8th Street and Vermont Ave on September 8, 1950: post-war dismantling of LA’s extensive streetcar network

1950, If what’s going on in the photo is what I think is going on, it’s a bit of a sad day, if you ask me. We’re looking toward the northeast corner of 8th Street and Vermont Ave on September 8, 1950. Those workmen look like they’re ripping up streetcar tracks, which means what we’re seeing is the beginning of the post-war dismantling of LA’s extensive streetcar network. For most of its existence, the streetcars failed to break even, much less make a profit, but gosh, wouldn’t it be nice if we’d found a way to retain them as a valid way to get around Los Angeles?  Thanks to Martin Turnbull.