Old Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

California's Big Four

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado

1. California's Big Four Marker

Inscription. Four of the most successful merchants in Sacramento specialized in hardware, dry goods, and groceries. Later known as the “Big Four,” Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins, Collis P. Huntington, and Leland Stanford banded together to convince the United States government of the need for a transcontinental railroad. The four men then secured the right to build the western half of that railroad. Stanford, partly to push the Big Four’s interests, ran for and was elected governor of California and later became a U.S. Senator. Professional help to plan the railroad was found in Theodore Judah, who had already built a twenty-two mile railroad in California that ran from Sacramento to Folsom. These men and their enterprises created the only 19th century force to rival the discovery of gold in shaping the destiny of California.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Southern Pacific Railroad series list.

Location. 38° 34.911′ N, 121° 30.231′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Old Sacramento. Marker can be reached from the intersection of K Street and Interstate 5, on the right when traveling east. The metal marker is along the pedestrian

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walk where K Street extends under the freeway overpass towards downtown. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Transportation Gathers Steam (here, next to this marker); A Multicultural Gold Rush (here, next to this marker); Battling the Elements (here, next to this marker); Raising the City (here, next to this marker); The Sisters of Mercy (here, next to this marker); Business Expands (here, next to this marker); A Capitol Idea (here, next to this marker); Historical Timeline of Sacramento (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

More about this marker. The marker is part of the Historical Timeline of Sacramento.
Inset Image:
Central Pacific Railroad Time Schedule, June 1864 – from the Southern Pacific Railroad Co. Collection

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Historical Timeline of Sacramento

Also see . . .
1. Transcontinental Railroad History. Central Pacific Railroad: Photographic History Museum (Submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

2. Central Pacific Railroad. American-Rails.com

"While the
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

2. California's Big Four Marker
Left of center.
so-called "Big Four"...are credited with financing and constructing the CP, Judah laid the groundwork. As early as 1859 he began lobbying Congress to fund a railroad over the Sierra Nevada's Donner Pass, the only natural passageway through this otherwise impenetrable granite wall."

(Submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Marker Within the Timeline image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023

3. Marker Within the Timeline

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.