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

The Northern Electric Bridge

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

1. The Northern Electric Bridge Marker

Inscription. In 1911, the Northern Electric Railway Company, along with Sacramento and Yolo counties, built the Northern Electric Bridge. The bridge carried a single railroad track with twin motor-vehicle roadways. Pedestrian walks cantilevered from the central support structure. It had two fixed-approach spans, each 125 feet long, with a center draw of 400 feet. The 12-foot square operator’s house, constructed of 4-inch thick concrete, was placed over the center of the structure.
Two 60 HP-D.C. motors mounted in the center pier opened the draw.
This river crossing structure served from 1912 until 1935 when the present Tower Bridge replaced it.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 38° 34.808′ N, 121° 30.438′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Old Sacramento. It can be reached from Capital Mall. This marker is located at the Capital Mall-Front Street entrance to the Water Front Promenade. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Sacramento Valley

and specifically in the Central Valley.

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 walking distance of this marker: The Tower Bridge (here, next to this marker); Tower Bridge: Gateway to the Capital (here, next to this

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marker); View Near the M Street Bridge (here, next to this marker); USS Sacramento (PG-19) (a few steps from this marker); City Wharf and Warehouses (a few steps from this marker); The Interurban Railroad Lines (a few steps from this marker); Sacramento’s Maritime Heritage (a few steps from this marker); The United States Merchant Marine (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

Also see . . . Sacramento History – Sacramento’s Streetcars. (Submitted on February 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

2. The Northern Electric Bridge Marker

This marker is on the right, Tower Bridge: Gateway to the Capital marker is in the center, and another Tower Bridge marker is located on the right.

Close-Up of Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

3. Close-Up of Photo on Marker

The Northern Electric (M Street) Bridge, 1912

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 24, 2009

4. Close-Up of Photo on Marker

The Northern Electric (M Street) Bridge and riverboats tied up to the City Wharf.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,756 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.