Oakland in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Western Pacific Mole
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 24, 2014
1. Western Pacific Mole Marker
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Inscription.
Western Pacific Mole. . On a January morning in 1906, two hundred workmen from Western Pacific Railway and thirty armed “company soldiers” landed on the north training wall and began laying track. Although the City of Oakland had invited this action, it was considered a brazen challenge to the Southern Pacific’s long standing monopoly of the waterfront. Southern Pacific promptly sued, claiming ownership of all land along the waterfront. In 1907, the court ruled against Southern Pacific in its suit. The result: Oakland regained control of most of its waterfront. , “The advent of the Western Pacific Railway is epochal... for the system’s coming made it possible for Oakland to recover control and possession of its magnificent waterfront.” – Oakland Mayor Frank K. Mort, 1910. , Sidebar, on left , This is the site of the Western Pacific Mole, which opened in 1910 and extended nearly two-miles out from Oakland’s natural shoreline. The term “mole” refers to an earth or stone-filled breakwater, such as a ferry anchorage, that juts out into deep water. Ferries were crucial to Bay Area transportation until bridges were built in the 1930s. People rode ferries from this location until 1933, when passenger operations were transferred to the Southern Pacific Mole on the north side of Middle Harbor. The passenger terminal was demolished in 1940.
On a January morning in 1906, two hundred workmen from Western Pacific Railway and thirty armed “company soldiers” landed on the north training wall and began laying track. Although the City of Oakland had invited this action, it was considered a brazen challenge to the Southern Pacific’s long standing monopoly of the waterfront. Southern Pacific promptly sued, claiming ownership of all land along the waterfront. In 1907, the court ruled against Southern Pacific in its suit. The result: Oakland regained control of most of its waterfront.
“The advent of the Western Pacific Railway is epochal... for the system’s coming made it possible for Oakland to recover control and possession of its magnificent waterfront.” – Oakland Mayor Frank K. Mort, 1910.
Sidebar, on left
This is the site of the Western Pacific Mole, which opened in 1910 and extended nearly two-miles out from Oakland’s natural shoreline. The term “mole” refers to an earth or stone-filled breakwater, such as a ferry anchorage, that juts out into deep water. Ferries were crucial to Bay Area transportation until bridges were built in the 1930s. People rode ferries from this location until 1933, when passenger operations were transferred to the Southern Pacific Mole on the north side of Middle Harbor. The
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passenger terminal was demolished in 1940.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 37° 48.022′ N, 122° 19.764′ W. Marker is in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. Marker can be reached from Middle Harbor Road near 7th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3660 Middle Harbor Road, Oakland CA 94607, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. This marker is located in Middle Harbor Shoreline Park. To locate this marker take an unnamed road heading south from the USS Oakland mast to the end. From there walk about a 1/4 mile west to the former ferry slip.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 24, 2014
2. Western Pacific Mole Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 24, 2014
3. Western Pacific Ferry Slip
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 24, 2014
4. Southern Pacific Train Tower
This SP train tower is located across Middle Harbor from the Western Pacific Mole at Port View Park.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 24, 2014
5. "Room With a View"
The upper floor of the Western Pacific Train Tower, located at Point View Park, contains a excellent exhibit on the history of the Western Pacific Railway as well as other Bay Area transportation and shipping issues.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 640 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 10, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.