Retro Friday: Street Safety in 1930s Los Angeles (Filmstrip)

Don't Be foolish! Obey the Law! Cross Streets Carefully! Think Of Your Parents!

Los Angeles streets in the 1930s look like the Wild West in this safety filmstrip -- but I suppose the whole concept of street culture was relatively new back then. No seat belts, no speed limit, no safety measures to prevent tragedies. This film (no sound, sorry) gives us a glimpse into busy 1930s L.A. surface streets, including the heyday of the Red and Yellow Cars. Watch above.

Exploring L.A.'s Railway Past in Perris

Driving to Perris, California -- deep inside the Inland Empire -- is a chore. And let's be honest, the town itself isn't that hot. (Indeed, Perris... is no Paris.)

But for Los Angeles history buffs, railroad fanatics and kids who simply enjoy choo-choos, the Orange Empire Railway Museum is worth making the trek at least once.

We hit the museum last year with Blogger Kid in tow for a special "Thomas the Tank Engine"-themed weekend. Evan enjoyed riding the trains -- but I loved climbing aboard old Los Angeles Yellow and Red cars, and examining old L.A. transit maps and memorabilia. I'm a nerd.

Some pics from the museum:

Retro Friday: The Final Years of L.A.'s Streetcars

Some great color film from the 1950s of L.A.'s narrow-gauge "Yellow Car" streetcars. By the mid-fifties, there were six of these yellow car lines being operated by the Los Angeles Transit Lines. Check out the old W and S lines; followed by a look of the five remaining lines after the Metropolitan Transit Authority took over. This footage ends with film of the final day of operation.