[Flyingwedge]

Originally Posted by tovangar2

Sarah Bixby Smith gives some hints as to the routes of the early cars in Chapter XI, Adobe Days, 1931:

"In those days [the 1870s] two streetcar lines meandered, the one way out to Agricultural Park (Exposition), a large bare space with a few old eucalyptus trees, and the grand stand beside the race track; the other south on Spring to Fifth, up Fifth to Olive and around the corner of the park to Sixth, and then up to Pearl, the name of Figueroa Street, north of Pico, where the bend is. Each line boasted two cars so that simultaneous trips in opposite directions were possible. The cars were very small and drawn by mules; there was no separate conductor; we put our tickets - bought at the neighborhood drug store - into a glass box near the door. It is told on the Main Street line [to Agricultural Park] it was the custom for the driver on late trips to stop the car, wind the reins around the brake handles, and escort lone lady passengers to their front doors."


I hope this helps someone to identify the location. I do not recognize the buildings as being on Pershing Square. Perhaps the empty, fenced space is Agricultural Park?


P.S.

More from Nathan Masters: http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_fo...t-suburbs.html

and

"In Los Angeles, the Spring and Sixth Street Railway began operating horse drawn streetcars July 1, 1874, created by Robert M. Widney, a real estate promoter. Its route was from the Plaza on Main to Spring to 1st to Fort (Broadway) to 4th to Hill to 6th to Pearl (Figueroa). The single track, narrow gauge railway opened for service with one car. Its barn was at the corner of 6th & Figueroa. Business was good, a second car was soon in service. In November 1874 the line was extended to what is now N. Spring and Alameda, on March 1876 it was extended to East Los Angeles (now Lincoln Heights) via San Fernando St. (N. Spring) and Downey Ave. (N. Broadway) to Gates St. By August 1878 a line was completed via the Plaza, Olvera, Macy, Alameda to San Fernando St.

The Main Street & Agricultural Park Street Railroad was chartered by bankers John G. Downey, Ozro W. Childs, John Griffin, F.P.F. Temple, William Brodrick, Isaias W. Hellman and William Workman. The initial portion of the line opened with two cars in July 1875. Tracks were extended to Agricultural Park via Washington, Pearl (Figueroa), and Santa Monica Avenue (Exposition Blvd.) the following summer."
http://www.railswest.com/citystreetrailways.html

Hey thanks! I haven't found where that photo was taken yet, but I'm still looking.