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

Casino, Tennis Courts, Power Plants, and Car Barn

Mount Lowe Railway

— Circa 1901 —

Casino, Tennis Courts, Power Plants, and Car Barn Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Casino, Tennis Courts, Power Plants, and Car Barn Marker

Inscription.
This photograph was taken from the Castle Canyon trail which is to your left leading into Castle Canyon. The Casino building was in the area behind this sign to your right. The Casino was used for meetings, banquets, and dances. It was not a gambling establishment. Next to the Casino are the Tennis Courts. From where you are standing the Casino would be to your right and tennis courts to the left down the cement stairs. In the area directly behind you would be the Power Plants and Car Barn. The buildings in this photograph were destroyed by a fire during a windstorm in 1905.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 34° 12.722′ N, 118° 7.289′ W. Marker is in Angeles National Forest, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from Mount Lowe Railway Trail south of Sam Merrill Trail. Hike three miles up the steep trail with a 1,500-foot altitude gain from the Cobb Estate trailhead. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Altadena CA

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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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Echo Mtn Service Pit (a few steps from this marker); Mount Lowe Power Plants (a few steps from this marker); End of the Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Caretaker’s Cottage and Cable House (within shouting distance of this marker); New Line to Alpine Tavern (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mount Lowe Railway (about 400 feet away); Forces of Nature (about 400 feet away); Echo Mountain House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Angeles National Forest.

Regarding Casino, Tennis Courts, Power Plants, and Car Barn. During the early 1900’s, tourists could take

Vandal-Proof Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Vandal-Proof Marker

the Pacific Electric trolley from Los Angeles to Rubio Canyon, then take the Incline Railway to the top of Echo Mountain, and then take another electric trolly to the Alpine Tavern hotel, all for one dollar round-trip. The hotel burned down in 1936, and was not rebuilt due to the Great Depression.

On January 6, 1993, the Mount Lowe Railway was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. Casino, Tennis Courts, Power Plants, and Car Barn Marker

Marker is in the distance, on the left side of the trail.

Power Plants - circa 1900 image. Click for full size.

courtesy Mt Lowe Preservation Society

4. Power Plants - circa 1900

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 270 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on June 14, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on June 16, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.