Lamanda Park Line Explained

Lamanda Park
Type:Streetcar
System:Pacific Electric
Locale:Southern California
Start:Downtown Pasadena, California
End:Lamanda Park, Pasadena, California
Stations:3 (plus additional stops)
Owner:Colorado Street Railway (1886–1894)
Pasadena and Los Angeles Electric Railway (1894–1902)
Pasadena Electric (1902–1911)
Southern Pacific Railroad (1911–1941)
Operator:Pacific Electric (1911–1941)
Stock:Birney 300 Class (last used)

The Lamanda Park Line, also known as the Colorado Street Line, was a local streetcar line in Pasadena, California. For most of its operational history, Pacific Electric Railway streetcars ran over the line with service ending in 1941.

History

The original horsecar line was established by the Colorado Street Railway on November 9, 1886.[1] Along with other Pasadena horsecar lines, it was purchased by the Pasadena and Los Angeles Electric Railway in 1894 and electrified. Pasadena Electric succeeded the Pasadena and Los Angeles in 1902 and was converted to standard gauge the following year.[2] The line was extended from Hill Avenue to Lamanda Park on March 1, 1904.[3] [4]

The Pasadena Electric was absorbed into the Pacific Electric in 1911 under terms of the Great Merger. In March 1936, the tracks east of Lamanda Park Junction were abandoned. The final local car ran over the line early in the morning of January 19, 1941, but a portion of the route would continue to see Pasadena via Oak Knoll Line trains until 1950.[5] The service was sold to Pasadena City Lines, a subsidiary of National City Lines, which ran buses over the route.

Route

The line operated on Colorado Boulevard between Daisy Avenue and the Pasadena Pacific Electric station on Fair Oaks Drive. Services throughout the line's life were through routed to other Pasadena local lines or terminated in Downtown Pasadena. Running along the route of the Tournament of Roses Parade caused annual operational issues on New Year's Day, usually resulting in rail replacement bus services.

List of major stops

StationMajor connectionsDate openedDate closedCity
PasadenaEast California, East Orange Grove, East Washington, Lincoln, Mount Lowe, North Fair Oaks, North Lake, Pasadena Short Line, Pasadena via Oak Knoll, South Pasadena Local, West California, West Colorado and Orange Grove18951951Pasadena
Lamanda Park JunctionSierra Madre19021941
Lamanda Park19021936

Notes and References

  1. News: Our Neighbors . 15 February 2022 . Los Angeles Times . Newspapers.com . November 10, 1886 . 2.
  2. Web site: Pasadena Local Lines . Electric Railway Historical Association of Southern California . 14 January 2021.
  3. News: The Pacific Electric Railway... . 12 December 2022 . Press-Telegram . Newspapers.com . 16 January 1903 . 5.
  4. News: Briefs of news . 12 December 2022 . The Los Angeles Times . Newspapers.com . 1 March 1904 . 19.
  5. News: New Bus Lines Start Today . 7 December 2023 . The Pasadena Post . Newspapers.com . January 19, 1941 . Pasadena, California . 15.