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

Sacramento Valley Railroad

Folsom Historic District

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 12, 2016

1. Sacramento Valley Railroad Marker

Inscription. Completed in 1856, the Sacramento Valley Railroad from Sacramento to Folsom was one of the first railroads constructed west of the Mississippi. The route was surveyed by Theodore Judah, a civil engineer from New York who envisioned a transcontinental railroad connecting the east and west coasts. Judah determined that the best route was from Sacramento along the south bank of the American River, approximately 22 1/2 miles, to Negro Bar, the site that would become Folsom. Prior to construction of the railroad, the railroad's board of directors issued a report to encourage other businessmen to support and fund the development of the railroad. The railroad was constructed from Sacramento to Folsom in order to connect the gold miners in the foothills with the cities of Sacramento and San Francisco. Over 130,000 miners relied upon these cities for their goods. The booming cities of Sacramento and San Srancisco stood to profit from better access to the raw materials of the foothills, including granite, wood, lime, and gold. This access would help fuel the growth of these urban centers.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 38° 40.589′ N, 121° 10.736′ W. Marker is in Folsom, California, in Sacramento

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County. It is on Sutter Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Folsom CA 95630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in Sacramento Valley,

and specifically in the Central Valley.

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 walking distance of this marker: Site of Car/Carpenter Shop (1863) (within shouting distance of this marker); Wells Fargo and Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Turning the Trains (within shouting distance of this marker); Folsom History Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Folsom Pony Express Terminus (within shouting distance of this marker); Turning Locomotives in Folsom (within shouting distance of this marker); W.L. Perkins Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); New Uses on the Rail Yard (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Folsom.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Folsom City (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Sacramento Valley Railroad (1852–1877) (Wikipedia). "The Sacramento Valley Railroad (SVRR) was incorporated on August 4, 1852, the first transit railroad company incorporated in California. Construction did not begin until February 1855 because of financial and right of way issues, and its first train operated on February 22, 1856. Although the oldest

Sacramento Valley Railroad Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 20, 2022

2. Sacramento Valley Railroad Marker - wide view

Since last documented, a building was constructed on the lot directly behind the marker.

working railroad in the state was the Arcata and Mad River Railroad, first operational in December 15, 1854, the Sacramento Valley Railroad was the West's pioneering incorporated railroad, forerunner to the Central Pacific." (Submitted on December 23, 2019.)

2. The Sacramento Valley Railroad, The first railroad of the West (Mountain Democrat). (Submitted on December 23, 2019.)

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 12, 2016

3. Sacramento Valley Railroad Marker - wide view

The Folsom depot is visible in the background.

Theodore Judah carte de visite image. Click for full size.

Carleton E. Watkins (photo courtesy of the California State Library), circa 1858

4. Theodore Judah carte de visite

This card is the source for the image on the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 840 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 23, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2. submitted on February 24, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3, 4. submitted on December 23, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.