An intrepid mapmaker has created a stunning map of the Pacific Electric Railway System, the old public transit system for L.A. and surrounding environs, once the largest trolley system in the world.
Erick Galindo shares the work of Jake Berman, who recently posted a map of the historic Los Angeles streetcar network on Reddit. Berman is quoted directly in the article explaining the thinking behind the map:
"I’d like Angelenos to be able to imagine a Los Angeles that wasn’t totally dependent on the car," Berman told L.A. Taco. "Contrary to popular belief, it was the streetcars that originally defined L.A. and you can still see traces of that legacy across the metropolis if you know where to look."
Berman has created a lot more maps, if visualizing a publicly oriented version of Los Angeles isn't enough. Berman's map work on his site fifty-three studio includes historical maps of Caracas, Venezuela and Oakland as well as the light rail system in Wakanda from Black Panther.
FULL STORY: THE GLORY DAYS OF L.A. PUBLIC TRANSIT IN 1926, MAPPED
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research