Every have a desire to take a trip on ‘the Red Car?’
For those interested, the Venice Historical Society (VHS) has scheduled a classic evening with a lecture and slide show on the ever-popular Red Cars, narrated by Red Car maven and historian Alan Fishel, starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31 at the modern Oakwood Recreation Center, 7th and California avenues, Venice.
The first railway service into Venice was in the 1880s, with a connection in Inglewood through Venice on its way to Santa Monica. In the 1890s more lines were built to service Santa Monica, Ocean Park and Venice.
Sources indicate that the once-daily and immensely popular service along the beach ended in 1950. This lecture, by Red Car historian Alan Fishel, will chart the Red Car’s history and fill in the gaps between generations.
The lecture will take two virtual rides on the electric trolley cars. The first trip leaves from downtown Los Angeles through Hollywood, Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Venice in the 1930s. The second trip leaves from downtown Los Angeles on the Venice Short Line on Venice Blvd. passing through Culver City, West Los Angeles, Venice, Ocean Park and Santa Monica.
VHS members contribute $5 for the evening’s lecture, and non-members, $8. Snacks will be available.
For further information call 310-967-5170 and visit the society’s website at venicehistoricalsociety.org. Street parking available.
