Agnew in Santa Clara in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Agnew Depot

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado

1. Agnew Depot Marker

Inscription. In 1876 the South Pacific Coast Narrow Gauge Railroad laid track between Alameda and Santa Cruz. Abram Agnew, who farmed 120 acres along the route, gave four acres to the railroad for a station and later laid out the town of Agnew.

The depot building, connected by a wooden loading dock to the warehouse, was constructed between 1877 and 1878. A team of draft horses hauled freight cars from the depot down a short branch line to the Lick Paper Mills and the State Asylum to the East. The South Pacific Coast merged with Southern Pacific Railroad in 1887. In 1906 the tracks were converted to standard gauge. The building was purchased by the California Central Model Railroad Club in 1963.

Erected 1988 by City of Santa Clara Historical and Landmarks Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 37° 23.614′ N, 121° 57.496′ W. Marker is in Santa Clara, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Agnew. It is on Bassett Street south of Ash Street, on the left when traveling south. The plaque is mounted to the left front of the depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4185 Bassett Street, Santa Clara CA 95054, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Silicon Valley,

and on the Coast Ranges.

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

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walking distance of this marker: Superintendent's Residence (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Administration Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Life at Agnews: Change Over a Century (approx. 0.2 miles away); Recent History of Agnews (approx. 0.2 miles away); Early History of Agnews (approx. 0.2 miles away); Agnews: A Century of Service (approx. 0.2 miles away); Agnews Today: The Legacy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Auditorium (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Clara.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Lick Mill and Granary

Also see . . .
1. South Pacific Coast Railroad.

"The South Pacific Coast Railroad was probably the most successful narrow gauge railroad in California history. Built by Comstock Lode millionaire James Fair (known variously as either “Slippery Jim” or “Sunny Jim”) and his front man, Alfred “Hog” Davis, it ran from Alameda to Santa Cruz, a distance of 80 miles."

(Submitted on April 10, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

2. Railroads: South Pacific Coast Railroad. Santa Cruz Trains

"Davis planned for the railroad to run from Alameda Point near Oakland almost directly south through San José and through the Santa Cruz Mountains
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023

2. Agnew Depot Marker
to Santa Cruz. At this time, Santa Cruz still sat outside Southern Pacific's control, although that would not remain the case for long."

(Submitted on April 10, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

3. The South Pacific Coast Railroad. Abandoned Rails

"Completed to the coastal resort town of Santa Cruz in May of 1880, the South Pacific Coast was an engineering marvel for its time. With a ruling grade of just 1.5% through the mountains, (the Central Pacific's famed Overland Route could only claim 2.25%), the route boasted 70 mile-per-hour operating speeds and featured seven tunnels with two bores stretching more than a mile each."

(Submitted on April 10, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023

3. Agnew Depot

Northeast corner

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023

4. Agnew Depot

Southwest corner

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023

5. Agnew Depot

South side

Lick Mill to the East image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023

6. Lick Mill to the East

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 744 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 10, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.