Near Paicines in San Benito County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Limekiln Monorail
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 17, 2013
1. Limekiln Monorail Marker
Erected 1979 by Monterey Viejo Chapter No. 1846, E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 36° 41.525′ N, 121° 18.313′ W. Marker is near Paicines, California, in San Benito County. It is on Cienega Road, on the right when traveling north. This marker is located approximately 4 3/4 miles from the intersection of Highway 25, north of the Thousand Trails RV Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Paicines CA 95043, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast and specifically 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Downfall of Tiburcio Vasquez (approx. 2.9 miles away); Tres Pinos/Paicines (approx. 2.9 miles away); New Idria Mine (approx. 2.9 miles away); Palmtag Cutting Shed (approx. 5½ miles away); Cottage Corners
this page online
More about this marker. The location of the Limekiln Monorail marker is also the site of Geocache GC2EYMM. Earlier reports and photographs indicate the marker had suffered much damage from gunfire. The marker seems to have been repaired, but is being overgrown by brush.
Regarding Limekiln Monorail. Contrary to the information on the plaque, the Limekiln Monorail seems to have had more of a career that indicated. See the link.
Also see . . . Tres Pinos Monorail - The Monorail Society. In the March 1958 issue of The Western Railroader, there is an article titled "Lime Kiln Railroad; the Tres Pinos Monorail." (Submitted on January 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed by Lester J Letson, October 25, 2014
2. Limekiln Monorail Marker
Photographed by Frank Gunshow Sanchez, April 14, 2018
3. Limekiln Monorail Marker Re-Dedication
Errata
Oh, where to begin?
Well it started construction and operation in 1891. It wasn't a real monorail but it was still really strange, rather than rail(s), Burt used 4 x 12 lumber laid flat, and parallel with a 4 x 4 inner lining and a 6-inch gap between the two sets of planks. Rather than wheels, the locomotive and cars had rollers with a 6-inch flange in the center that fit into the gap between the planks. Those flanges chewed the unprotected wood so rapidly that the operation could never make a profit. The engine exploded on September 5, 1892, before the construction was completed.
Caveat erector
April 14th, 2018
Monterey Viejo 1846
E Clampus Vitus
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 17, 2013
4. Limekiln Monorail Marker
Photographed by Epic Roadtrips, Unknown
5. The Limekiln Monorail engine
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,222 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on October 27, 2014, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 3. submitted on April 15, 2018, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. 4. submitted on January 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 5. submitted on October 26, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
