Clement Junction, California
Encyclopedia
Clement Junction, CA is a populated place (US Census Class Code U6; Location #1660495) located in Los Angeles County, California
, at latitude 34º00'50" N and longitude 118º14'20" W, and appears as a named place on the U.S. Geological Survey Los Angeles 7.5' Topographical Quadrangle Map.
The community derives its name from the major railroad junction situated there which was named for Canadian-born civil engineer and surveyor Lewis Metzler Clement (1837-1914), Chief Assistant Engineer (later Acting Chief Engineer) and Superintendent of Track of the Central Pacific Railroad Company of California
(1862-81). At that location the Southern Pacific Railroad main line (MP 485.4) to Los Angeles via the San Joaquin Valley
from Northern California (opened in 1876) joined with the rails of the already existing 22-mile Los Angeles & San Pedro Railroad which the SP had acquired in 1874, and thus established a rail link to San Francisco, Sacramento
, and the East via the Pacific Railroad (CPRR/UPRR). Opened in 1869 to provide rail service for the Port of Los Angeles
, the LA&SPRR was the first railroad built in Southern California. Now primarily an industrial area, Clement Junction is located approximately three miles due South of Los Angeles City Hall
and two miles due East of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
. The Union Pacific Railroad
acquired the tracks of the railroad junction (along with its associated freight yard and sidings) in 1996 when it merged with the Southern Pacific Transportation Company, although the former SP Santa Monica
Branch, which once connected at the junction, had been abandoned in 1989.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, at latitude 34º00'50" N and longitude 118º14'20" W, and appears as a named place on the U.S. Geological Survey Los Angeles 7.5' Topographical Quadrangle Map.
The community derives its name from the major railroad junction situated there which was named for Canadian-born civil engineer and surveyor Lewis Metzler Clement (1837-1914), Chief Assistant Engineer (later Acting Chief Engineer) and Superintendent of Track of the Central Pacific Railroad Company of California
Central Pacific Railroad
The Central Pacific Railroad is the former name of the railroad network built between California and Utah, USA that formed part of the "First Transcontinental Railroad" in North America. It is now part of the Union Pacific Railroad. Many 19th century national proposals to build a transcontinental...
(1862-81). At that location the Southern Pacific Railroad main line (MP 485.4) to Los Angeles via the San Joaquin Valley
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton...
from Northern California (opened in 1876) joined with the rails of the already existing 22-mile Los Angeles & San Pedro Railroad which the SP had acquired in 1874, and thus established a rail link to San Francisco, Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
, and the East via the Pacific Railroad (CPRR/UPRR). Opened in 1869 to provide rail service for the Port of Los Angeles
Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles, also called Los Angeles Harbor and WORLDPORT L.A, is a port complex that occupies of land and water along of waterfront. The port is located on San Pedro Bay in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles, approximately south of downtown...
, the LA&SPRR was the first railroad built in Southern California. Now primarily an industrial area, Clement Junction is located approximately three miles due South of Los Angeles City Hall
Los Angeles City Hall
Los Angeles City Hall, completed 1928, is the center of the government of the city of Los Angeles, California, and houses the mayor's office and the meeting chambers and offices of the Los Angeles City Council...
and two miles due East of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
. The Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
acquired the tracks of the railroad junction (along with its associated freight yard and sidings) in 1996 when it merged with the Southern Pacific Transportation Company, although the former SP Santa Monica
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
Branch, which once connected at the junction, had been abandoned in 1989.