Corner Residence

Corner Residence by the Railroad Tracks
United States
United States › California › Santa Monica
c. 1910

This photograph shows a large corner residence located near a railroad line in Santa Monica, around 1910. The substantial wooden house, with its broad porch and steep rooflines, reflects the residential architecture common in Southern California during the early twentieth century.

In the foreground, railway tracks run alongside the street, illustrating how closely transportation infrastructure and residential neighborhoods often developed together in growing coastal towns. At the time, rail connections played a crucial role in linking Santa Monica with Los Angeles, supporting both commuting and tourism.

The wide streets, newly planted trees, and spacious lots suggest a developing neighborhood in what was then a rapidly expanding seaside community. Santa Monica was evolving from a small resort town into a permanent residential city, attracting new residents drawn by the coastal climate and improved transportation.

Source: Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). 📷