San Fernando Valley’s big anniversary: Passenger rail service from LA to Van Nuys began 100 years ago

Image via Los Angeles Public Library

Transit users in the San Fernando Valley probably didn’t notice anything different last Friday when the second century of public transportation in the area got underway.

December 16, 1911, was the first day of rail service from Los Angeles to Van Nuys, a development which quickly transformed the Valley from outlying area to commutable suburb, arguably altering the face of Los Angeles as a whole.

What did Van Nuys and the opening day celebrations look like a century ago?  Metro Library’s Primary Resources blog has some amazing photos to share with you.

4 replies

  1. I agree with Wentzil SFV is one of the most transit dependent cities in all of LA county and all we get is a crappy slow orange line… Hmmm…

  2. It’s sad that the auto and tire makers were allowed to buy and dismantle the rail lines to eliminate competition.

  3. Awesome.

    So let’s honor this anniversary by committing to bring Metrorail to the San Fernando Valley by (1) combining the Sepulveda and Van Nuys transit corridor projects and create one light-rail between Sylmar and LAX and (2) repeal the Robbins Bill and upgrade the Orange Line to light-rail, while extending it east to meet the Gold Line in Pasadena.