Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pacific Electric Railway- El Prado Bridge
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 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
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| Location | Torrance Boulevard and Bow Street Torrance, California |
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| Built | 1913 |
| Architect | Irving Gill Pacific Electric Railway |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement Other |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000854 |
| Added to NRHP | July 13, 1989 |
The Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge is a historic bridge located in Torrance, California. It stretches over Torrance Boulevard at Bow Street. This bridge was once an important part of the Pacific Electric Railway. This railway was a big system of electric trains. It connected many cities across Southern California.
A Bridge with History
This bridge was part of the first electric train line. It ran from Torrance all the way to San Pedro. The line was built to help trains reach a large steel mill. This mill was located near the bridge.
Why Was It Built?
The area around the mill had tricky hills. If the train line just went straight, it would have been too steep. So, the engineers built the bridge. It allowed trains to go over another local train line. This made it easier for trains to reach the steel mill. It was the only place on the Pacific Electric system where one line crossed over itself like this.
The steel mill is no longer there today. The national headquarters for American Honda Motor Company now stands in its place. However, part of the original Torrance train line is still used. The Union Pacific Railroad uses it for local train runs.
Designed by a Famous Architect
The bridge was designed by Irving Gill, a well-known architect. It was built in 1913. This was when the city of Torrance was first being planned. The city's layout was created by Jared Sidney Torrance and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr..
The Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 13, 1989. This means it is recognized as a special historical site. It was the second place in Torrance to get this honor. Torrance High School was the first.
A City Symbol
Even though parts of the tracks are still on the bridge, it is not used anymore. It has not carried trains for a long time. The areas where the tracks used to connect have changed. So, trains cannot use the bridge again.
However, the bridge remains a symbol for Torrance. Since 2000, it has been part of the Torrance Police Department's logo. This shows how important the bridge is to the city's identity.
