South Pasadena Local facts for kids

Quick facts for kids South Pasadena Local
Pacific Electric passenger rail car no.212 passes over the Daly Street Bridge, c. 1906
Overview
Owner	Southern Pacific Railroad
Locale	Southern California
Termini	Pacific Electric Building South Pasadena
Stations	7
Service
Type	Light rail
System	Pacific Electric
Operator(s)	Pacific Electric
Rolling stock	Birney 300 Class (last used)
History
Opened	1895
Closed	October 17, 1942 (1942-10-17)
Technical
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Old gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Electrification	600 V DC Overhead lines

The South Pasadena Local was a special streetcar line. It was run by the Pacific Electric Railway company. This line connected Downtown Los Angeles with South Pasadena, California. It traveled through an area called the Arroyo Seco. This was one of four different lines that linked these two cities.

What Was the South Pasadena Local?

The South Pasadena Local was a streetcar service. It helped people travel between Los Angeles and South Pasadena. Streetcars are like trains, but they run on tracks built into city streets. This line was important for daily travel in the early 1900s.

Where Did the South Pasadena Local Go?

The South Pasadena Line started at the Pacific Electric Building in downtown Los Angeles. The tracks left the station and went onto city streets. They ran north on Main Street, then east on 1st Street. After that, they went north on Los Angeles Street and east on Aliso Street. This path led to the Los Angeles River.

The line crossed the river and Mission Road using the Aliso Street Viaduct. It then ran east on its own special path. This path is now covered by the San Bernardino Freeway. The line then turned north at Echandia Junction. It crossed Mission Road and went over the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks.

Next, it turned east and followed a private path. This path is now where the Golden State Freeway is. The line reached Daly Street and went back to running on city streets. It continued north on Daly Street and Pasadena Avenue. Then it went northeast on Figueroa Street. It crossed the Arroyo Seco on the Garvanza Viaduct. Finally, it reached Mission Street. The line continued east on Mission Street to its final stop at Fair Oaks Avenue.

How Did the South Pasadena Local Start?

This railway line was first built in 1895. It was called the Pasadena and Los Angeles Railway. At first, it used narrow gauge tracks. These tracks are closer together than standard tracks.

In 1903, the Pacific Electric company bought the line. They rebuilt it to use standard gauge tracks. These tracks are wider apart. After this, another line called the Pasadena Short Line became more important. This made the South Pasadena Local a less busy line.

Changes Over Time

From 1912 to 1923, the South Pasadena Local cars were linked with the Watts Line. This meant a single streetcar could travel on both lines. In 1931, the service changed to "one-man operation." This means only one person was needed to drive the streetcar.

The Watts Line connection started again in 1932. But in early 1935, part of the line was closed. This was the section between General Hospital and South Pasadena. Cars still ran as far as Watts.

By 1938, the linked service was reduced to a short shuttle. It ran between the Hospital and Echandia. This was only about 1,000 feet long! It was the shortest service the railway offered. The shuttle service continued until October 17, 1942, when it was finally stopped.

Important Stops on the Line