Tiburon in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Waving Back (Circa 1950)
Compare Then and Now
— The Tiburon Historical Trail —
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, July 30, 2022
1. Waving Back Marker
“That’s me. I have many happy memories of running down to the road to wave to the trains. Suzie Wosser, Jeff Teather and I did that at least once a day when we weren’t in school.”
Meredith (Linman) Rolfe
Four trains a day rumbled into town. This is Northwestern Pacific train No.3, coming from Eureka, headed for the Tiburon yards. The engineer pulls the cord of his steam whistle. A little girl waves back. This picture represents a memory many people on the Tiburon Peninsula hold dear.
The Tiburon Historical Trail
The Tiburon Historical Trail as a joint project of the Tiburon Peninsula Foundation and the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society. This trail runs between Blackie’s Pasture and the Donahue Depot in downtown Tiburon. The early photographs below were taken from the location of this panel.
Erected by Tiburon Peninsula Foundation and Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society. (Marker Number 4.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Northwestern Pacific Railroad series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.
Location. 37° 53.184′ N, 122° 28.49′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Boat Works (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Gives Way to Strollers, Cyclists and Joggers (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hilarita (approx. 0.6 miles away); Del Mar (approx. 0.7 miles away); Reed School (approx. 0.7 miles away); Feed Lot For Oysters (approx. 0.8 miles away); Welcome to Trestle Trail (approx. one mile away); Saving and Protecting Our Bay (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tiburon.
Also see . . .
1. Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society. Website homepage:
"The Northwestern Pacific Railroad, the 'Redwood Empire Route', played a major role in the growth of Northern California. The line was created in 1907 through the consolidation of six separate picturesque railroad companies held by the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific railroads."(Submitted on August 15, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, July 30, 2022
2. Waving Back Marker
2. Northwestern Pacific Railroad. Wikipedia entry:
"...it became clear that only one railroad would be profitable serving Mendocino and Humboldt Counties, so the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe entered into a joint agreement, and in 1906 merged 42 railroad companies between Marin and Humboldt Bay to create one railroad line stretching from Sausalito to Eureka. Completion of the project was disrupted by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake; plans and right-of-way documents were destroyed in the subsequent fire."(Submitted on August 15, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)
October 18, 2022
3. NWP Logo
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 3. submitted on October 18, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
