Los Angeles Railway Corporation legal records and correspondence, 1890-1944, bulk 1891-1899

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Summary

Creators:
Los Angeles Railway Corporation
Abstract:
Legal documents and correspondence generated in the operations of Los Angeles Railway Corporation, the company that operated local streetcar transit from 1895-1945.
Extent:
14.6 linear feet 53 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Los Angeles Railway Corporation Legal Records and Correspondence, 73-DPGTL. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Research Library and Archive.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is comprised of documents generated by the operation of Los Angeles Railway Corporation. This includes drafts and final copies of trust deeds/mortgages, contracts made with stockholders, banks, and other corporations such as the Southern California Power Company. Also included are check stubs, correspondence, accounting documents, and handwritten notes.

Biographical / historical:

Los Angeles Railway Corporation (LARy) operated local streetcar transit in downtown Los Angeles from 1895-1945. LARy was also known as the Yellow Cars of Los Angeles, distinguished from the farther-reaching Pacific Electric Railway Company's "red car" interurban streetcars by vehicle color.

During its operation, LARy expanded service by merging with the Main Street & Agricultural Park Street Railroad. Henry E. Huntington became owner of LARy in 1898, and the controlling interest remained part of the Huntington estate until 1945 when the Fitzgerald Brothers purchased those shares.

LARy became part of the National City Lines, was renamed the Los Angeles Transit Lines, and eventually the streetcars were phased out, replaced by motor buses.

Acquisition information:
Southern California Rapid Transit District material was passed on to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) after LACMTA was created by the California State Legislature through a merger of the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and the Southern California Rapid Transit District
Custodial history:

Material from the Los Angeles Railway library became part of the library established by SCRTD in 1971. SCRTD's library and its materials were retained by LACMTA after the 1993 merger.

Processing information:

Processed by Denise Villegas, May 2013.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in the 15 series listed below. Arrangement within each series is chronological, with unknown dates at the front.

  1. Board of Directors and Stockholders, 1895 – 1899
  2. Contracts, Decrees, Deeds, and Agreements, 1890 – 1943
  3. Construction, 1898
  4. Corporate Culture, 1898 – 1942
  5. Correspondence, September 1894 – January 1899
  6. Divisions, Yards, and Shops, undated
  7. Equipment, 1939 – 1940
  8. Female Employees, 1942 – 1945
  9. Financial Records, 1895 – 1943
  10. Maps and Routes, 1932 – 1945
  11. Public Relations, 1921 – 1944
  12. Reports, 1930 – 1946
  13. Tickets and Transfers, 1940 – 1941
  14. Two Bells, 1920 – 1944
  15. Miscellaneous, 1890 – 1898
Physical location:
LACMTA Research Library and Archive
Physical description:
,
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. Digital copies of some photographs available online. Advance notice required for physical access to collection. Contact LACMTA Research Library and Archive to make an appointment.

Terms of access:

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the LACMTA Research Library and Archive. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the LACMTA Research Library and Archive as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement that may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the LACMTA Research Library and Archive collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Los Angeles Railway Corporation Legal Records and Correspondence, 73-DPGTL. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Research Library and Archive.

Location of this collection:
One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop: 99-15-1
Los Angeles, CA 90012, US
Contact:
213.922.4859
kennedyc@metro.net
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