diagonalism - a new science of mental health

December 30, 2008 5:02 PM

What is this odd geographical feature in Long Beach, CA?

See the diagonal strip running from the upper left to lower right on the google map. It can be followed for several miles northwest from the linked point. Zoom in and check it out, and you'll see that it's pretty well defined for the several-mile span both by surrounding development and non-development.

I've had it suggested that it may have been an old rail line, but haven't found anything concrete on that. There's nothing really visible or tangible to it at ground level, but I'm curious why seemingly everything developed in the area has stuck precisely either within or without that diagonal footprint relative to the surrounding street grid. If it was a rail line removed sometime in the 60s or 70s, that'd probably explain the way it looks now, but I'd love to find out what, if anything, was there.

Thanks!

posted by anazgnos to science & nature (8 comments total)

I think it was an old rail line. If you go uhm NorthWestish (just follow it left/up for a while), it turns and there are railroad tracks. I really don't know anything, though -- I've never noticed that when I've lived/been in Long Beach
posted by majikstreet at 5:10 PM on December 30, 2008

According to Wikimapia, it seems to be "the Green Belt".
posted by Flunkie at 5:17 PM on December 30, 2008

Pacific Electric Right of Way
posted by TedW at 5:18 PM on December 30, 2008

Also, the railroad tracks I saw are apparently the Light rail..
posted by majikstreet at 5:19 PM on December 30, 2008

Yep, Pacific Electric Railway. Shown here on this old rail map.
posted by oneirodynia at 5:31 PM on December 30, 2008

Awesome. Thanks for all the responses. That rail map corresponds exactly.

I just moved into a building built within the diagonal and wondered whether I would reap any special health benefits (or detriments) as a result of the ancient railroad forces permeating the area.

Probably not, but I'm still gonna try to align my couch with it.
posted by anazgnos at 10:05 PM on December 30, 2008

Adding to what majikstreet says: Where the diagonal crosses Long Beach Blvd it becomes the tracks for the Blue Line (which runs up the median to that point). You can see Willow Station just to the west of the road.
posted by Horselover Fat at 9:15 AM on December 31, 2008

I just moved into a building built within the diagonal and wondered whether I would reap any special health benefits (or detriments) as a result of the ancient railroad forces permeating the area.

Yes.
We of the Long Beach derive much of our power from that ancient railroad, along with the Villa Riviera sky temple, the offshore alien cities and Super Mex. If you live actually within the right of way, your powers could one day rival Shaman Snoop.
posted by Methylviolet at 5:15 PM on December 31, 2008