Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mount Lowe Scenic Railway

1893 - 1936

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Mount Lowe Scenic Railway Marker

Inscription.
Mt. Lowe Scenic Railway was considered an engineering wonder and southern California's most popular tourist attraction during its heyday, carrying a total of 3.1 million visitors.

8th Wonder of the World
The brainchild of Thaddeus Sobieski Lowe, Mt. Lowe Scenic Railway was one of the most ambitious railways of its era. Designed and built with engineer David J. MacPherson, it earned the title of "the eighth wonder of the world" according to promotional literature of the day.
The mountaintop railway complex included a breathtaking vertical railway trip up Mt Echo and a trolley ride ending at the Alpine Tavern on Mt Lowe. Hotels, a zoo, dance hall, tennis courts, grand pavillion, miniature golf, an observatory, and its own power plant were attractions along the way.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 34° 14.352′ N, 118° 5.623′ W. Marker is in Angeles National Forest, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from Mount Wilson Red Box Road 2.3 miles south of Angeles Crest Highway (California Route 2), on the right when traveling south. Located at Eaton Saddle Trailhead. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Altadena CA 91001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Eaton Saddle (here, next to this marker); Mount Lowe Summit (approx. 0.9 miles away); End of the Line (Alpine Tavern) (approx. 1.3 miles away); Cottages at Alpine Tavern (approx. 1.3 miles away); Ye Alpine Tavern Lobby (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Bungalow (approx. 1.3 miles away); Alpine Tavern (approx. 1.3 miles away); Ye Alpine Tavern (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Angeles National Forest.

More about this marker. An identical marker is located at the Cobb Estate trailhead in Altadena.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Mount Lowe Scenic Railway Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. Mount Lowe Scenic Railway Marker

Incline Railway image. Click for full size.

circa 1915

4. Incline Railway

Alpine Tavern image. Click for full size.

circa 1913

5. Alpine Tavern

Mount Lowe Railway Map image. Click for full size.

from Wikimedia Commons

6. Mount Lowe Railway Map

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 382 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 28, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4, 5. submitted on August 29, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on May 28, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.