Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge or Southern Pacific Railroad Bridge is a historic double-tracked arch bridge
located in Torrance, California
USA, spanning Torrance Boulevard at Bow Street, a short distance west of Western Avenue
. It was once part of the north/south Torrance to San Pedro spur line of the Pacific Electric Railway
, that agency's first interurban
line to San Pedro.
After splitting off to the east from the Union Tool Company plant which was once a short distance south of the bridge, the line terminated at a Columbia Steel steel mill
(later United States Steel) by running up and over that railroad's east/west Torrance local line in much the same manner as a viaduct
and is the only part of the PE which crossed itself in such a manner; indeed, the map on the following reference link refers to the bridge as a viaduct. This was due to the area's geography; simply building a spur off of the main line would have resulted in too steep a climb to the steel mill. The steel mill has since been demolished to make way for the national headquarters of American Honda Motor Company
, but the once double-tracked Torrance line was reballasted and rerailed with used welded rail in 2003 and is still in use for local runs by the Union Pacific Railroad
. Gone too are the Pacific Electric's Torrance shops at the western branch of the split, now the site of an industrial park
still serviced by the aforementioned local line.
Designed by Irving Gill
and built in 1913 as part of the original layout of the city as determined by Jared Sidney Torrance
and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.
, the bridge became the city's second entry in the National Register of Historic Places
on July 13, 1989 after Torrance High School
. It is also listed with the California Office of Historic Preservation.
Though trackage, turnouts and remnants of a switch remain on the bridge, it is no longer in use nor has it been for quite some time. There is no chance of the bridge returning to service, since the right-of-way at either end has been redeveloped as evidenced by the satellite photo link below. Nevertheless, the Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge has become a symbol of the city as part of the Torrance Police Department's
logo as of January 1, 2000, only the third such change in the department's history.
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Arch bridge
An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the bridge and its loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either side...
located in Torrance, California
Torrance, California
Torrance is a city incorporated in 1921 and located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. Torrance has of shore-front beaches on the Pacific Ocean, quieter and less well-known by tourists than others on the Santa Monica Bay, such as those of neighboring...
USA, spanning Torrance Boulevard at Bow Street, a short distance west of Western Avenue
Western Avenue (Los Angeles)
Western Avenue is a major four lane street slightly west of Downtown Los Angeles and the center portion of Los Angeles County. Besides Sepulveda Boulevard, it is one of the longest north/south streets in Los Angeles...
. It was once part of the north/south Torrance to San Pedro spur line of the Pacific Electric Railway
Pacific Electric Railway
The Pacific Electric Railway , also known as the Red Car system, was a mass transit system in Southern California using streetcars, light rail, and buses...
, that agency's first interurban
Interurban
An interurban, also called a radial railway in parts of Canada, is a type of electric passenger railroad; in short a hybrid between tram and train. Interurbans enjoyed widespread popularity in the first three decades of the twentieth century in North America. Until the early 1920s, most roads were...
line to San Pedro.
After splitting off to the east from the Union Tool Company plant which was once a short distance south of the bridge, the line terminated at a Columbia Steel steel mill
Steel mill
A steel mill or steelworks is an industrial plant for the manufacture of steel.Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. It is produced in a two-stage process. First, iron ore is reduced or smelted with coke and limestone in a blast furnace, producing molten iron which is either cast into pig iron or...
(later United States Steel) by running up and over that railroad's east/west Torrance local line in much the same manner as a viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
and is the only part of the PE which crossed itself in such a manner; indeed, the map on the following reference link refers to the bridge as a viaduct. This was due to the area's geography; simply building a spur off of the main line would have resulted in too steep a climb to the steel mill. The steel mill has since been demolished to make way for the national headquarters of American Honda Motor Company
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
, but the once double-tracked Torrance line was reballasted and rerailed with used welded rail in 2003 and is still in use for local runs by the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
. Gone too are the Pacific Electric's Torrance shops at the western branch of the split, now the site of an industrial park
Industrial park
An industrial park is an area zoned and planned for the purpose of industrial development...
still serviced by the aforementioned local line.
Designed by Irving Gill
Irving Gill
Irving John Gill , American architect, is considered a pioneer of the modern movement in architecture. He designed several buildings considered examples of San Diego's best architecture.-Biography:...
and built in 1913 as part of the original layout of the city as determined by Jared Sidney Torrance
Jared Sidney Torrance
Jared Sidney Torrance was an American real estate developer, best known as the founder of Torrance in southwest Los Angeles County, California.-Southern California:...
and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.
Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.
Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. was an American landscape architect best known for his wildlife conservation efforts. He had a lifetime commitment to national parks, and worked on projects in Acadia, the Everglades and Yosemite National Park. Olmsted Point in Yosemite and Olmsted Island at Great Falls...
, the bridge became the city's second entry in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on July 13, 1989 after Torrance High School
Torrance High School
Torrance High School is a high school located in Torrance, California. Founded in 1917, it is one of the oldest high schools in continuous use in California and is the oldest of the four high schools in the Torrance Unified School District. Four of its buildings are listed on the U.S...
. It is also listed with the California Office of Historic Preservation.
Though trackage, turnouts and remnants of a switch remain on the bridge, it is no longer in use nor has it been for quite some time. There is no chance of the bridge returning to service, since the right-of-way at either end has been redeveloped as evidenced by the satellite photo link below. Nevertheless, the Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge has become a symbol of the city as part of the Torrance Police Department's
Torrance Police Department
The Torrance Police Department is the police department serving Torrance, California.The department employs 223 sworn officers and 124 civilians. The department is the largest law enforcement agency in South Bay, and is one of the largest police departments in Los Angeles County.Since October 2006,...
logo as of January 1, 2000, only the third such change in the department's history.
See also
- List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in California
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Los Angeles County, California
External links
- Map and satellite view of the bridge at Archiplanet.org
- Modern photos of the bridge including the tracks at Reprise.com
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