LARHF featured in the LA Times

Read the new LA Times article "A tour of L.A.'s rich rail history".

Belmont Station Mini-Museum to Open

What used to be the Pacific Electric Toluca Yard, in downtown Los Angeles, has been transformed into 275 rental apartments. The PE Subway Terminal tunnel portal and sub-station generator building are unique sights on the Belmont Station’s apartment property.

Belmont Station Apartments in construction located on 2nd Street at Glendale Avenue.

LARHF has been invited to create a mini-museum in Belmont Station’s Rental and Welcoming Center. This will entail over 40 archive photographs detailing the construction of the PE subway as well as the Terminal building and the area along the route of the PE cars that operated out of the Terminal.

A majority of the photographs to be displayed have not been seen by the general public before. LARHF in an alliance with the Huntington Library has been given access to the Huntington’s incredible collection of Pacific Electric and Los Angeles Railway photographs.

Pacific Electric – Future Toluca Yard showing construction preparations for the boring of the subway’s west portal, 1924.
Photo from the Henry E. Huntington Library

LARHF’s archivists and curator have spent many hours in the Huntington photographic vaults viewing this collection and selecting a number of photographs to be reproduced and displayed at the Belmont Station Apartments.

Opening Day Ceremony and first Pacific Electric car to run through the tunnel.
Photo from the Henry E. Huntington Library

Pacific Electric ephemera and artifacts will accompany the photographs.

The display will be open to the public and special interest groups desiring to visit the mini-museum.

Further details to follow.

Vroman’s Bookstore Signing – February 28, 2009

Vroman’s Bookstore is located on Colorado Blvd. in Old Town Pasadena, less than a mile from where Santa Fe Chiefs once crossed this early stretch of Route 66. What better setting is there for Elrond Lawrence, author and photographer of Route 66 Railway? Elrond will be signing copies of his critically-acclaimed book at Vroman’s on Saturday, February 28th, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

One of the last great independent bookstores, Vroman’s was founded in 1894 by Adam Clark Vroman, a famed book collector and passionate photographer of the American West. Following in his footsteps, Elrond Lawrence has used his camera lens to document California and the Southwest. His articles and photography have appeared in magazines, books and calendars. To accompany this event, a beautiful 1941 Ford Woody station wagon owned by Jim Partridge will be on display.

Vroman’s is located at 695 E. Colorado Blvd.; for more information, visit Vroman's web site.

“GET YOUR KICKS!” Evening Program – March 3, 2009

Elrond Lawrence, author of LARHF’s brilliant new book Route 66 Railway, will entertain members and guests at an evening presentation set for Tuesday evening, March 3rd, in the METRO Board Room in downtown Los Angeles.

Elrond knows Route 66 like no other rail fan, having photographed the historic highway extensively in California, Arizona and New Mexico, as well as its eastern terminus in Chicago, Illinois. He guarantees that you will “get your kicks!” traveling with him through an evening of splendid photography and lively stories. Enjoy colorful images of Santa Fe “Warbonnets,” modern BNSF diesels, Amtrak, steam, and short lines, captured in a variety of scenic settings. Elrond will also sweep you along today’s Route 66, visiting towns, neon motels, quirky cafes, Harvey Houses, and more.

Copies of Route 66 Railway will be sold that evening and Elrond will personalize books for you with an inscription and autograph.

An original signed photograph by Elrond will also be available.

Earlier in the evening, you are invited to join members and friends for dinner and see the new LARHF exhibit in Philippe’s restaurant entitled, “Get Your Kicks! Route 66 and the Santa Fe.”

Invitations will be sent to LARHF members and friends in early February, but everyone is welcome. For more details, e-mail LARHF at info@larhf.org.

AL MINTURN 1936 - 2008

Sadly, the Foundation lost an important member and a major benefactor, Al Minturn. He died in his sleep on December 7, 2008. Al was an LAUSD administrator for over 30 years. He volunteered as a track & field official at events worldwide, served on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation (LARHF) and was a Patron of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Born in 1936, he lived his entire life in Los Angeles and Torrance, California.

Al was a real buddy and was always there to help in the maintenance of LARHF’s building in Alhambra, always ready to be the “caboose” in its many Field Trips (that is making sure that the last person, straggler, member that needed one last photograph, got on the bus) and always available for any special projects.

We will miss Al’s continuing support in so many ways and let’s not overlook his black truck used extensively for his track and field events and LARHF needs.

A Memorial Service will be held at Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes on Saturday January 3, 2009, at 1:00 PM.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation.