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SoCal Connected

Then & Now: Mount Washington

The Little Engine That Couldn't

It was sweet while it lasted. A hillside railway built more than a hundred years ago took Angelenos to the top of Mt. Washington. Before there were roads the Mt. Washington Railway -- a kind of cable car -- hoisted people 940 feet up a steep incline. As many as 3500 passengers a day would pony up 5-cents to get a view of the booming city, the ocean, and to visit the hotel at the top.

Can you guess when this photo was taken? What does the corner look like today? To find out watch this 2-minute video or use the slider below. Have fun!

Our thanks to the Automobile Club of Southern California Archives for sharing these photos. Photos of the hotel are courtesy of the L.A. Public Library and kcet.org.

 

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