Soledad in Monterey County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Railroad Station Site

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, January 16, 2010

1. Railroad Station Site Marker

Inscription. Southern Pacific Railroad reached Soledad in 1873. Until 1886, Soledad was the transportation hub for the Southern Monterey County.

Erected by Soledad Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 36° 25.597′ N, 121° 19.757′ W. Marker is in Soledad, California, in Monterey County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Front Street on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Soledad CA 93960, 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. Cesar Chavez Park (within shouting distance of this marker); One Voice Murals Project (approx. ¼ mile away); Mission Nuestra Señora Dolorosísima de la Soledad (approx. 2 miles away); Padre Florencio Ibanez (approx. 2.1 miles away); Jose Joaquin de Arrillaga (approx. 2.1 miles away); The De Anza Expedition in Soledad (approx. 2.1 miles away); Site of Original Church (approx. 2.1 miles away); El Camino Real Bell (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Soledad.

Also see . . . Railroads of the Central Coast--An Overview. The Monterey County Historical Society's history of the area's rail

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transportation. On the formation of the Southern Pacific and the construction of rail routes south of the San Francisco Bay Area:"...By 1868, the three Southern Pacific entrepreneurs... were not only running scheduled passenger service on the San Francisco-San Jose line, but had formed a third railroad, the Santa Clara and Pajaro Valley, to lay track to Gilroy. From there they had surveyed a route from Gilroy through present San Benito County and Pacheco Pass, down the San Joaquin Valley and over the Tehachapis to join the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad at Needles. In 1870 the Central Pacific bought out the two operating and the third planned railroad, merged them under one company, the Southern Pacific. The new Southern Pacific then announced plans to build a coast route from San Francisco to Los Angeles, opening the entire western coast for settlement. The coast route was extended from Gilroy to Hollister on July 13, 1871; to Pajaro Junction on November 27, 1871; to Salinas on November 1, 1872; and to Soledad on August 12, 1873. Southern Pacific ran one train daily in each direction on this route, consuming 6 hours 45 minutes for the one-way trip. In addition, by 1879 seven additional trains ran between intermediate points on the line...." (Submitted on January 25, 2010.)

Railroad Station Site Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, January 16, 2010

2. Railroad Station Site Marker - Wide View

The marker is located on the northern edge of Cesar Chavez Park, visible here behind and to the left of the clock, just to the left of the bench.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,099 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.