North Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Transcontinental Railroad

Western Base of the Sierra Nevada

Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 11, 2009

1. First Transcontinental Railroad Marker

Inscription. On January 12, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln decreed that where the Central Pacific Railroad crossed Arden Creek the western base of the Sierra Nevada began. The hardships of railroad construction through mountains resulted in increased government subsidies. These funds gave the company impetus to finish the transcontinental railroad.
CALIFORNIA REGISTERED HISTORICAL LANDMARK No. 780-8
Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the New Helvetia Chapter No.5, E. Clampus Vitus, August 17, 1971.

[Second Plaque Remounted by
JOHN A. SUTTER #1841
In conjunction with
YERBA BUENA #1
E. Clampus Vitus
March 2009

Erected 1971 by Department of Parks & Recreation, New Helvetia Chapter No.5, E Clampus Vitus, August 17, 1971. (Marker Number 780-8.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Notable Places • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the E Clampus Vitus, the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Transcontinental Railroad series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1811.

Location. 38° 38.048′

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N, 121° 24.169′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in North Sacramento. Marker can be reached from Fulton Avenue. Marker is located north of the clubhouse at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3645 Fulton Avenue, Sacramento CA 95821, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dr. Alister MacKenzie (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Michael “Mac” McDonagh (about 300 feet away); Anthony J. “Tom” LoPresti (about 300 feet away); Ken Morton, Sr. (about 300 feet away); Frank C. Freer (about 300 feet away); Rapid Area Maintenance Team (approx. 2.1 miles away); Firehouse (approx. 2.1 miles away); Bachelors' Barracks and Post Exchange (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

More about this marker. This marker was originally placed in August, 1971. Due to vandalism, the plaque was removed for safe keeping in 2006. In March 2009 the John A. Sutter Chapter No.1841 and the Yerba Buena Chapter No.1 of E. Clampus Vitas re-mounted the plaque with stronger construction.

Regarding First Transcontinental Railroad. This site (along with eight additional First Transcontinental Railroad sites) was designated as California Registered Historical Landmark

Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 11, 2009

2. First Transcontinental Railroad Marker

No.780 on November 20, 1962.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . .
1. Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum. Historical Landmarks Relating to the First Transcontinental Railroad. (Submitted on May 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

2. Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum. Locating the Central Pacific Railroad (Submitted on May 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Additional commentary.
1. The Base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains ????
California’s “Big Four”, Charles Crocker, Leland Stanford, Collis Huntington and Mark Hopkins, convinced California’s Survey General that a spot on the Arden Creek, only seven miles from Sacramento, was actually the beginning of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. In doing this, they were able to acquire extra funding from the Federal Government toward the building of the railroad over the mountains. It seems there was a larger subsidy given for mountain construction. These gentlemen were able to convince Washington that a gradual rise in elevation was actually the beginning of the rise to the summit when

Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 11, 2009

3. First Transcontinental Railroad Marker

actually it was a sand bar. Based on this information Abraham Lincoln approved the marking of the site as the beginning of the mountain range and extra funding was approved.

— Submitted May 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 11, 2009

4. Arden Creek

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,575 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.