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September 11: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

  • Written by Kenn Bicknell

1886:  The Los Angeles Electric Railway Company is incorporated with capital stock of $300,000.

 

1906:  Los Angeles begins overnight “Owl Service.”

Owl Service brochure from February 15, 1947.
Owl Service brochure from February 15, 1947.

According to the September 11, 1906 edition of the Los Angeles Examiner newspaper, in a brief article entitled “Owl Cars Are Run On Principal Lines,”:

“The “owl” car service began last night.  Cars on the principal lines left First and Spring Streets at 1 and 2 o’clock.  They were well patronized.  The lines included are Boyle Heights, Grand Avenue, Vernon Avenue, University, Main Street, and Pico Heights.”

Well-patronized streetcars on principal lines left 1st and Spring Streets at 1:00a.m. and 2:00 a.m.

The lines included Boyle Heights, Grand Avenue, Vernon Avenue, University Avenue, Main Street and Pico Heights.

Owl service remains in service in Los Angeles to this day.

More information about the history of “owl service” can be found in this Primary Resources post.

  • Last Updated June 3, 2024

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