in Places & People

Before Freeways and Skyscrapers: What Los Angeles Looked Like in the Late 19th Century

In the late 1800s, Los Angeles was a small but rapidly growing city. The population in 1880 was about 11,000. By 1900, it had surged to over 100,000. This growth was driven by new transportation, agriculture, and a wave of migration that changed the city’s character.

One major factor was the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1876 and the Santa Fe Railroad in 1885. These rail lines connected Los Angeles to the rest of the United States, making it easier for people and goods to move in and out. Rail travel also made land in Southern California highly desirable. Land agents advertised the region as a paradise with mild weather and fertile soil, attracting settlers from the Midwest and the East.

Agriculture dominated the economy during this period. Orange groves spread across the valleys, and vineyards flourished. The city’s climate and irrigation systems allowed farmers to produce citrus fruit in large quantities. This gave rise to the famous Southern California citrus industry, which would later become iconic.

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The streets of Los Angeles were very different from what they are today. Dirt roads were common, and horse-drawn carriages were the main mode of transportation. Streetcars began operating in the 1870s, and by the 1890s, electric streetcars provided affordable transportation for residents. These lines encouraged the growth of neighborhoods beyond the city center.

Architecture in Los Angeles reflected Victorian styles popular at the time. Wooden homes with ornate details lined the streets. Many businesses were located along Main Street and Spring Street, which formed the heart of the commercial district. Brick buildings began replacing wood as the city aimed to reduce fire risk.

Water supply was a constant challenge. The city relied on the Los Angeles River and a network of irrigation ditches, known as zanjas, inherited from earlier Spanish and Mexican settlers. The demand for water increased as the population grew, leading to plans for larger-scale water projects.

Social life in late 19th-century Los Angeles mixed old traditions with new influences. The city still showed traces of its Spanish and Mexican roots in architecture, food, and street names. At the same time, American settlers introduced new cultural norms, businesses, and civic institutions.

#1 This is North Santa Monica Beach in the 1880s, shortly after the Southern Pacific railroad reached the town.

This is North Santa Monica Beach in the 1880s, shortly after the Southern Pacific railroad reached the town.

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#2 These people are visiting Santa Monica beach in the 1880s. In the distance you can see one of the first iterations of the Santa Monica Pier.

These people are visiting Santa Monica beach in the 1880s. In the distance you can see one of the first iterations of the Santa Monica Pier.

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#3 This is the Southern Pacific railroad as it enters Santa Monica. The railroad ignited a bustling tourism industry along the Pacific Coast.

This is the Southern Pacific railroad as it enters Santa Monica. The railroad ignited a bustling tourism industry along the Pacific Coast.

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#4 This is the Santa Monica Bathhouse, built in 1876. It included rooms for rent, enormous bathtubs, and two steam rooms. It was built by Colonel Baker and millionaire John Percival Jones, who developed much of Santa Monica.

This is the Santa Monica Bathhouse, built in 1876. It included rooms for rent, enormous bathtubs, and two steam rooms. It was built by Colonel Baker and millionaire John Percival Jones, who developed much of Santa Monica.

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#5 The Santa Monica Hotel was the first hotel built in the area. It was constructed in 1885 to accommodate the influx of tourists from the railroad.

The Santa Monica Hotel was the first hotel built in the area. It was constructed in 1885 to accommodate the influx of tourists from the railroad.

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#6 This is the San Fernando Valley around 1890. The Valley now encapsulates parts of Los Angeles, Hidden Hills, and Glendale, as well as the cities of Burbank and San Fernando. It is completely undeveloped here.

This is the San Fernando Valley around 1890. The Valley now encapsulates parts of Los Angeles, Hidden Hills, and Glendale, as well as the cities of Burbank and San Fernando. It is completely undeveloped here.

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#7 This man is fishing at Redondo Beach, one of Los Angeles’ three beach cities. At the time, Redondo was a source of halibut, lobster, and sea bass.

This man is fishing at Redondo Beach, one of Los Angeles' three beach cities. At the time, Redondo was a source of halibut, lobster, and sea bass.

