Griffith Park in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Pacific Electric Waiting Station
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 6, 2023
1. Pacific Electric Waiting Station Marker
The Pacific Electric was once the largest and most varied interurban railway in North America. Its lines developed growth patterns throughout Southern California that are still evident today.
Before you is a waiting shelter from the Rio Vista Station on the P.E.'s popular Los Angeles to Van Nuys line. This shelter is where passengers would wait for the train, similar to a modern day bus stop. The structure dates from about 1920 and was moved to Travel Town in the 1950s.
The station was refurbished in 2011 by Katy Gneier, Girl Scout Troop 7351, as her Gold Award Project.
photo captions:
Known as the "Big Red Cars" by employees and patrons alike.
The Pacific Electric lines made transportation around Los Angeles easier and can be credited for the horizontal growth of L.A., unlike the vertical growth of New York or Chicago.
Historic photo by Alan Weeks [background photo]
Erected by Metrolink, and Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location. 34° 9.254′ N, 118° 18.538′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles
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: Spirit of the CCC (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Griffith Park Internment Camp (about 400 feet away); Tracks Through Time (about 400 feet away); T-2 Semaphore Signal (about 600 feet away); Four Motor Electric Locomotive (about 800 feet away); Automatic Block Signals (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ollie Johnston Depot (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old North Church (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
Additional keywords. Mariposa Bridge, Mariposa Street Bridge
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 6, 2023
2. Pacific Electric Waiting Station and Marker
Photographed by Alan Weeks, November 1952
3. Pacific Electric Waiting Station - 1952
Rio Vista Station was located on the west side of Vineland Ave a few feet south of Aqua Vista Street in North Hollywood. This photo is on the marker.
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 29, 2024
4. Mariposa Bridge
Nearby equestrian bridge, built in 1939, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 7, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4. submitted on September 29, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
