Tiburon in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Tiburon's Railroad History
By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 11, 2020
1. Tiburon's Railroad History Marker
(Upper photo:) With the Tiburon Trestle completed, trains first came to Tiburon in 1884. In 1907, the Northwestern Pacific Railroad was formed and Tiburon was fast becoming a "railroad town.” By 1924, four locomotives a day, some pulling as many as 25 cars, rumbled into town to unload their cargo onto ferries that crossed San Francisco Bay to deliver goods - lumber, dairy products and produce - to the city. In addition, Tiburon was the region's maintenance yard, where locomotives were rebuilt and as many as 2,000 railroad cars a month were serviced or completely rebuilt. Now, Shoreline Park and Point Tiburon townhomes occupy the former rail yard.
(Lower left photo:) On June 29, 1913, NWPR Engine No. 112 overloaded rotted pilings and plunged into the bay. She was repaired at the Tiburon rail yard and returned to work for another 39 years. In 1955, No. 112 was beautifully restored and exhibited at Sacramento's California Railroad Museum.
(Lower right photo:) This photo was taken in the 1950s. That's NWPR's Engine No. 3 steaming toward the Tiburon rail yard after a 265-mile run south from Eureka,
By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 11, 2020
2. Tiburon's Railroad History Marker - wide view
The subject marker is the one on the right.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 37° 53.832′ N, 122° 29.293′ W. Marker is in Tiburon, California, in Marin County. Marker is on Tiburon Boulevard, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belvedere Tiburon CA 94920, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. History of the Tiburon Trestle (here, next to this marker); The Trestle and Blackie's Pasture (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hilarita (approx. 1.6 miles away); John Reed's Saw Mill (approx. 1.7 miles away); Reed School (approx. 1.8 miles away); China Cabin (approx. 2.2 miles away); Pacific Mail Steamship China (approx. 2.2 miles away); William Henry Webb (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tiburon.
More about this marker. The marker is located at the end/top of the south end of the berm that formerly supported the track and trestle, in the park known as "Blackie's Pasture". The marker is visible when driving north on Tiburon Boulevard, just before the boulevard makes a 270 degree turn to the west when driving away from Tiburon. However, when in Blackie's Pasture, the marker itself is not easy to see - one needs to walk to the path at the beginning of the berm (path is not marked), but from there it is about a 3 minute gentle uphill walk to the marker.
Courtesy of the Landmarks Archive, circa 1924
3. Marker detail: Upper photo (See marker body text for caption)
Courtesy of the Landmarks Archives, June 29, 1913
4. Marker detail: Lower left photo (See marker body text for caption)
Courtesy of Louise Tether, circa 1950s
5. Marker detail: Lower left photo (See marker body text for caption)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 50 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Sacramento, California.
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