At the turn of the 20th century, freeways did not exist, roads weren’t well maintained, and automobiles were too expensive for the average family. As a result, Southern California developed what was once the largest interurban electric rail system in the world.
From 1903 to 1965, the Pacific Electric Railway Company operated a network that stretched hundreds of miles with hubs in both Los Angeles and San Bernardino. It played a significant role in the early development of the Inland Empire.
The San Bernardino hub connected lines to Los Angeles, Riverside, Arrowhead Hot Springs, Colton, Highland and Redlands. In San Bernardino, the origin of the Pacific Electric Railway Company’s local lines dates back to the San Bernardino Valley Traction Company in 1901.
A key line was built from Colton to Redlands, Highland and Urbita Hot Springs (the present-day site of the Inland Center Mall). A line was also built from Third and D Street and D Street to Baseline Road. This line was extended in 1906 and became known as the Arrowhead Hot Springs line.
In 1910, the Pacific Electric Railway Company merged with Southern Pacific and numerous smaller electric railway companies. As a result, the Pacific Electric Railway began to bring a huge number of visitors and new residents into San Bernardino.
By 1915, the system carried 784,684 passengers along the new routes. By 1927, service from Los Angeles to either San Bernardino or Riverside was 40 minutes. However, during this time, automobile ownership began to rise, which led to the decline of ridership. In addition, highways to San Bernardino’s neighboring cities and communities were also being constructed.
By 1943, all regular passenger service to and from San Bernardino was discontinued. Today’s highways, especially the 215, 210 and 10 freeways, closely follow former railroad routes once used by the Pacific Electric Railway Company.
The information in this historical feature was originally part of a video series produced by the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk’s office.
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