El Sobrante in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

California and Nevada Railroad

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 10, 2019

1. California and Nevada Railroad Marker

Inscription. These eucalyptus trees mark the route of the narrow gauge California and Nevada railroad chartered in 1884 to connect California to the Nevada mines.

Only 23 miles of track were completed by 1891 from Emeryville to Bryant now Orinda. In addition to serving the many ranches in the area, the railroad started the custom of picnics and outdoor recreation in San Pablo Creek Valley which continues to this day.

Erected 1971 by El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 37° 56.843′ N, 122° 15.941′ W. Marker is in El Sobrante, California, in Contra Costa County. It can be reached from San Pablo Dam Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6531 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante CA 94803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area and on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic Rancho Boundary Line (approx. 2½ miles away); Dairy Country (approx. 2.7 miles away); Fry's Food Stores and Fry's Electronics (approx. 2.7 miles away); Oliver's Hardware & Service Station (approx. 2.8 miles away); El Sobrante Chevrolet Service

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 2.8 miles away); El Sobrante's First Full-service Post Office (approx. 2.8 miles away); Cowboy Country (approx. 2.9 miles away); El Sobrante's First Bank (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Sobrante.

More about this marker. The marker is located in the Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area, near the north end of the parking lot, in the area that leads from the parking lot to the recreational area. The park has an entrance fee.

Regarding California and Nevada Railroad. It is unclear to which eucalyptus trees the marker refers. The immediate area has numerous such trees, none lining up in any way which would remind one of the rail alignment.

Also see . . . California and Nevada Railroad (Wikipedia). "The California and Nevada Railroad was a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge steam railroad which ran in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 19th century. It was incorporated on March 25, 1884. J.S. Emery was listed as the railroad's president, for which present day Emeryville is named. On March 1, 1885 the track was completed between Oakland

California and Nevada Railroad Marker - wide view, with eucalyptus trees in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 10, 2019

2. California and Nevada Railroad Marker - wide view, with eucalyptus trees in the background

and San Pablo via Emeryville. The track to Oak Grove (present day El Sobrante) was completed on January 1, 1887." (Submitted on May 10, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 331 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 10, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.