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

First Transcontinental Railroad

Alameda Terminal

Photographed by Mathew H. Kohnen, circa December 1, 2014

1. First Transcontinental Railroad Marker

Inscription. On September 6, 1869 first Transcontinental Railroad train linking two great oceans, and consisting of twelve cars and three locomotives passed here on way to a wharf terminal west of here, a location now covered by lagoon for take-off trans-Pacific planes, and within confines present U.S. Naval Air Station. Original celebration held near this spot.

Erected 1951 by California Centennials Commission, and Alameda Historical Society. (Marker Number 440.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 6, 1869.

Location. 37° 46.521′ N, 122° 16.615′ W. Marker is in Alameda, California, in Alameda County. It is in West Alameda. It is at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Webster Street, on the right when traveling west on Lincoln Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1601 Webster St, Alameda CA 94501, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Croll's (approx. ¼ mile away); 930 Pacific Avenue (approx. 0.4 miles away); U.S. Maritime Officers Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jean Sweeney - Alameda's "Little Engine That Could"

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(approx. 0.7 miles away); History of the Alameda Belt Line (approx. 0.7 miles away); Wilver Dornel “Willie” Stargell (approx. ¾ mile away); Alameda: Bay Area Aviation Center (approx. 1.2 miles away); Seaplane Lagoon (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alameda.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Skippy Peanut Butter (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. This is California Historical Landmark No. 440 - Alameda Terminal of the First Transcontinental Railroad.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. — Alameda Terminus of the First Transcontinental Railroad

Additional keywords. California Historical Landmark

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

2. First Transcontinental Railroad Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,002 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 20, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.