It would appear that the horse is set to push the sightseeing car. More likely, he is just turned around so he can follow behind on the trip downhill. If so, I hope there's also a brake.
I wouldn't have a clue to where this is, except for the sign below. Here it is magnified several times.
It says, "To Echo Mountain via Castle Canyon 34 miles." That should give a good clue. Echo Mountain is located in Los Angeles County in the San Gabriel Mountains. It's called Echo Mountain because of the great echoes you get when you yell into Castle Canyon. And there was a railway there too, the Mount Lowe Railway, which was powered by overhead trolley wires and transported passengers from Altadena up the hills to Rubio Canyon, where there was a small hotel. From there, passengers could take a funicular up to Echo Mountain, where there was an elegant 70-room Victorian hotel and a chalet. There was also a casino, a dance hall, and the opportunity to transfer to yet another trolley line to Crystal Springs. The entire venture constantly ran into hard times and disasters, including fires, torrential rains, and gale-force winds. It opened in 1893 and was abandoned in 1938.
This horse-drawn car may have connected to the Mount Lowe Railway, but I don't think it was part of the system. The former owners of this postcard were thoughtful enough to write a date on the back though. These were the same people who visited Gayle's Lion Farm and nicely dated those cards as well.
Update 3/8/11: I happened to see a very similar card today taken at the same location. The people who took that picture wrote on the back: Mule train, Inspiration Point to Picture Rock, Mt. Lowe.
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I have only just seen your blog (late last night actually), you have a wonderful collection of postcards, it's a pleasure to see them.
ReplyDeleteThe Echo Of Horse Hoofs On Metal rail Must Have Made A Right Clatter!
ReplyDeleteGood god, that's one scary ride out in the open and overlooking a steep drop!
ReplyDeleteMore likely by the set-up (and harness) that the horse is pulling; but if he was a "union" horse, then might have been otherwise disposed. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have never seen such a thing. I hope there was a braking system so the horse didn't get run over by the thing going down hill.
ReplyDeleteThere's the possibility that in this area (canyon) that the horse is used for the return trip going back against the grade (as noted) and perhaps at their original destination they might swap horses, as well, as part of the integrated transportation method. It does gives a new meaning to the word "Pullman". ;)
ReplyDeleteNow that is a most interesting image/contraption, the things people come up with to make a buck off tourists is fascinating- in this case it was sort of like having a park bench dragged up a mountainside! The view was definitely better on the downhill side of the car, but riders probably felt a bit more secure on the uphill side! The sign facing downhill suggests there is a a trail/road that parallels the tracks at this point.
ReplyDeleteWhere was the photographer standing, mid-air? Jack/Youngstown
ReplyDeleteGood question, Jack. Maybe there was a curve that we can't see. And who was supposed to read that sign, the people on the train?
ReplyDeleteThe railway and resort were located just north of Pasadena, Ca. You can actually hike the 2.5 mi. up to where parts of the railine still exist, as well as the foundation of the Echo Mountain resort and abandoned funicular equipment.
ReplyDeleteThe mule would push the car; this known as the "One Man and a Mule Railway." The reason for the pusher arrangement is provided in this url:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mountlowe.org/mount-lowe-history/the-one-man-and-a-mule-railway/