Southside Park in Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
California’s First Passenger Railroad
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 5, 2019
1. California’s First Passenger Railroad Marker
The Sacramento Valley Railroad running from Sacramento to Folsom, was begun at this site on February 12, 1855. Here, at Third and R Streets, was located the Sacramento passenger terminal. The turntable and freight depot were at Third and Front Streets. Completion of the railroad was celebrated at Folsom on February 22, 1856.
Erected 1955 by The California State Park Commission in cooperation with The Sacramento County Historical Society, February 12, 1955. (Marker Number 526.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Pony Express National Historic Trail series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1862.
Location. 38° 34.44′ N, 121° 30.406′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Southside Park. Marker is at the intersection of R Street and 3rd Street, on the left when traveling west on R Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. R Street Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Transportation by Water and Land (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Street Lights
this page online
Regarding California’s First Passenger Railroad. The Sacramento Valley Railroad had been completed in 1856, largely with the aid of San Francisco capital. It was the first commercial railroad west of the Mississippi, and also carried the Pony Express Mail to its terminus at Folsom.
Also see . . .
1. Building the Sacramento Valley Railroad. Pacific Coast Chapter, Railway & Locomotive Historical Society website archive entry:
During the great Gold Rush of 1849, the Sacramento and the Feather Rivers became the main arteries of transportation, serving the great interior valley and the foothill region beyond. With the phenomenal growth of the area, shipping conditions, by 1852, were becoming acute. The lack of dependable supply was seriously hampering the growth of both Sacramento and Marysville, the two
Photographed By Syd Whittle, February 11, 2009
2. California’s First Passenger Railroad Marker
2. Folsom, El Dorado and Sacramento Historical Railroad Association. Organization website homepage (Submitted on November 21, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Syd Whittle, February 11, 2009
3. California’s First Passenger Railroad Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, February 11, 2009
4. California’s First Passenger Railroad Marker
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 5, 2019
5. California’s First Passenger Railroad Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 25, 2009
6. Folsom Terminal Marker in Leidesdorff Plaza, Folsom
The Folsom Terminal of the Sacramento Valley Railroad
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
California State Library - Archives and the Folsom History Museum, circa 1869
7. Sacramento Valley Railroad, Engine 162
February 7, 1856
8. Sacramento Valley Railroad Advertisement
Sandwiched between advertisements for three entire squares of ground and the sale of 20 firkins of butter is an advertisement the Sacramento Valley Railroad ran in the Sacramento Daily Union (2/7/1856), prior to the opening of the railroad (scheduled for 2/20/1856).
The Sacramento Daily Union ran a short story on March 13, 1856, reading as follows: "The daily trains of the Sacramento Railroad make their trips with great regularity. As an instance of their punctuality and speed, we may mention that on yesterday the cars left Folsom at fifty-eight minutes past 4 o'clock (two minutes before their set time,) and reached Sacramento in fifty-five minutes thereafter - distance twenty-two miles...." In comparison, 153 years later, the Sacramento Regional Transit light rail Gold Line schedule indicates that a trip between the Sacramento Valley Station and Folsom takes between 55 and 63 minutes, depending on time of day.
The Sacramento Daily Union ran a short story on March 13, 1856, reading as follows: "The daily trains of the Sacramento Railroad make their trips with great regularity. As an instance of their punctuality and speed, we may mention that on yesterday the cars left Folsom at fifty-eight minutes past 4 o'clock (two minutes before their set time,) and reached Sacramento in fifty-five minutes thereafter - distance twenty-two miles...." In comparison, 153 years later, the Sacramento Regional Transit light rail Gold Line schedule indicates that a trip between the Sacramento Valley Station and Folsom takes between 55 and 63 minutes, depending on time of day.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,373 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 5, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on August 5, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 6. submitted on February 11, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 7. submitted on February 12, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 8. submitted on February 24, 2009.