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#8 Here you can see the beginnings of Venice Beach, Calif., built in 1905 as an oceanfront resort. Several miles of canals were dug in the area to drain the marshy land and a variety of attractions were constructed, including the dance hall shown here.

Here you can see the beginnings of Venice Beach, Calif., built in 1905 as an oceanfront resort. Several miles of canals were dug in the area to drain the marshy land and a variety of attractions were constructed, including the dance hall shown here.

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#9 This is the Cathedral of St. Vibiana in 1895. Located in Downtown Los Angeles, the cathedral was the seat of the Los Angeles bishop for over 100 years. It is now an event space.

This is the Cathedral of St. Vibiana in 1895. Located in Downtown Los Angeles, the cathedral was the seat of the Los Angeles bishop for over 100 years. It is now an event space.

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#10 Downey, a city southeast of downtown Los Angeles, is seen here in 1875, just two years after the railroad reached the community.

Downey, a city southeast of downtown Los Angeles, is seen here in 1875, just two years after the railroad reached the community.

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#11 This photo from 1905 shows bathers on the beach in Santa Monica.

This photo from 1905 shows bathers on the beach in Santa Monica.

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#12 This is the “Chinese Quarter” of Los Angeles — the city’s first Chinatown — in 1892. This version of Chinatown was in its heyday from 1890 to 1910, but an explosion of gambling houses, opium dens, and gang warfare led the government to condemn the area. The residents were evicted to make room for Union Station.

This is the "Chinese Quarter" of Los Angeles — the city's first Chinatown — in 1892. This version of Chinatown was in its heyday from 1890 to 1910, but an explosion of gambling houses, opium dens, and gang warfare led the government to condemn the area. The residents were evicted to make room for Union Station.

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#13 These two people are canoeing in Westlake Park, now called MacArthur Park. The park was originally constructed as a reservoir for the city. By the 1890s, it was a hot vacation spot, surrounded by luxury hotels.

These two people are canoeing in Westlake Park, now called MacArthur Park. The park was originally constructed as a reservoir for the city. By the 1890s, it was a hot vacation spot, surrounded by luxury hotels.

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#14 This is the view of Santa Monica from the Arcadia Hotel in 1893.

This is the view of Santa Monica from the Arcadia Hotel in 1893.

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#15 The 125-room Arcadia Hotel opened on January 25, 1887. It was one of the landmark hotels of the era. This is the roller coaster at the hotel.

The 125-room Arcadia Hotel opened on January 25, 1887. It was one of the landmark hotels of the era. This is the roller coaster at the hotel.

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#16 Cable car downtown on Broadway looking south from 2nd Street, with pedestrians, horses and wagons, Los Angeles California, 1880s.

Cable car downtown on Broadway looking south from 2nd Street, with pedestrians, horses and wagons, Los Angeles California, 1880s.

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#17 Birdseye View of Los Angeles California with Pico House, 1870.

Birdseye View of Los Angeles California with Pico House, 1870.

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#20 Avenue of palms in Los Angeles, California, 1898.

Avenue of palms in Los Angeles, California, 1898.

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#21 Looking down Fourth Street from Main towards Spring Street, with the Farmers and Merchants Bank and the tall Hibernian Building, Los Angeles, California, 1900.

Looking down Fourth Street from Main towards Spring Street, with the Farmers and Merchants Bank and the tall Hibernian Building, Los Angeles, California, 1900.

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#22 A parlor car from the Los Angeles & Pasadena Railway Company at the Altadena station, 1894.

A parlor car from the Los Angeles & Pasadena Railway Company at the Altadena station, 1894.

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#23 View of the first electric car over Arroyo Seco near the Cawston ostrich farm, 1895.

View of the first electric car over Arroyo Seco near the Cawston ostrich farm, 1895.

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#25 Sixth Street looking north from Olive Street, Los Angeles.

Sixth Street looking north from Olive Street, Los Angeles.

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Written by Kevin Clark

Kevin Clark is a historian and writer who is passionate about sharing the stories and significance behind historical photos. He loves to explore hidden histories and cultural contexts behind the images, providing a unique insight into the past.

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