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The harbor, Los Angeles, Cal.

 
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Title
The harbor, Los Angeles, Cal.
Description
A view of the Port of Los Angeles, looking out towards the ocean, with a freight train in the foreground, and ships in the harbor. A sign for "E. K. Wood [Lumber]" can be seen on top of one of the buildings on the left.
Physical description
1 postcard : Color ; 9 x 14 cm.
Subject
Harbors--California--Los Angeles; Shipping--California--Los Angeles; Railroad trains--California--Los Angeles;
Note
Although San Pedro Bay, had been in use as a port since the 18th century, it was not actively developed until the middle of the nineteenth century when entrepreneur Phineas Banning organized a number of improvements to the area. These included dredging the Main Channel in 1871 and constructing a breakwater between Rattlesnake Island (now Terminal Island) and Deadman's Island (formerly located near Terminal Island). In 1897, San Pedro Bay was selected as the site of Los Angeles' free port, and it was officially established in 1907. During 1911 and 1912, the first 8,500-foot section of the breakwater was completed, and the Main Channel was widened and deepened to accommodate the largest vessels of that era. At the same time, Southern Pacific Railroad completed its first major wharf in San Pedro, allowing railcars to efficiently load and unload goods simultaneously. By the 1920s, the Port of Los Angeles had surpassed San Francisco as the busiest port on the West Coast.
Collection Location
Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection
Type
Geographic Location
San Pedro Bay (Calif.); Bay); Los Angeles Harbor (Calif.)
Language
eng
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