North Spadra Pacific Electric Bridge

North Spadra Pacific Electric Bridge
Known as a Red Car. In an open stretch, they could reach speeds up to 80 MPH.

Driving north on Spadra Road in November 1918. About to pass under the Pacific Electric Red Car Bridge. The armistice is signed on November 11, ending The Great War (World War One). It will take six months to a year for the soldiers and sailors to come home on ships and trains. Celebrations everywhere, but the United States is numb and shocked by all the fatalities, all the casualties and injuries. The continent of Europe is devastated with millions of refugees and displaced persons. Inflation is increasing. Liquor is illegal in the USA. The population of Fullerton is between 5,000 and 10,000. Not many have cars yet, but more every few days. The average family breadwinner earns about $3K a year. Except for Santa Ana, Orange County is agricultural. Citrus fruit and oil are the main products produced. Probably 3 out of 4 Caucasian adults are from the Midwest. A trip to LA takes 45 minutes to an hour. Most of Fullerton is situated between Orangethorpe, Malvern, Lemon and Richman. There is no Sunny Hills yet, only Bastanchury Ranch. Golden Hill may have 20 or 30 homes, here and there. The average man lives to age 55 or 60. The average woman, 65-68. Quite a few babies don’t survive longer than a month.

A worldwide influenza epidemic is about to begin. Dinner is served at 5:30. A slice of roast beef, boiled potatoes, gravy, green beans, dinner roll, butter, coffee, tea or milk, and maybe a tangerine or a pear. 2 or 3 times a week, dessert. Devil’s food cake. Portions half of what we ate in the 1960s. Listen to the radio, play cards or read until 8 or 8:30. Study the Bible, maybe. Knit. Darn socks. Sit in the front porch and chat. Now get ready for bed. Lights out by 9:15. Probably no indoor plumbing. The alarm clock will ring at 5 or 5:30. Sweet dreams.

The bridge itself survived until almost 1960. A ’67 woman remembered her older FUHS brother sat on the bridge and threw oranges on cars passing below.

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