Anaheim 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° 49.005′ N, 118° 0.66′ W. Marker is in Anaheim, California, in Orange

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County. It is on Knott Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 980 Knott Avenue, Anaheim CA 92804, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named “Big Red Cars” (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named “Big Red Cars” (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. 1.7 miles away); Cypress Police Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Freedom Tree (approx. 1.8 miles away); Challenger Crew (approx. 1.8 miles away); School House (approx. 1.9 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. “Big Red Cars” (was approx. 1.2 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

Paciﬁc Electric Railway (looking SE) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, February 19, 2017

4. Paciﬁc Electric Railway (looking SE)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2017, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 706 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 20, 2017, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.