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

Did You Know that Orinda Once Had a Railroad?

The California and Nevada Railroad

— Landmarking Orinda's History —

Did You Know that Orinda Once Had a Railroad? Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, January 30, 2020

1. Did You Know that Orinda Once Had a Railroad? Marker

Inscription. Just east of this monument is the last remaining original post from the C&N Railroad trestle structure. The C&N 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 first part of the narrow gauge track was completed between Oakland and San Pablo via Emeryville. The track to Oak Grove (present day El Sobrante) was completed on January 1, 1887.

The C&N ultimately ran 23 miles between Emeryville and Orinda hauling farm produce and passengers. The first train steamed into Orinda in 1891. For several years, trainloads of picnickers made this community a Sunday destination. Investors had big plans for this little railroad; it was originally intended to run from Emeryville via Sonora Pass to Bodie and on to Colorado for connection with the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. Financial difficulties, a lack of patronage and winter floods dashed these plans and the railroad ceased operations in 1904. This plaque stands as a monument to the history of this community.

Erected 2019 by Aidan Swenson.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1887.

Location. 37° 53.019′

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

N, 122° 11.302′ W. Marker is in Orinda, California, in Contra Costa County. Marker can be reached from Orinda Way. The marker is located in Orinda Community Park, towards the rear of the park, near the tennis courts. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 28 Orinda Way, Orinda CA 94563, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Orinda Village (within shouting distance of this marker); 1925 Orinda Union School (within shouting distance of this marker); Orinda School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Community Park (about 300 feet away); 1923 The Fire House (about 500 feet away); Santa Maria Church Bell (about 600 feet away); 1958 The Orinda Library (about 700 feet away); 1923 Miss Graham's Riding Academy (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orinda.

More about this marker. The marker was designed, funded, and produced by Aidan Swenson as an Eagle Scout project, and installed in March, 2019.

Also see . . . California and Nevada Railroad (Wikipedia). (Submitted on January 30, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.)

Did You Know that Orinda Once Had a Railroad? Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, January 30, 2020

2. Did You Know that Orinda Once Had a Railroad? Marker - wide view

Trestle Remnant image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, January 30, 2020

3. Trestle Remnant

As mentioned on the marker, there is a remnant of one of the line's trestles, within shouting distance of the marker. As can be seen from the photo, it is rather underwhelming. However, the Orinda City Council designated the remnant as an historic landmark, No. 16-06, in December 2016. Note, the trestle may be on private property - the boundary between the park and the adjacent residential complex is unfenced, and it is unclear where the property line is located.

Marker inset: Map of completed sections of C&N Railroad image. Click for full size.

4. Marker inset: Map of completed sections of C&N Railroad

<i>Trestle bridge of California & Nevada Railroad</i> (Orinda) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By California and Nevada Railroad n- Kevin Bunker: Pre-1895 Railroads & Steam Engines (via Wikipedia)

5. Trestle bridge of California & Nevada Railroad (Orinda)

Note that although this was not noted by Wikipedia, the photo was taken in Orinda, as the DeLaVeaga station is visible in the distance. The same photo was used on this and the Bryant Station marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 447 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 30, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.