Cypress in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

“Big Red Cars”

of the Pacific Electric Railway

Photographed by Michael Kindig, February 19, 2017

1. “Big Red Cars” Marker

Inscription. For more than half a century, the Pacific Electric Railway served Southern California. The system was established by Henry Huntington in 1895 and linked Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties with over 1,000 miles of service and up to 2,700 scheduled trolleys daily. Through the years, the trolleys were painted different colors, but the most famous and symbolic of the era were the “Big Red Cars”. The electric trolley system carried commuters and sightseers through Southern California cities, fruit groves, beach areas, ranchland, and the Spanish Missions.

The “Santa Ana” line (1905-1950) extended before you is one remnant of the vast Pacific Electric System. This portion of the corridor diagonally traverses central Orange County from the Los Angeles County line to Santa Ana. It crosses through the cities of La Palma, Cypress, Buena Park, Anaheim, Stanton, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana. To remember this colorful part of Orange County’s development, this corridor is dedicated to preserving the history of the “Big Red Cars”.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 33° 49.893′ N, 118° 2.112′ W. Marker is in Cypress, California, in Orange

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County. It is on Lincoln Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5592-5610 Lincoln Avenue, Cypress CA 90630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cypress Police Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Challenger Crew (approx. half a mile away); The Freedom Tree (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named “Big Red Cars” (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named “Big Red Cars” (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named “Big Red Cars” (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named “Big Red Cars” (approx. 1.8 miles away); Rivera School (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cypress.

Other markers no longer nearby. “Big Red Cars” (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing); Carson Street Landscaping (was approx. 2.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Michael Kindig, February 19, 2017

2. “Big Red Cars” Marker

Photographed by Michael Kindig, February 19, 2017

3. “Big Red Cars” Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2017, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 551 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 20, 2017, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.