I’m glad that someone had a camera on this day back in 1887 when the first electric railway line opened for business on Pico St, in downtown Los Angeles. It wasn’t installed as public transport, but as to assist in sales for a real estate tract. I’m guessing the endeavor was successful because Pico St later got upgraded to Pico Boulevard. It looks like the sides of the cars had striped drapes that could be unfurled and used as a shield from the sun. I can’t imagine these things went very fast, but it sure beat walking!

** UPDATE ** – Per the Los Angeles Historical Museum the line ran from the Plaza to Pico Heights. Started in 1887, the Los Angeles Electric Railway (LAERy) ran the first electric powered streetcars in Los Angeles. It, however, operated only intermittently and frequently one had to wait two hours for a car. Operation was discontinued in the Fall of 1888.

Clipping from the Los Angeles Daily Herald, January 5, 1887: