THE RED CAR - CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF VAN NUYS - 100 YEARS OF SAN FERNANDO

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY               2011

The great old "Red Car" system (the Pacific Electric Railway) tied the San Fernando Valley to other cities in greater Los Angeles.

 Detail of Red Car Map - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011. (click on image to enlarge) 

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY FORMS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Pacific Electric Railroad "Red Car" - Photograph - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 - Gift of Gary Fredburg (click on image to enlarge)
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is seeking community members for our Public Transportation Committee. If you have a friend, of if you care about Valley railroad, Red Car, buses, freeways, streets or subways, --- please contact The Museum to have your name included in our Public Transportation Committee meetings.
1 (818) 347-9665

Pacific Electric Railroad "Red Car" - Photograph - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 - Gift of Gary Fredburg (click on image to enlarge)
While it appears at first glance that the Red Car in this photograph is heading for the City of San Fernando, under a magnifying glass the sign has a smaller "Valley" accompanying the destination sign.

Pacific Electric Railroad "Red Car" - Photograph - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 - Gift of Gary Fredburg (click on image to enlarge)
Identifying the location where historic photographs were taken is an on-going Museum challenge. This image was easy, since there is a street marker saying Ethel Avenue.

HENRY E. HUNTINGTON BROUGHT TROLLEY TRANSPORTATION TO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Henry E. Huntington - Gift of Gary Fredburg 2008 - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

Henry E. Huntington began the Pacific Electric Railway in 1902. Huntington's fabulous art collection, gardens and financial endowment gave the Huntington Library and art galleries to Southern California.

Cahuenga Pass in 1911 - Gift of Gary Fredburg 2008 - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

In 1911, the Pacific Electric Railway (the famous "Red Cars of Los Angeles") was sold to the Southern Pacific Railroad. In the above image, the Red Car system is seen expanding into the San Fernando Valley from Hollywood.

Your Museum collects and preserves artifacts and information about California transportation. The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

THE CHANDLER AVENUE STORY

(click on image to enlarge)
Chandler Avenue was once planned to be part of a main Valley artery called Sherman Way. It was named after the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, Harry Chandler.
Harry dropped out of Dartmouth College and came to Southern California supposedly for his health. He worked in the San Fernando Valley's fruit orchards until he put together a small business delivering morning newspapers. Harry cleverly cornered the distribution of the city's morning newspapers and used that leverage to gain the general manager's position of the Los Angeles Times. Chandler used his money and power to gain large partials in the San Fernando Valley and became one of America's richest men.
Harry Chandler lived from 1864 to 1944. He is buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

RED CAR MEMORIES

Complete Pacific Electric Railway Company San Fernando Valley Transfer book - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg - 2008
The "Red Cars" were once so much a part of life in the San Fernando Valley, that they are still part of the romantic memory of our city. Transportation and Transportation history is a major interest of your Museum.

THANKS for the outstanding Board Meeting on February 27th at the Lankershim Arts Center.