Sunset Boulevard Shoo-Fly

Robert T. McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection
Robert T. McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection

A shoo-fly is being built on Sunset Boulevard in preparation for a bridge to be built to enable the 110 Freeway to connect with the Pasadena Freeway. A Pacific Electric 100-Class car (most likely an Echo Park car) can been seen heading westbound on Sunset with a Hollywood car following a half-block behind.

Robert T. McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection

From Norm Suydam, image and collection owner, on this image:

This is Sunset Blvd just north of downtown looking towards Union Station as can be referenced by the large natural gas storage tanks in the distance. The closest car here is a double-truck Birney probably on the Echo Park Line and a Hollywood car is seen in the distance. I believe that this location is where they are building the Pasadena Freeway just north of the 4-level interchange. The freeway will pass under Sunset so there is a wide detour for Sunset Blvd’s autos and the PE to allow for the construction of a bridge. Once complete, the cars and PE will return to the original alignment of Sunset Blvd. A historical aerial photo of LA in 1948 shows this bridge completed but the freeway still under construction so I guess this photo was taken in 1947 or early ’48.

966 at Culver Junction

Robert T McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection
Robert T McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection

Pacific Electric car no. 966 is packed with passengers (likely railfans) in this undated image from Culver Junction in Culver City. The Ivy Substation can be seen in the upper right hand corner of the image.

Robert T McVay Photo, Norm Suydam Collection

5150 at Hawthorn and Poinsettia

Frank Thompson Photo, Ralph Cantos Collection
Frank Thompson Photo, Ralph Cantos Collection

Pacific Electric no. 5150 is captured at Hawthorn and Poinsettia Avenues in Hollywood in 1952.

Modified based on comment

Frank Thompson Photo, Ralph Cantos Collection

Daily Balloon Route Excursion Brochure (1910)

Mount Lowe Preservation Society Collection

This circa 1910 brochure measures 3.5″ by 7″ and is a single fold, gifted by the late Vic McVey (McVey Hardware Store, Temple City) as part of his entire collection donated to the Mount Lowe Preservation Society.

Charles Pierce’s Daily Balloon Route Excursion boasted the tour of a lifetime; 70 miles in 7 hours, 10 beaches, 8 cities and 28 miles along the surf! From Los Angeles one could see Hollywood, Sherman, Morocco, Sawtelle, the Soldier’s Home, Port Los Angeles (then in Santa Monica Bay), Santa Monica, Ocean Park, Venice, Playa Del Rey, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Moonstone Beach (just south of the Redondo Beach Pier), and the town of Redondo Beach.

The trolley cars left from 316 West 4th Street (between Broadway and Hill) at 9:40 a.m. and stopped for lunch at the Grand Auditorium in Playa Del Ray along the lagoon, where Pierce was also the manager! Endorsed by thousands as “The Best $1.00 Trip in the World!” according to the brochure. On the back of the brochure is the map which shows the vague balloon shaped route map which gave the Los Angeles & Pacific Railway Company the reason for the name, later taken over and endorsed by the Pacific Electric Railway. Passengers were back in Los Angeles in time for 5:00 dinner.

Mount Lowe Preservation Society Collection
Mount Lowe Preservation Society Collection
Mount Lowe Preservation Society Collection
Mount Lowe Preservation Society Collection

Charles Merritt (C. M.) Pierce and the Los Angeles Pacific Balloon Route Excursion

Charles Merritt Pierce, Mount Lowe Preservation Society Collection
Charles Merritt Pierce, Mount Lowe Preservation Society Collection

A classic image of Charles Merritt (C. M.) Pierce, famed operator of the Los Angeles Pacific Balloon Route Excursion. This image comes from a broadside donated by Bobby McDearmon to the Mount Lowe Preservation Society (parent of Pacific Electric Railway Historical Society). The broadside is undergoing conservation now and will be available for research and viewing shortly.

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5154 at North Hollywood Station

Alan Weeks Photo, Alan Weeks Collection
Alan Weeks Photo, Alan Weeks Collection

Pacific Electric car no. 5154 pauses at North Hollywood Station on the Van Nuys Line. The date is November 20, 1952. Learn more about this photo and its photographer Alan Weeks by clicking here.

Alan Weeks Photo, Alan Weeks Collection

5097 at Van Nuys Boulevard

Alan Weeks Photo, Alan Weeks Collection
Alan Weeks Photo, Alan Weeks Collection

Pacific Electric car no. 5097 is captured at Van Nuys Boulevard and Sherman Way in this June 3, 1951 image. Learn more about this photo and its photographer Alan Weeks by clicking here.

Alan Weeks Photo, Alan Weeks Collection

5132 at Tujunga Wash

Alan Weeks Photo, Alan Weeks Collection
Alan Weeks Photo, Alan Weeks Collection

Pacific Electric car no. 5132 rumbles eastbound at Tujunga Wash on September 27, 1952. Learn more about this photo and its photographer Alan Weeks by clicking here.

Modified based on comment

Alan Weeks Photo, Alan Weeks Collection

5154 and 5127 at North Hollywood Station

Alan Weeks Photo, Alan Weeks Collection
Alan Weeks Photo, Alan Weeks Collection

Pacific Electric cars nos. 5154 and 5127 idle at North Hollywood station, looking east, on November 15, 1952. Learn more about this photo and its photographer Alan Weeks by clicking here.

Alan Weeks Photo, Alan Weeks Collection