Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad
| Company type | Railroad |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1901 in Utah, United States |
| Founder | William Andrews Clark |
| Defunct | 1987 |
| Fate | Merged into Union Pacific Railroad |
| Headquarters | Salt Lake City , United States |
Area served | Utah, Nevada, California |
Key people | William Andrews Clark, Thomas Kearns |
| Products | Rail transportation |
| Parent | Union Pacific Railroad (from 1921) |
The Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad was a rail enterprise connecting Salt Lake City, Utah, with Los Angeles, California, passing through Las Vegas, Nevada. Established in Utah in 1901 under the name San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad, it was predominantly developed by William Andrews Clark, a prominent Montana mining magnate and U.S. Senator. Clark collaborated with Utah Senator Thomas Kearns to secure the railroad’s success within Utah. The line was completed in 1905, and the company adopted the LA&SL designation in 1916. Often referred to as "The Salt Lake Route" or "The Clark Road," its tracks continue to operate today as part of the Union Pacific Railroad network, specifically within the Cima, Caliente, Sharp, and Lynndyl Subdivisions.
History
The railroad's beginnings date to 1871 when the Utah Southern Railroad extended southward from Salt Lake City under the control of Union Pacific (UP). By 1880, the rails had reached Milford, Utah. These lines were ultimately incorporated into UP’s Oregon Short Line subsidiary by the end of the 19th century.
Progress toward extending further south stalled until 1899, when construction advanced to the Utah–Nevada border. In 1900, William Andrews Clark took control of the struggling Los Angeles Terminal Railway with plans to link it northeastward to Salt Lake City. Reestablished in 1901 as the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad, Clark obtained political and financial support despite opposition from UP and its head E. H. Harriman.
Construction picked up again in Nevada along existing UP grades; following a brief "railroad war," Clark and UP reached an agreement in 1903 whereby Clark’s railroad would acquire UP trackage south of Salt Lake City in return for UP receiving a 50% ownership stake. The complete Salt Lake–Los Angeles route officially opened on May 1, 1905. Instead of constructing new tracks over Cajon Pass, Clark secured trackage rights from Daggett to Riverside, California via ATSF lines.
In 1916, shareholders voted to drop "San Pedro" from the company name after San Pedro merged into Los Angeles. The LA&SL remained independent until April 27, 1921, when UP purchased Clark’s half-interest. Following this acquisition, LA&SL routes were integrated into UP operations though the corporate entity existed on paper until 1988. The original main line continues as part of UP’s system today.
By 1925, LA&SL reported freight revenue totaling 1,158 million ton-miles and passenger traffic amounting to 192 million passenger-miles across 1,208 miles of road and 1,970 miles of track.
Initially serving as the dividing line between Pacific and Mountain Time Zones through Utah, this boundary shifted entirely into Mountain Time by April 1969.
Route and stations
Along its corridor, LA&SL established several "division points" to facilitate operational management and maintenance. Traveling southwest from Salt Lake City, principal division points included Lynndyl and Milford in Utah; Caliente and Las Vegas in Nevada; as well as Yermo and San Bernardino in California. The railroad also maintained a notable facility at the isolated town of Kelso, California. The line primarily traversed rugged desert landscapes with sparse population centers until Las Vegas experienced significant growth mid-20th century.
Renowned for their distinctive design, many LA&SL depots showcased prominent Mission Revival architectural style. The largest station at Milford was demolished in 1981 and replaced by a smaller office building still utilized by rail operations. Historic stations at Caliente and Kelso remain preserved alongside several other Mission Revival depots located throughout southern California. Architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood notably designed stations at Lund and Black Rock. Additionally, the Salt Lake City depot, constructed in French Renaissance style, stands as a significant local landmark.
See also
- Railroad Cottage Historic District — located in Las Vegas
- Salt Lake Station — situated in Los Angeles
Further reading
External links
- Articles with short description
- Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad
- Defunct California railroads
- Defunct Nevada railroads
- Defunct Utah railroads
- Predecessors of the Union Pacific Railroad
- Former Class I railroads in the United States
- Railway companies established in 1916
- American companies established in 1916
- Railway companies disestablished in 1987
- American companies disestablished in 1987
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- Companies of the United States by year of establishment