Lincoln Heights in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Soto Street Tunnel
Pacific Electric Pasadena Short Line
courtesy El Sereno Historical Society, 2023
1. Soto Street Tunnel Marker
The Soto Street tunnel served an important purpose in the early 1900s. It provided much needed protection from the dangers of the nearby Pacific Electric Pasadena Short Line (PE). The PE was a highly used line with many red cars traversing to and from Pasadena/Los Angeles. The tunnel was built in 1906 and was continually used until around 1938. The PE ferried people from all over Los Angeles to this location because of the many unique attractions in the vicinity; Legion Ascot Speedway (El Sereno), the Eastlake Park (today Lincoln Park), the historic Selig Zoo (located adjacent to Lincoln Park), and the Indian Village.
El Sereno's Legion Ascot Speedway was a very popular attraction from 1924 to 1936. This tunnel provided a safe path for pedestrians to cross back and forth from the nearby attractions to the Legion Ascot Speedway. Thus, this tunnel played a very critical role in pedestrian safety as well as for the maintenance access for the Pacific Light and Power Corp.
City of Los Angeles, Council District 14 - Kevin de Leon, Councilmember. Soto Street Bridge Project over Valley Blvd & UPRR Widening and Rehabilitation Project, completed in 2022.
Erected 2023
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 34° 3.936′ N, 118° 11.797′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Lincoln Heights. It is on Soto Street just north of Valley Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1845 N Soto St, Los Angeles CA 90032, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Emiliano Zapata (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ascot History (approx. 0.6 miles away); El Sereno (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ascot Reservoir: 1910 - present
courtesy El Sereno Historical Society, 2023
2. Marker Installation
Also see . . . El Sereno Historical Society. (Submitted on January 26, 2023.)
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 26, 2023
3. Soto Street Tunnel Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 26, 2023
4. Soto Street Tunnel Marker
Visible below center of photo.
courtesy El Sereno Historical Society
5. Soto Street Tunnel
Located behind the marker, it is now buried under a parking lot and no longer visible.
courtesy L.A. Public Library
6. Soto Street Tunnel
Aerial view of tunnel from Lincoln Park (then: Eastlake Park) ca. 1927, looking east. The west tunnel entrance is circled in red.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 572 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 26, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4. submitted on March 29, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6. submitted on January 26, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
