Leona Phelps at the Falls
Miss Leona Phelps visits one of nine waterfalls in Rubio Canyon, just upstream from Rubio Pavilion, circa 1905. The falls were quite a tourist attraction, but Thaddeus Lowe initially thought there was enough water to generate electricity to run the incline. During the winter and spring months, circa 1900, our annual rainfall was nearly 24″. [...]
Looking Down the Incline
Looking down the incline circa 1905 by an unknown photographer. Note the photographer’s boots in the lower corners of the image. One of the stories some of the descendants of railway engineer David Joseph Macpherson tell is how they would hike up the Sam Merrill Trail from the top of Lake Street into the local [...]
Fred Harvey / Mount Lowe Connection
This Park Company Photographers photo, negative #601, is inscribed on the negative, “Portion of Alpine Section of Mount Lowe Railway, Circular Bridge and Cape of Good Hope. While it is undated, it is back-stamped, in purple ink, Santa Fe Route News Service, Fred Harvey, Manager, Los Angeles.” Obviously an early photo, pre-1900, and perhaps, with [...]
Alpine Tavern Pony Rides
Early Alpine Tavern is captured by an unknown photographer, prior to the Pacific Electric Railway purchase in 1902. Some of the signage is quite clear due to the quality of the image, including a sign for “Pony Trip to the Summit of Mount Lowe, with guide, time about two hours, tickets, $1.00, apply at hotel [...]
Railfan and photographer Jack Whitmeyer aka The Mount Lowe Kid
We just recently lost noted rail-fan and photographer Jack Whitmeyer, who left quite a legacy of railroad photography. In this real photo postcard, dated November 21, 1953, L. T. Gotchy, photographer, types on the reverse, “The ‘Mount Lowe Kid’ complete with broad-gage (sic) maximum traction boots, slouch hat (so we won’t see that his head [...]
Woman and dog visit Fox Farm
Written on the back of this image, “Edith McKee, sister of last postmaster at Mount Lowe.” The photograph is attributed to Charles Lawrence, official photographer of the Pacific Electric Railway, and also believed to be the dog’s owner. Several stories circulate how Lawrence had a dog with him while he was at Mount Lowe Tavern [...]
Waiting at Rubio Canyon by Bjorn Palenius and Charles Lawrence
Here is a hand-colored image that was originally shot by Charles Lawrence, the official photographer of the Pacific Electric Railway, colorized by San Diego resident and railfan Bjorn Palenius. He has enhanced this image for everyone to enjoy, and we are grateful for his efforts and contributions. Charles Lawrence Photo, Bjorn Palenius Colorization
Macpherson Trestle
Among the things the Mount Lowe incline was known for was Macpherson Trestle; so named for design engineer David Joseph Macpherson. Formally educated at Cornell University and formerly employed by the Santa Fe Railway, Macpherson took his challenges to heart and came up with some brilliant solutions to less than suitable building conditions. Photographer unknown, [...]
“Mount Lowe” at the Base of the Incline
A wood-bodied Pacific Electric Railway “Mount Lowe” car sits at the platform at Rubio Canyon while passengers line up for their trip up the incline. Beyond the head of the line is the waiting room and restrooms, and at some point in time there was a gift and snack counter. 8″ by 10″ print attributed [...]
Grading Echo Mountain, with MacPherson and Lowe
In the fall of 1892 there was a flurry of work going on atop Echo Mountain. With the tent housing the Engineer’s Headquarters in the foreground, Engineer David Joseph MacPherson (left) with plans in his hands, chats with Thaddeus Lowe as he rests his hand on the horn of the saddle. Mount Lowe Preservation Society [...]