Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles

Rafael Escamilla assisted by Roxanne Salazar and Tom Hinds. "In the 1950’s, the Pacific Electric Red Car’s Glendale/Burbank line ceased operating between downtown Los Angeles and Glendale. Six concrete pillars that supported the car’s passage over the Los Angeles River are all that remain. Passersby since then have wondered what purpose the massive pillars once served. With today’s dedication of “Reclaim, Respect, Revisit”, a vibrant mural celebrates the Red Car and perhaps creates a source of hope for our neighborhood, the river and the cause of mass transit in Los Angeles.

The mural was created in October by artist lead Rafael Escamilla, together with contributing artists Tom Hinds & Roxanne Salazar. The 30 foot by 40 foot mural was commissioned by Friends of Atwater Village (FAV) and funded with City of Los Angeles’ Board of Public Works Community Beautification Grant, as well as private donations raised in September 2004 at the LA River Center.

The Red Car crossed over the river at this location from Silver Lake and into Atwater Village on its way to Glendale. FAV created the mural in hopes of reclaiming a previously blighted and neglected area on the bank of the LA River for local residents. FAV's overall goal is to increase safety and access for residents seeking recreation and a connection to the river. The effort builds on a small pocket park installed by Northeast Trees on the Southeast side of the Hyperion Bridge at the LA River." http://www.friendsofatwatervillage.org/projects/current/muralproject.html

Photo © Ian Robertson-Salt