Sawtelle Line facts for kids

The Sawtelle Line was a special type of train route. It was an interurban railway, which means it connected cities and towns. This line was run by the Pacific Electric Railway. It traveled between Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California.

History of the Sawtelle Line

The Sawtelle Line was built in different parts. It was first created by the Pasadena and Pacific Railway. The first sections, from Beverly Hills to Santa Monica and Santa Monica to Ocean Park, opened in 1896. Then, the part from 4th and Hill Streets to Beverly Hills opened in 1897. Finally, the section from Ocean Park to Venice was completed in 1901.

In 1908, the entire line was updated. It changed to a "standard gauge" track. This means the distance between the rails became wider, which was common for most trains. Service on the new wider tracks started on May 1st.

The Pacific Electric company took over the line in 1911. This happened during a big event called the "Great Merger." When Pacific Electric started running the line, it went all the way to Venice. For a short time, from May to August 1916, some trains even went as far as Playa del Rey.

In 1926, the Sawtelle Line briefly connected with another line, the Venice Short Line. This created a loop service for about three months. By February 1927, most trips ended in Santa Monica. Some trains also went to the Ocean Park car house, which was like a garage for the train cars. The most people ever rode the Sawtelle Line in 1929. Over 2.6 million trips were made that year!

The Sawtelle Line almost stopped running after July 7, 1940. Pacific Electric only ran one train a day to keep its operating rights. The line was completely closed down on November 18, 1940.

What Was the Sawtelle Line Route Like?

The Sawtelle Line started by following another route, the Venice Short Line. This was true until they reached a spot called Vineyard Junction. At Vineyard Junction, the Sawtelle Line turned northwest.

The tracks then went up onto a raised area. This allowed them to go over Pico Boulevard. After that, the tracks ran on their own special path. This path was in the middle of San Vicente Boulevard.

The tracks continued northwest along San Vicente Boulevard. They crossed big streets like La Brea, Hauser, Olympic, Fairfax, Wilshire, and La Cienega Boulevards. Just west of La Cienega, they reached Sherman Junction. Here, another line branched off to Sherman (West Hollywood).

From Sherman Junction, the Sawtelle Line turned west. It went onto another special path in the middle of Burton Way. The tracks crossed Robertson Boulevard and Doheny Drive. They also went through some streets in downtown Beverly Hills. Finally, they reached the Beverly Hills Station. This station was near Santa Monica Boulevard and Beverly Drive.

At the Beverly Hills Station, the Sawtelle Line joined the Hollywood–Venice Line. Both lines then followed the exact same path. They continued together all the way to their shared end point at Woodward Avenue in Venice.

This line was one of four routes from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica. It was special because it did not go through Hollywood. It was also the shortest way to get to Santa Monica.

Major Stops Along the Sawtelle Line

The first Beverly Hills station, around 1915–1920

The former Ocean Park car barn

Images for kids

• 

  A streetcar running along Santa Monica Boulevard in Sawtelle around 1901, before Pacific Electric took over the line.