Near Ocotillo in Imperial County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Impossible Railroad
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 12, 2022
1. Impossible Railroad Marker
Welcome to Mortero Wash in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The volcanic landscape you see in this section of the desert posed a significant challenge for travelers.
Undeterred, John D. Spreckels had an ambition to build a railroad that crossed this rugged terrain. In his dream, this railroad would connect San Diego to lucrative Eastern markets. Engineers scoffed, calling the idea "the impossible railroad."
From founding day in 1906 until Spreckels himself drove the final golden spike on November 15, 1919, his San Diego and Arizona Railway nearly lived up to its impossible reputation. Just one 11-mile section, which passed through nearby Carrizo Gorge, required 17 tunnels and 14 wooden trestles.
Even today, nature only grudgingly yields to 21st-century travel. Those who persist are rewarded with grand views and evidence of geologic forces as old as eons and as recent as the last rockslide.
Erected by California State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is November 15, 1919.
Location. 32° 47.55′ N, 116° 6.476′ W. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Imperial Valley. It is also in the American Southwest. 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 5 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Imperial Valley Desert Museum (approx. 7.6 miles away); Geoglyphs (approx. 7.6 miles away); Mountain Springs Station Site (approx. 9.2 miles away); Desert Tower (approx. 9.2 miles away); Palm Spring (approx. 10.9 miles away).
courtesy San Diego History Center
2. Marker Detail
"Then he jumped down, stripped off his coat and drove the final spike. It was a real gold one, costing $286, and it was inscribed Spike Driven by John D. Spreckels, President."
- Account of the last spike driven, San Diego & Arizona Railway
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 12, 2022
3. Impossible Railroad Marker
March 12, 2022
4. Marker Detail
Goat Canyon is near the center of this map view.
courtesy Robert Baran, www.anzaborrego.net
5. Marker Detail
The trestle over Goat Canyon, 600 feet long, stretches 200 feet above the canyon floor. It was one of the worlds largest curved, wood trestle bridges in the world.
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 12, 2022
6. Abandoned Railroad
Eno and Matteson, San Diego (courtesy of Trinity College Library/ARTSTOR), circa 1919
7. First Passenger Train over The San Diego and Arizona Railway, The New Short Cut...
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 12, 2022
8. Blue Sunburst Petroglyph
Located 4½ miles southwest of the marker, at Indian Hill Rockshelter.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 7,219 times since then and 274 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 18, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on March 19, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 8. submitted on March 18, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
