Skip to content
Metro Transportation Research Library and Archive: Click to return to homepage
  • About
    • About Us
    • News and Updates
    • Our Primary Resources in Action
    • Policies
  • Daily Headlines
  • LA Transportation History
    • Past Visions: 1920s
    • Past Visions: 1930s
    • Past Visions: 1940s
    • Historic Traffic Plans: 1911-1957
    • Archive
      • Online Archive of California
      • Search Digitized Material
        • Search California Highways and Public Works Magazine: 1924-1967
        • Search CEO Briefs & Every Voice Counts 2005-present
        • Search Electric Railway Journal 1884-1931
        • Search Employee News Magazines: 1918-2009
        • Search Metro Library’s Digitized Documents
        • Search Metro’s Board Records 1993-2015 and its Predecessors Meeting Minutes 1951-1993
        • Search Metro Board Correspondence/Board Box 1993-present
        • Search Los Angeles Metro Press Releases 1993 – Present
  • Resources to Know
    • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
    • Transportation Data and Related Resources
    • Databases and eBooks
    • Environmental Studies
    • Metro Library Knowledge Hub
    • Search the Library Catalog
  • About
    • About Us
    • News and Updates
    • Our Primary Resources in Action
    • Policies
  • Daily Headlines
  • LA Transportation History
    • Past Visions: 1920s
    • Past Visions: 1930s
    • Past Visions: 1940s
    • Historic Traffic Plans: 1911-1957
    • Archive
      • Online Archive of California
      • Search Digitized Material
        • Search California Highways and Public Works Magazine: 1924-1967
        • Search CEO Briefs & Every Voice Counts 2005-present
        • Search Electric Railway Journal 1884-1931
        • Search Employee News Magazines: 1918-2009
        • Search Metro Library’s Digitized Documents
        • Search Metro’s Board Records 1993-2015 and its Predecessors Meeting Minutes 1951-1993
        • Search Metro Board Correspondence/Board Box 1993-present
        • Search Los Angeles Metro Press Releases 1993 – Present
  • Resources to Know
    • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
    • Transportation Data and Related Resources
    • Databases and eBooks
    • Environmental Studies
    • Metro Library Knowledge Hub
    • Search the Library Catalog

February 23: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

  • Written by Kenn Bicknell

1888:  The city of Monrovia begins operating its first street railway transportation.

The mule-powered Myrtle and Ivy Avenue Line continues operation until 1896, when it is sold to L. Barnes and operated until 1917 when it became part of Pacific Electric Railway.

The 1.5-mile line went from the Santa Fe depot on South Myrtle Avenue north to Lemon Avenue and east to California Street.

More information can be found in the May 10, 1929 issue of Pacific Electric Magazine.

1973:  Southern California Rapid Transit District staff deliver a report on “Alternate Fuels for Automobiles, Light Trucks and Minibuses”

The report recommends that all future purchases of automobiles and light trucks be specially equipped to utilize gasoline in a low emission engine package.

It is further recommended that the current order of Minibuses be equipped to utilize propane as the fuel source.

More information can be found in the Alternate Fuels for Automobiles, Light Trucks, and Minibuses staff report.

2006:  Tunneling begins on Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension.

Two tunnel boring machines start boring through 1.7 miles of earth between Union Station and Boyle Heights.

Narrow streets in the area make tunnels a requirement for this section of the Gold Line, rather than street-level rail.

We have put hundreds of photographs online which document Gold Line Eastside Extension construction.

In addition to tunneling and tunnel boring machinery, they include underground photos, rail cars, trackwork, street preparation, deck work, signage and aerial photographs.

More information can be found in the February 24, 2006 MyMetro employee news digest

2018:  Metro breaks ground on Phase Two of the Purple Line subway along Wilshire Boulevard.

Local, state, and federal officials join Metro for the project’s groundbreaking which will add 2.6-miles of new subway service to downtown Beverly Hills and Century City.

More information can be found in the February 23, 2018 post on Metro’s The Source.

  • Last Updated June 3, 2024

Metro's Primary Resources

Part of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Facebook-f Flickr Threads Youtube Envelope

Quick Links

  • Transportation Data and Related Resources
  • Environmental Studies
  • Knowledge Hub
  • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
  • Visit metro.net
  • Transportation Data and Related Resources
  • Environmental Studies
  • Knowledge Hub
  • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
  • Visit metro.net

Contact Us

1 Gateway Plaza, 15th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012

  • Email: library@metro.net
  • Employee Hours: 10AM to 4PM, Monday through Thursday
  • General Public: Open by Appointment
Vintage transit poster that reads Rail Rapid Transit now! Contains image of speeding red rail car to convey urgency.

Copyright © 2025 Metro

 

Loading Comments...