Downtown Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Angels Flight
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, June 1, 2010
1. Angels Flight Marker
Built in 1901 by Colonel J. W. Eddy, lawyer, engineer, and friend of President Lincoln, Angel's Flight is said to be the world's shortest incorporated railway. The counterbalanced cars, controlled by cables, travel a 33 percent grade for 315 feet. It is estimated that Angel's Flight has carried more passengers per mile than any other railway in the world, over a hundred million in its first fifty years. This incline railway is a public utility operating under a franchise granted by the city of Los Angeles.
Erected 1952 by Native Daughters of the Golden West.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location. 34° 3.095′ N, 118° 15.033′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. It is on Grand Avenue north of 4th Street, on the right when traveling north. Located on the upper level of the California Plaza shopping center,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Angels Flight Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Angels Flight (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Million Dollar Theatre/Grand Central Market (about 700 feet away); Irvine-Byrne Building (about 800 feet away); Bradbury Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bunker Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Biddy Mason (approx. 0.2 miles away); Judson Rives Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
Regarding Angels Flight. Angels
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, June 1, 2010
2. Angels Flight Marker
The plaque is located at the top of the flight near the ticket station. It has a mistake The correct spelling is without an apostrophe.
Cost is still 25 cents to ride one way and 25 cents back down. Update: After safety improvements were completed in 2017, Angels Flight reopened, with a cost of $1.00 each way.
Also see . . .
1. Angels Flight. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Registry of Historic Places Registration Form (Submitted on May 21, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Official Website. Includes current operating hours, a little history, and a 1965 film of Angels Flight in its original location. (Submitted on July 14, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
3. Angels Flight. Historic American Buildings Survey record, includes 5 photos and supplemental data. (Submitted on July 14, 2018.)
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, June 1, 2010
3. Angels Flight Rail Car
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, June 1, 2010
4. Angels Flight Rail Car
Sandra Hughes Collection
5. My Grandfather's Post Card of Angels Flight from the early 1920's
Photographed by Mandy Kirby, September 1, 2018
6. Angels Flight
Photographed by Denise Boose, October 11, 2014
7. Angels Flight
Photographed by Denise Boose, October 11, 2014
8. Angels Flight
Photographed by Denise Boose, October 11, 2014
9. Angels Flight
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2010. This page has been viewed 4,818 times since then and 81 times this year. Last updated on November 14, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on March 8, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 30, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 5. submitted on July 2, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 6. submitted on October 26, 2018, by Mandy Kirby of Clovis, California. 7, 8, 9. submitted on February 7, 2016, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
