Orinda in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The de Laveaga Station

1880s

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 27, 2023

1. The de Laveaga Station Marker

Inscription. The de Laveaga train station, built in the 1880s, is the last remaining station of the narrow gauge California and Nevada Railroad line that linked Emeryville to Orinda. Passengers often traveled to Orinda on weekends for picnics and vacations in the countryside. This building was preserved on the de Laveaga property until it was donated to the City of Orinda in 2000 and moved to its present location. The Bryant Station was the “end of the line” before the train reversed direction and made the return trip to Emeryville going backward.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 37° 52.813′ N, 122° 10.883′ W. Marker is in Orinda, California, in Contra Costa County. Marker is at the intersection of Bates Boulevard and Davis Road, on the right when traveling south on Bates Boulevard. The resin marker is mounted to a wood post in front of the station building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orinda CA 94563, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The deLaveaga Station (within shouting distance of this marker); The Orinda Theatre, 1941 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bryant Station Site (about 500 feet away); Pony Express (approx. 0.2 miles away);

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a different marker also named The Pony Express (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Crossroads (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Downtown (approx. 0.2 miles away); Orinda Mural (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orinda.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The deLaveaga Station

Also see . . .
1. The Story of the California-Nevada Railroad.

"'We have found that a railroad train is very convenient even if it is not always on time. And that a railroad not on time is better than no train at all' ~ Hayseed Siftings, Orinda Park, CA, April 1893."

(Submitted on May 3, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

2. California & Nevada Railroad. Pacific Coast Narrow Gauge

"By April 1891 trains were running regularly and track was constructed to De Laveaga, a county home of a San Francisco businessman. By November 1891 tracks had reached Bryant's (Orinda) bypassing the old alignment to Charles Hill and Lafayette in favor of a new alignment into the Moraga Ranch. Trains continued to operate on an uneven schedule. Maintenance
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 27, 2023

2. The de Laveaga Station Marker
of the track and rolling stock had been deferred and reports of passenger cars overturning, children killed, cows killed and near accidents became frequent in the press."

(Submitted on May 3, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

The de Laveaga Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 27, 2023

3. The de Laveaga Station

Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.