21 Arcadians Demand Paved Roads

Arcadians were serious about the condition of their roads, and were particularly demanding because of the damage being done to their new means of transportation – the automobile. Automotive repair shops were being established along First Avenue, in West Arcadia on Baldwin Avenue and south on Santa Anita Avenue. Fortunately, few vehicles could travel faster than 40 miles per hour. The cars’ drivers were the biggest problem.

Drivers were neither trained, or licensed, even young children were allowed to drive, many hired to make deliveries.

Arcadia’s major streets were paved and streetlights were installed in 1915. An Ordinance requiring car mufflers was passed in 1918 with speed limits following, under the suggestion of the Auto Club. Reckless speeding was a real problem for Arcadia’s police. The term, “Speed Trap” shows up in 1910. Finally, a National Uniform Vehicle Code was adopted in 1926. Only 39 states required driver’s licenses by 1935.