Red Car Trolley Bridge spanning The Grand Canal

The Red Line Trolley Car brought workers to build Venice of America, and later tourists to visit this unique community.

This is the original bridge, built in 1900.

This portion of the Venice Canals is the only original portion, dredged by Venice's visionary developer, Mr. Abbot Kinney.

This area had been a wetlands, or swamp as it was considered in those days. Abbot Kinney had a vision to dredge the swamp, creating canals and islands. It was a special seaside community, a mash-up of Venice, Italy and Coney Island.

At other sites you'll see and hear of the fantastic wild amusement rides, beautiful Italian architecture, curious events, and serene water front homes that were Abbot Kinney's Venice of America.

KCET VIDEO's

From its origins as a seaside resort to its fame as a countercultural hub, Venice Beach boasts a rich history. This episode explores the original plans for Venice, the Beat poets who lived there and the history of the Abbot Kinney commercial district. https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/episodes/venice

Who Killed the Red Car? Why did Los Angeles dismantle one of the greatest rail transit systems in the nation? https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/episodes/who-killed-the-red-car

The Lost Canals of Venice of America: The seven original canals of Venice, California, are lost to history – long ago filled in, paved over, and converted into residential streets. https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/the-lost-canals-of-venice-of-america