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S.P. Mammoth Wharf, 4700 feet long, Port Los Angeles, Cal.

 
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Title
S.P. Mammoth Wharf, 4700 feet long, Port Los Angeles, Cal.
Date
1893
Description
A view of the Southern Pacific Long Wharf, also known as the Mile Long Pier, looking from the shore towards the west. Two tall ships are docked at the end of the pier. A third tall ship is seen in open water in the upper right portion of the image. Two sets of railroad tracks run the length of the wharf. A steam locomotive appears traveling towards the shore on the right side of the image.
Physical description
1 postcard : Color ; 14 x 9 cm.
Subject
Bays--California--Santa Monica Bay; Wharves--California--Santa Monica Bay; Piers--California--Santa Monica Bay; Railroads--California--Los Angeles; Locomotives--California--Los Angeles
Note
Santa Monica Bay was originally the site of the Long Wharf, briefly known as the Port of Los Angeles. The wharf was located at the mouth of Portero Canyon near the present location of Chatuaqua Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades, California. The Long Wharf was engineered by the Thompson Bridge Co. and completed in 1894. It was advertised as "the longest wharf in the world" and was 4,720 feet long. The wharf included two sets of railroad tracks to carry goods to and from the mainland. For a short while, Santa Monica was under consideration as the major deep water seaport for the city of Los Angeles, and the city's business and tourism boomed during this period. However, in 1897 a Congressional decision was made favoring San Pedro as the major port for Los Angeles, and the Long Wharf eventually lost the shipping trade. In 1913, Pacific Electric Railway Company contracted to have the outer 1600 feet of the Long Wharf dismantled, reducing it to around half of its original size. The remaining portion of the pier was removed by December of 1920.
Collection Location
Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection
Type
Geographic Location
Santa Monica Bay (Calif.)
Language
eng
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