March 10: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

Written by Kenn Bicknell

1902: The Los Angeles & Pasadena Electric Railway Company is deeded to the Pacific Electric Railway Company.

Prior to this event, in 1894, the railway (also known as the Pasadena & Los Angeles Electric Railway) had purchased all Pasadena street railway companies.

On May 1, 1895, Southern California’s first interurban line opens.

It ran from 4th & Spring Streets in downtown Los Angeles to Fair Oaks & Chestnut Streets in Pasadena.

It later becomes the forebearer of both the Los Angeles-Pacific and the original Pacific Electric Railway.

However, its circuitous route is later superceded by the Pasadena Short Line, and it degenerates into a streetcar line terminating at South Pasadena.

The new “Short Line” opens on July 4, 1902.

2008: The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and KOAR Development Group celebrate a major construction milestone for the Solair joint development at the Wilshire/Western Metro Purple Line Station in Koreatown.