Highland Park, circa 1894-96. The tracks of the Santa Fe Railway — now the Metro Gold Line right-of-way — curve away from the viewer toward the northeast. In the center of the photo, a streetcar travels down Pasadena Avenue, since renamed Figueroa Street.
Part of the Title Insurance and Trust, and C.C. Pierce Photography Collection in the USC Digital Library.
In a few years, the northwest corner of Figueroa and 7th streets will likely host the West Coast’s tallest building. In 1919, it was home to this two-story Victorian house.
Part of the Title Insurance and Trust, and C.C. Pierce Photography Collection in the USC Digital Library.
Intersection of Figueroa and Adams, looking north circa 1924. In the center of the intersection is an “American Bobby,” an experimental traffic control device installed by the Auto Club of Southern California.
Part of the Title Insurance and Trust, and C.C. Pierce Photography Collection in the USC Digital Library
1915 view of Figueroa Street (then named Pasadena Avenue) in Highland Park.
Part of the Title Insurance and Trust / C.C. Pierce Photography Collection in the USC Digital Library.
The Figueroa Street Tunnels in the 1930s.
As Eric Richardson writes today for blogdowntown, the first three tunnels—now part of the Arroyo Seco Parkway (CA-110)—were dedicated on this day in 1931. A fourth tunnel and a viaduct extending Figueroa over the Los Angeles River would come later.
Figueroa Street Tunnels in 1938. Today, the tunnels carry the northbound traffic of the Arroyo Seco Parkway (CA-110).
Panoramic views of Highland Park, circa 1908.
The main street running through the middle of the first photograph is Pasadena Avenue (today, Figueroa Street). On the left, the tracks of the Santa Fe Railroad parallel the road. That same right-of-way today carries the light rail cars of the Metro Gold Line.
