled down to drag or they would detach. This early version of what would eventually become trolley buses built by Brill (?) & Pullman was probably steerable and could get around the car while the poles would rotate enough near their bases to keep the wheels (not shoes here) in the groove. The passenger door seems to be at the forward end. Trolley buses would come to replace LARy cars on some routes before the bitter end. The line here was only a short stretch thing that never played a major role in the real transit system and did not go to the valley. Purely a touristy thing. But fun while it worked.
The photo could have been staged with the car positioned and stopped so the photographer could get both in the picture
Or it was a double exposure?
More likely a very slow exposure.
Yes, that’s a possibility.