Long Wharf Historical Marker

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

This is the closest railfan shot to my home (if you even consider it a railfan shot) that I have posted yet, the historical marker for the Southern Pacific’s Long Wharf (which was actually a bit east southeast of this spot).

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=288540&nseq=0

For my railfan son and I, this is the only chance in Santa Monica to still say, “Let’s ride our bikes to the train tracks…”

2

Now that’s what you call a shortline!

3

Any photos of the original project?

4

My first impression was one of sadness.

But to me - that is what I think makes a great shot. My first view of a photograph must get a response, otherwise it is just another photograph.

5

[:)] Charles great photo As Always yopu take the best and and out of the way photos. LARRY

6

Thank you for the kind responses everyone.

Per Ed’s request, here are some images I found on the web of what it used to look like (although the exact location was slightly east-southeast).

I hope these links work –

http://beachhouse.smgov.net/beachstories/2.html

scroll down on the first one (above) the ones below should just be images

http://www.oceanpark.ws/Long%20Wharf%20Port%20of%20LA%201910

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics22/00030632.jpg

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics22/00030630.jpg

Charles Freeicks

7

Ok,

Now I am with Mookie…sadness.

All of that, so alive and interesting, all gone, with nothing left but a few feet of track and a plaque on a rock…

If it had survived, I would love to see the Gables today…

8

When my son and I ride our bikes up and down that bike path, I often tell him about the railroad we are following.

We also ride our bikes along the old California Southern (Santa Fe) line into Santa Monica and the Venice Short Line into Santa Monica. Once you realize where all three railroads were, the layout of the streets and buildings that took their place all makes sense, as it is actually all built in a very obvioulsy railroad kind of way (the ROW rises and the junctions are all at the proper angles).

Also, where buildings have been built in the ROW, they are olddly thinner and a good fifty years newer than those around them.

Kind of strange that a town that was really built because of the railroads and that was very much a railroad town for a long time, is now left with about two feet of track.