Los Angeles and Mount Washington Railway facts for kids
The Los Angeles and Mount Washington Railway Company was a special kind of train. It was an incline railway, which means it ran up and down a steep hill. This railway operated in the early 1900s in Mount Washington and Highland Park. These areas are north of Downtown Los Angeles in a part of the city called Northeast LA.
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A Special Hillside Railway
This unique railway was inspired by another famous one, Angels Flight, in Downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles and Mount Washington Railway started running in May 1909. Its main goal was to help people discover and move to the new hillside neighborhoods. A developer named Robert Marsh built it.
How the Railway Worked
The "L.A. & Mt. Washington Ry. Co." used two trolley-style cars. These cars were powered by electricity. They were also balanced, meaning as one car went up, the other went down. An underground steel cable loop connected them. This cable ran along Avenue 43, which was just a dirt road back then. The railway took passengers all the way to Marsh's Mount Washington Hotel. This hotel was at the top of the hill, about 940 feet high.
The Ride and Its Views
The rail cars moved at a speed of 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h). At the top, visitors could enjoy amazing views. They could see the San Gabriel Mountains to the east. To the west, they could see all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The ride became very popular, especially on weekends. It even ran until midnight!
Why the Railway Closed
After about ten years, the railway's equipment started to wear out. People also began to worry about how safe it was. Because of these concerns, the railway closed down for good in 1919. By 1930, Avenue 43 had been paved. It became a regular street for cars. The old railway tracks and equipment were removed long ago.
Historic Buildings Remain
Even though the railway is gone, some important buildings from its time are still standing today.
The Mount Washington Hotel
The Mount Washington Hotel is one of these buildings. In 1925, the Self-Realization Fellowship bought the hotel. It is still used by them today. The City of Los Angeles recognized its importance. On August 16, 2006, they declared it Historic Monument #845.
The Base Station
The building where the railway started, called the base station, is also still there. You can find it at 200 W Avenue 43, Los Angeles, CA 90065. This old cable car station looks out over the Metro A Line. It's just south of the Southwest Museum stop in Highland Park. The base station on Avenue 43 was also declared a Historic Monument. It became Historic Monument #269 in 1983.
References
- Yates, Morgan P. Railcar With a View, Westways magazine, July/August 2005
