Moraga in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Moraga Station
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 29, 2020
1. Moraga Station Marker
Commuters, high school and St. Mary's College students rode the train in the early days, as well as picnickers going to Madrone and Pinehurst Parks.
In 1939, the Sacramento Northern Railway provided passenger service across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco to Chico, a distance of 183 miles, until 1941.
The Moraga Station was located near Country Club and Viader Drives. It had a platform matching the height of a mail-coach floor, a waiting room, post office boxes and an express agency.
The yard included a siding to a cattle corral and a packing house, plus a track foreman's home and bunk house.
Across the street was the "Moraga Barn" which had a rooming house in back with a kitchen and parlor for 5 track workers. The Moraga Station was torn down in late 1957.
Information provided by the Moraga Historical Society.
Erected by Rotary International, Moraga Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list.
Location.
this page online
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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rainbow Trout Species Identified (approx. 1.8 miles away); Willow Spring School II (approx. 2 miles away); Moraga Train Station (approx. 2 miles away); Moraga Barn (approx. 2 miles away); Old Moraga Townsite (approx. 2 miles away); Joseph Joachin Moraga (approx. 2.3 miles away); Hacienda de las Flores (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Joaquin Moraga Adobe (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moraga.
More about this marker. The marker is located in the play area of Rancho Laguna Park, which is roughly 2 miles from the location of the former station.
Regarding Moraga Station. "The Sacramento Northern in its heyday of the 1930s was the longest electric interurban railroad in the US at 185 miles of mainline from Oakland to Chico, not counting branch lines to Vacaville and Central Valley towns of Vacaville, Woodland, Colusa, and Oroville. Built to steam railroad standards, it had everything: streetcar routes, beautiful varnished, and later steel, interurban cars
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 29, 2020
2. Moraga Station Marker - wide view
The marker has been located next to the play train and play house, with the play house cleverly outfitted with a Moraga Station schedule.
Also see . . .
1. Trains Through Moraga. Moraga Historical Society Newsletter (PDF) (Submitted on July 25, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Sacramento Northern Railroad. Abandoned Rails website entry (Submitted on July 25, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 29, 2020
3. Moraga (Play) Station
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 529 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
