Angels Flight Archway

(Originally published in The Online Elk, No. 3)

n 1901, a funicular railway called the Angels Flight Railway commenced operation in downtown Los Angeles, carrying passengers in either of two counterbalanced tram cars named Olivet and Sinai to cover the 600-foot slope between Bunker Street (now Hill Street) up in the affluent Bunker Hill area and the commercial district (literally) "downtown."

In 1968, the Angels Flight Railway -- dilapidated and fallen into disuse -- was dismantled and stored by the city. A little over 27 years later, it was restored to operation a few hundred feet from its original location and continues as an impressive tourist attraction to the present, carrying visitors in the Turn-of-the-Century style to the heights above the City of the Angels. However, many riders are puzzled by the inscription on the cast-iron arch that serves as the lower entrance gate: Immediately below the words "Angels Flight" are four letters known to our members well -- "BPOE."

Research in the Chicago Headquarters has failed to find the connection between the Order and this curious little railway. If anyone has information that will shed some light on how the letters got there, please let Grand Lodge Historian Mike Kelly know so the facts get into the record. You can reach him by e-mail at mikek@elks.org or by phone at 773/477-2750, ext. 313.

Update:
One Historical Detective Found

In answer to our request for info on the ANGELS FLIGHT Funicular Railway in Los Angeles, Brother Robert Mathewson of Albert Lea, MN Lodge No. 813, who grew up in Los Angeles, reports that, while the Angels Flight itself was built in 1901, the arch bearing the Order's initials at the railway's lower end was a gift of the Elks in and around Los Angeles in 1908, who had secured that city as the site of the 1909 Grand Lodge Reunion.

Los Angeles Lodge No. 99 may be able to provide more details, as they had their Lodge situated at 231 Spring Street at that time. While we cannot discern from the maps found in our Windy City offices if that places their Lodge at or near the upper terminal of the railway, such would explain giving the large mass of visiting Elks a sort of "follow this arrow" type of indicator to find the elevated Lodge building.

Bob also learned that a similar railway called "Court Flight," which existed at Temple and Hill Streets north of Angels Flight, has long been replaced by the Santa Ana Freeway. As further details surface, we will continue to unravel the mystery of the ANGELS FLIGHT Elk archway.

Mike Kelly’s columns will appear as often as he can find the time to write them, which, we fear, won’t be often enough. In addition to serving as the unofficial Grand Lodge Historian, Mike is the director of the GL Publishing Department and an assistant to the Grand Secretary. You can contact him at mikek@elks.org.