1925 photo of workers constructing the rail line on Mission Blvd. San Diego Electric Railway, established by John D. Spreckels in 1892, started a major rail line expansion from downtown to Mission Beach (Belmont Park), Pacific Beach, and La Jolla in 1923. During World War II, the $2.5 million rail line built in the 1920s to the beaches was ripped out along with the elaborate stations and terminals and replaced with a bus line.