Mount Lowe Railway Home Movie

Florence "Pancho" Barnes' grandfather Thaddeus Lowe was a Civil War balloonist, a founder of CalTech and an inventor with numerous patents. He constructed a railway up the San Gabriel range, consisting of a spectacular funicular line connected to a trolley that ran through high grades and spectacular scenery. Unfortunately for Lowe, the railway was a money pit that gradually eroded his personal fortune, and he eventually faced bankruptcy. The railway continued to operate into the 1930s under the auspices of the Pacific Electric. This extremely rare home movie contains footage used in the new documentary, The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club. The DVD features a bonus segment concerning the eerie parallels between Thaddeus Lowe's railway in the sky and Pancho's own resort attraction, the "Happy Bottom Riding Club" guest ranch.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• railroad
• railway
• Pasadena
• Thaddeus Lowe
• funicular
• cable car
• trolley
• interurban
• Pacific Electric
• Henry Huntington
• Mount Lowe
• Mt. Lowe

[costernocht]

I hike Echo Mountain and Mt Lowe often, so this is a treat. Thank you for posting.

[CherzieBear]

I lived in Altadena & used to hike up here often in the 1970's. I could never understand why Mother didn't go up there even tho my family lived within 20 miles? All these people visiting from all over the country going there, I even have a cabinet view card of Carrie Nation on the Incline Car. I guess you don't visit tourist attractions near you, but what a great place!

[pporras]

Thanks for sharing this video, Its very cool...