Tag Archives: 1800s
The Second Street Cable Railway running up Spring St’s steep incline, Bunker Hill, downtown Los Angeles, 1898
I’m sure Angelenos were glad when the first cable car system opened in Los Angeles. The Second Street Cable Railway started operations in 1885, and ran from 2nd and Spring to 1st and Belmont, a run of around a mile … Continue reading
Open-air cars on the first electric railway along Pico St (later Blvd) in downtown Los Angeles, 1887
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 … Continue reading
Looking west along Requena St (later Market St) toward North Main St, downtown Los Angeles, circa 1890
Most of the pre-1900 photos I’ve seen of downtown Los Angeles show a bustling metropolis, crowded with pedestrians, streets cars, horses, carts, and the odd dog. But this tranquil scene is quite different. We’re looking west along Requena St (later … Continue reading
One of Los Angeles’s first cable streetcars travels north along Broadway as the photographer faces south from 2nd Street, downtown Los Angeles, 1893
Before Los Angeles’ famous streetcar network became electrified, the city ran cable-driven streetcars much like the ones up in San Francisco. In this 1893 photo, we seeing one of LA’s first cable cars as it runs northward up Broadway at … Continue reading
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Tagged 1800s, Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles City Hall, Streetcars
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Sixth Street Park (later Pershing Square), downtown Los Angeles circa late 1880s
Yesterday I posted a 1951 shot of Pershing Square after it had been dug up in preparation of the multi-level parking structure that was built under it. In researching that photo, I came across this much nicer, much earlier photo. … Continue reading
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Tagged 1800s, Churches, Downtown Los Angeles, Pershing Square
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Fully dressed Angelenos enjoying the sun at Santa Monica Beach and pier, Los Angeles, 1880
I know that the people in this 1880 photo were Victorians with a very strong and rigid sense of propriety, but still, just the idea of spending the day sitting on Santa Monica Beach and strolling along the pier while … Continue reading
Victorian mansions fill the 200 block of S. Olive St, downtown Los Angeles, circa 1895
It’s good we’ve got photos like this one to remind us that once upon a time, downtown Los Angeles was filled with grand Victorian mansions. This circa 1895 shot was taken on the 200 block of S. Olive St near … Continue reading
Possibly a parade down Colorado Blvd (then Colorado Street), Pasadena, California, circa 1890
I’m not sure what was happening on Pasadena’s Colorado Blvd (then called Colorado St) when this circa 1890 photo was taken, but from all those flags hung from the horse-drawn carriages, it looks like a parade. July 4th, maybe? And … Continue reading
Hotel in Long Beach, California, 1887, a year before it burned down
I couldn’t find which hotel this was other than it was in Long Beach and that this photo was taken in 1887. Still, it gives us an idea of what the hotels back then looked like. This looks to be … Continue reading
Horse-drawn streetcar in Lincoln Heights near Los Angeles High School, circa 1890s
I’m guessing this street car ride would have been a bit of a jerky, bumpy journey. Still, it meant that people living in Lincoln Heights, where this circa 1890s photo was taken, had a way to get into downtown Los … Continue reading