HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES
(Demographics Table of Contents)
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The Coming of the Railroads
Railroads reached the city in the late 19th century and had a tremendous impact on the population and economy. Rapid development of the city began after the Southern Pacific Railroad reached the city in 1876. The arrival of the Santa Fe Railway in 1885 was followed by a real estate boom that lasted until 1888. Los Angeles had 50,395 people by 1890 and 102,479 by 1900. In the first decade of the 20th century, the population more than tripled.