Near Groveland in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Hetch Hetchy Railroad
Masterminding the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power Project was the brilliant chief engineer Michael Maurice O’Shaughnessy. One of his first priorities was to build a reliable and high-capacity standard gauge railway that could traverse the rugged terrain even during winter snows.
This 68 mile-long railroad carried timber, concrete and other supplies, along with work crews and visitors, to and from the dam construction site. The railroad’s round-the-clock schedule during all four seasons enabled the dam to be built in just 3½ years.
The Hetch Hetchy Railroad made its last trip in 1947. Tracks were removed to restore the landscape, and recycled parts of it are used today as guardrails to ensure safety along the road to the reservoir.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.
Location. 37° 56.859′ N, 119° 47.273′ W. Marker is near Groveland, California, in Tuolumne County. Marker can be reached from Hetch Hetchy Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Groveland CA 95321, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 18 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. O’Shaughnessy Dam (here, next to this marker); Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and O’Shaughnessy Dam (here, next to this marker); Producing Clean Renewable Energy (here, next to this marker); Water Quality at Hetch Hetchy (here, next to this marker); Trails and Waterfalls (here, next to this marker); John Muir... The Woodcutter (approx. 17.3 miles away); The Ahwahneechee (approx. 17.4 miles away); James Hutchings (approx. 17½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Groveland.
Also see . . .
1. Hetch Hetchy Railroad. The Hetch Hetchy Railroad, a 68 mile standard gauge Class III railroad, operated from 1917 to 1949. (Submitted on July 29, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.)
2. San Francisco Public Library. Historical photographs, mainly of the Hetch Hetchy Railroad. (Submitted on July 29, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 3,221 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 29, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.