Danville in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
San Ramon Southern Pacific Station
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 14, 2024
1. San Ramon Southern Pacific Station Marker
A Southern Pacific standard design station #18 depot like the one in Danville stood just south of here until the unused depot was demolished in 1927. Unique to San Ramon was a gallows turn-table and a shed to store the engine overnight. San Ramon was the end of the line until 1909 when the railroad was extended to Pleasanton. Historic San Ramon was ½ mile west down Depot Road (Fostoria Way).
The branch line closed in 1978. Today the Iron Horse Regional Trail follows the original railroad tracks.
Erected 2022 by San Ramon Valley Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Southern Pacific Railroad series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 37° 47.129′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of San Ramon Grammar School (approx. 0.6 miles away); A.J. Young House (approx. 2 miles away); Podva Farmhouse (approx. 2.2 miles away); Site of Sycamore School (approx. 2.3 miles away); Historical Point of Interest (approx. 2.4 miles away); Athan Downs (approx. 2.6 miles away); Bret Harte Park
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 14, 2024
2. San Ramon Southern Pacific Station Marker
Also see . . .
1. The San Ramon Valley Branch. Abandoned Rails
"This part of Contra Costa County never realized industrial development to support use of the railroad beyond a secondary branch line, and much of the area was developed into a residential area with single family homes. By the mid-1970s, the southern section of the branch was used for surplus car storage, and the line was abandoned in 1978."(Submitted on July 21, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)
2. The History of the San Ramon Branch Line in the San Ramon Valley. YouTube Video
"Presented by Steve Lane and Paul Ingraham of the San Ramon Valley Branch Model Train Group."(Submitted on July 21, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)
3. Iron Horse Regional Trail. East Bay Regional Parks District
"This multi-use, whole-access trail between the cities of Concord and Pleasanton follows the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way established in 1891 and abandoned in 1978."(Submitted on July 21, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 431 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.
