Central Business District in Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Western Pacific Railroad

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 17, 2020

1. Western Pacific Railroad Marker

Inscription. In 1909, Western Pacific Railroad built a freight depot near the Sacramento waterfront and began rail service to R Street. The rail line ran on the back side of the buildings on the north side of R Street, parallel to Whitney Alley. The line extended from 7th Street to 19th Street where the tracks connected to Western Pacific's mainline.

Over 70 years, Western Pacific's rail line transported goods for numerous warehouses and production facilities that flourished on R Street.

Today the Sacramento Regional Transit District utilizes Western Pacific's former rail right-of-way from 10th to 19th streets for its light rail transit system.

Erected 2011 by City of Sacramento, Capitol Area Redevelopment Authority.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 38° 34.249′ N, 121° 29.672′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in the Central Business District. It is at the intersection of R Street and 12th Street, on the right when traveling west on R Street. Touch for map. Marker

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is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95811, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the 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,

on 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: Historic Businesses 11th to 12th Street, South (a few steps from this marker); Historic Businesses 12th to 13th Street, North (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Elizabeth Portuguese National Church (about 400 feet away); Theodore Judah (about 400 feet away); City's First Southern Flood Levee (about 400 feet away); Historic Businesses 12th to 13th Streets, South (about 400 feet away); Historic Businesses 10th to 11th Streets, North (about 500 feet away); Fremont Cash Grocery (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

Also see . . . Western Pacific Railroad (Wikipedia).

Western Pacific Railroad Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 17, 2020

2. Western Pacific Railroad Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here in the left foreground, embedded in the sidewalk.

"The Western Pacific Railroad (reporting mark WP) was a Class I railroad in the United States. It was formed in 1903 as an attempt to break the near-monopoly the Southern Pacific Railroad had on rail service into northern California. WP's Feather River Route directly competed with SP's portion of the Overland Route for rail traffic between Salt Lake City/Ogden, Utah, and Oakland, California, for nearly 80 years. In 1982, the Western Pacific was acquired by the Union Pacific Corporation and it was soon merged into their Union Pacific Railroad. The Western Pacific was one of the original operators of the California Zephyr." (Submitted on January 19, 2020.)

Former right of way utilized by the Western Pacific Railroad - looking north from 12th Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 17, 2020

3. Former right of way utilized by the Western Pacific Railroad - looking north from 12th Street

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 383 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.