December 13: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

1900:  The Automobile Club of Southern California files Articles of Incorporation with the State of California.

The Club is founded by ten car enthusiasts in Los Angeles.

Agricultural Park race of 1903. (Courtesy of Automobile Club of Southern California collection, 1892-1963) Click for more information

While the first automobiles took to the streets in Los Angeles in 1887, by 1923 there were 430,000 cars registers in the city — one for every three people.

1913:  Pasadena’s Colorado Street Bridge is dedicated.  More than 3,000 local residents turn out for the ceremonies.The structure was replaced by the Arroyo Seco Bridge in 1951 as part of the Colorado Freeway in Pasadena.

1999:  The first of 30 “Millennial Markers” on Angels Walk is unveiled.

The 12-foot cylindrical markers are intended to served as a “classroom without walls” which highlight the history and significance of downtown locations through the use of historic photographs and text.

Angels Walk was launched in 1997 with support from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to encourage pedestrian exploration of the Bunker Hill / Historic Core District of downtown Los Angeles.

More information can be found in the December 13, 1999 issue of the MyMetro employee news digest.

2007:  Presidential candidate Barack Obama makes a campaign stop at Los Angeles’ Union Station.

More information can be found in the December 13, 2007 issue of the MyMetro employee news digest.

2009:  The Metro Silver Line opens.  The 38-mile bus rapid transit line between El Monte and Harbor Gateway / San Pedro via downtown Los Angeles is slated to run every 5 to 15 minutes during rush hour. More information can be found in the December 3, 2009 issue of the My Metro employee news magazine.